by Connie Mason
“I know it, love,” Reed soothed. “There’s no woman as independent as you. Until your life is more settled, let me take care of you the same way you took care of me. How soon can you be ready to leave?”
Fleur gave a resigned sigh. There was no arguing with Reed. “I’ll fetch my shawl.”
Moments later Fleur was seated beside Reed in his fancy phaeton, on her way to Bond Street. He pulled out of traffic and parked in front of a shop with a sign proclaiming it to be Madame Henrietta’s Establishment for Discerning Women.
Reed set the brake, jumped down and walked around to hand Fleur down. Then he escorted her into the plush interior of the shop. Madame Henrietta herself met them at the door.
“Lord Hunthurst, welcome. Whom do you bring me today?” she asked in heavily accented English.
Fleur sent Reed a startled look. “You’ve been here before.”
Reed shrugged. “I’ve been here a time or two with Helen and Violet. I sometimes act as their escort.”
“Madame Henrietta, I present to you Countess Fleur Fontaine.”
Henrietta’s eyes sparkled. “Ah, a fellow émigré.”
“No, not exactly,” Fleur explained. “I am an Englishwoman once wed to a Frenchman. I am now a widow and have just recently returned to England.”
“Ah, that explains the black gown. And now you are out of mourning and wish for something less depressing. Something in mauve or gray, perhaps?”
“No,” Reed cut in. “The countess needs an entire wardrobe in a variety of colors, one fit for her station in life.”
Madame Henrietta raised an elegant brow, as if to question Fleur’s ability to pay for a costly new wardrobe.
“I will bring the countess’s companion in for new clothing after she recovers from her mal de mer. You are to bill everything to me and send it to my man of business.”
“Reed—Lord Hunthurst, I cannot accept your charity,” Fleur demurred.
“We will settle this later, Fleur,” Reed said for her ears alone.
Henrietta clapped her hands, and an assistant appeared from behind a curtain. “Take Countess Fontaine to a fitting room and measure her. I will be there directly.”
Fleur sent Reed a speaking glance before following the assistant behind the curtain.
“Do not spare any cost,” Reed informed the proprietor. “I want Fleur outfitted with walking costumes, ballgowns, day dresses, morning gowns, riding habits and appropriate undergarments. Do you have a gown or two already made up? The countess needs something decent to wear immediately.”
Henrietta’s eyes sparkled. “I do indeed. I have two ready-made gowns that would look stunning on the countess. One in blue-and-gold striped satin and the other in flocked muslin.”
“Good. If they fit or can be altered quickly, we’ll take them. As for patterns, I believe Fleur’s taste to be impeccable. She will know which patterns and materials will look best on her. I’m sure she’ll object to ordering more than two gowns, but do not listen to her. Watch her closely for her likes and dislikes and make up what she likes regardless of her wishes. You will be amply compensated for your attention to her needs.”
“I understand perfectly, my lord.”
Fleur returned a few minutes later. Henrietta seated her at a table with a pile of pattern books and fashion dolls while she collected material swatches. When Fleur paused overlong over a pattern or material swatch, Reed caught Henrietta’s eye and nodded. In turn, Henrietta scribbled notes in her notebook. Thus the morning progressed. After Fleur had chosen two daytime frocks and a somewhat fancier one for nighttime outings, she pronounced herself finished.
Reed exchanged a look with Henrietta over Fleur’s head that said otherwise. “Madame Henrietta has two gowns already made up that might fit you. Try them on, Fleur. Anything would be better than what you’re wearing. Although black suits you rather well, I know you’re eager for something colorful.”
“The gowns I just ordered will be sufficient for my needs,” Fleur demurred.
“Humor me,” Reed said. “Surely you don’t want to visit Lord Porter wearing widow’s weeds, do you?”
Reluctantly Fleur agreed and accompanied Henrietta behind the curtain. Both gowns fit her. She was particularly taken with the blue-and-gold striped walking dress.
“The gown suits you,” Henrietta complimented.
Fleur thought so too. “It’s lovely. I haven’t worn a gown as pretty as this since . . . ” Her words fell off. She didn’t want to think of Pierre and the turmoil that followed his death.
“Will you wear it? I’m sure Lord Hunthurst will approve.”
“It’s far too costly,” Fleur said, fingering the fine material of the skirt. “But,” she added, “I do need something quickly.”
“It’s settled then. What should I do with the black gown you wore when you arrived?”
Fleur wrinkled her nose. “Donate it to charity.”
Fleur never wanted to see it again. Somehow she would repay Reed for her new wardrobe. She hoped to gain at least five thousand pounds from the sale of her jewelry. The emeralds and sapphires were especially lovely. Then she and Lisette could retire to the country and live a simple life with her Aunt Charlotte.
Reed nearly lost the ability to speak when Fleur appeared from behind the curtain. Though she looked lovely in black, the fashionable blue-and-gold gown instantly transformed her. Her creamy complexion glowed. Her warm brown eyes sparkled mischievously as she spun around in a circle for his inspection and approval.
“That gown was made for you,” Reed said. “No other woman would look as magnificent in it as you.”
“Flatterer,” Fleur teased. “It does feel rather wonderful to wear something attractive again,” she admitted.
“Did the flocked muslin fit?” Reed asked. “Did you like it?”
“Oh, yes, but I like this one better.”
“You shall have both,” Reed decided. “Wrap the other gown, Madame Henrietta. We’ll take it with us.”
“No, Reed, there’s still Lisette to clothe. I cannot afford both gowns with everything else I ordered.”
“I said we’d discuss this later,” Reed said rather sternly.
Before Fleur could reply, the door opened, admitting two women chatting animatedly with each other. Both were quite lovely. And when they saw Reed, they stopped talking and stared at him.
“Reed, where have you been?” the elder of the two asked. “You never showed up to escort us to that rout you agreed to attend.”
Reed bowed before the women. “Forgive me, Helen. I was called out of town unexpectedly.”
“You could have at least sent a message,” the younger woman said, sending Reed a flirty smile.
Both women looked pointedly at Fleur, their curiosity blatant. “Forgive me again, ladies. I present to you Countess Fleur Fontaine. Fleur, this is my sister-in-law, Lady Helen Harwood, and her sister, Lady Violet Dewberry.”
All three women made their curtsies. “Why have I never heard of the countess?” Violet asked. Her voice held an edge Fleur did not understand. Was the woman jealous of her? Was there an understanding between Violet and Reed?
Fleur’s thoughts were shattered when Madame Henrietta handed the package containing the flocked muslin to Reed.
Violet glared at the package, then at Fleur. “You’ve never bought clothing for me, Reed. What is this woman to you?”
Reed gave an exasperated sigh. He didn’t have time for Violet’s foolishness. “I don’t owe you an explanation, Violet. We must be going.”
“Reed,” Helen said, placing a hand on his arm. “Will you call on me? I need to speak to you about my allowance. It’s insufficient for my needs. If you can purchase clothing for this . . . this woman, you can afford to be more generous with your brother’s wife.”
“That’s enough, Helen. I’ll call on you as soon as I’m able. Meanwhile, you might try curtailing your spending. Good day, ladies.”
Grasping Fleur’s arm, he escorted her from the
shop. “Are you and Lady Violet an item?” Fleur asked.
“Lady Violet is nothing to me,” Reed denied. “I’m unattached, even though Grandmamma is doing all she can to alter my unwed state.” Reed handed her into his phaeton, climbed onto the driver’s bench and took up the reins. “I’ll introduce you to Grandmamma soon. You’ll like her.”
“Where are we going now?”
“A visit to the cobbler is in order, then on to the milliner. You need slippers, half-boots for walking and bonnets that aren’t black.”
“Reed, I can’t afford all that!”
“Maybe not, but I can. You’ll be decked out in the latest style when we call on Lord Porter tomorrow.”
Her lips flattened. “I need to sell my jewelry before we do any more shopping.”
Reed sent her a look that made her wonder what he was about. “Trust me to see to your jewelry, love. I’ll take care of everything. If you go alone, you’ll only be taken advantage of. Updike is knowledgeable about these things. I’ll let him handle the sale. How much do you hope to gain from your jewels? Do you have a set amount in mind?”
“The emeralds and sapphires are Fontaine family heirlooms. I cannot put a price on them. Pierre presented them to me upon our marriage. Others I received as gifts. It’s only due to Pierre’s prior planning that I escaped with them intact. I don’t expect to receive what they’re worth, but I’m hoping for five thousand pounds for the lot.”
“Hmmm, five thousand pounds seems reasonable enough. I’m sure Updike will do well for you. Shall we have something to eat before we finish our shopping?”
Reed took her to a popular inn, where they lunched on a delicious pigeon pie and berry cobbler floating in Devonshire cream. After lunch, Reed drove her to a cobbler on Bond Street where he ordered several pairs of slippers and stylish half-boots. Then it was on to the milliner, where Reed insisted she purchase several fashionable bonnets. By the time they returned to Reed’s townhouse, Fleur’s head was spinning. The whirl of shopping had exhausted her. After a visit to Lisette’s chamber reassured Fleur that her companion was well on her way to recovery, she retired to her own chamber. She removed her gown so she wouldn’t wrinkle it and collapsed on the bed. She had gotten precious little sleep the night before and fell asleep almost immediately. She didn’t even have time to worry about how she was going to pay for all the finery she had purchased.
Reed retired to his study and summoned Updike. “Lady Fleur has some family heirlooms she wishes to sell. Emeralds and sapphires, I believe, along with some less valuable baubles. I’ve locked them away for safekeeping.”
“You wish me to sell them for the lady?” Updike asked. “I know several establishments that buy valuables émigrés smuggle out of France.”
“I’m sure you do, but I’m not going to sell Fleur’s jewels. I just want her to think they’ve been sold. I’m warning you in advance in case she asks you about them. If she does, you’re to tell her you’re handling it.”
Updike frowned. “What do you intend, my lord?”
“I’m going to give Fleur the money myself. I owe her more than I can ever repay. And since she won’t accept my money, I’ll keep her jewels in my safe until such time as she will agree to take them back.”
“Very well, my lord, I will do as you say. Will the ladies be staying with us?”
“I doubt I can keep them here more than another day or two. Fleur is eager to move on.”
Updike cleared his throat. “Ahem, you seem particularly fond of the countess. Why don’t you marry her? Your grandmother would be ecstatic.”
Reed stared down at his hands. He would marry Fleur in a minute if she could give him an heir. He thought about the obstacle that stood in his way and wondered if it really mattered. He could adopt any number of orphans and name one of them his heir. Or he could let his cousin Gallard inherit from him.
“My lord?” Updike said, reminding him of the question hanging in the air.
“It’s complicated, Updike. Suffice it to say there are obstacles to a marriage between us.” Reed stood. “That’s all, Updike. I need to visit my bank before it closes.”
Fleur opened her eyes, aware that someone had entered her bedchamber. “Are you awake, ma petite?”
“Lisette, what are you doing up?”
“Lying in bed does not make sense when one feels well. I feel perfectly fine now, Fleur. In fact, I intend to join you and his lordship for dinner tonight. I came to see if you are ready.”
Fleur rubbed her eyes. “I will be as soon as I wash my face and put on my new gown.”
Lisette fingered the fine material of the dress. “And a fine gown it is. Did you sell your jewels?”
“Not yet, but Reed has set Updike to the task. It seems he knows how such things are accomplished.”
“Will we be moving to a hotel or inn soon?” Lisette asked.
“I shall post a letter to my aunt tomorrow. We will stay at a hotel until I hear from Aunt Charlotte. I’m sure she will invite us to join her in the country. She’s a wonderful woman.
“I wrote her after Pierre died but didn’t receive an answer. I sent several more letters through Andre but have no idea if they got through to her. I hope she is well.”
“I hope so too. You know I will go wherever you go,” Lisette assured her.
Fleur finished her ablutions quickly. Lisette was fastening her new striped silk gown when Peg came to fetch them for dinner. When they followed her to the dining room, they found Reed already there. He stood when the ladies entered.
“Lisette, how good to see you looking so well. Mrs. Peabody told me you were feeling better.”
“I am quite cured, my lord. You have been very kind to us.”
“I am the one who is in your debt.” He seated them, then took his own place at the head of the table.
The first course was served, a delicious mushroom soup. The meal progressed to the dessert with little conversation. Reed dismissed the footman, then casually announced, “Updike got a good price for your jewels. He knew just where to take them.”
Fleur’s attention sharpened. “Already? Did he get as much for them as I hoped?”
“More. He sold everything for seven thousand pounds.”
“Seven thousand!” Fleur gasped. “I shall thank him most profusely. That’s more than I anticipated. Lisette and I will seek other accommodations tomorrow.”
“There’s no hurry,” Reed said.
“I don’t wish to intrude upon your life. Once I hear from my aunt, we will relocate to her home in the country. A little peace and quiet is what Lisette and I need right now. Unless,” Fleur added hopefully, “Lord Porter has an assignment for me.”
“You can forget about another assignment,” Reed shot back. “I won’t let you put yourself in danger again.”
Lisette glanced from Fleur to Reed and back again to Fleur. “Excuse me,” she said. “I believe it’s time to retire to my bedchamber.”
“I’ll go with you,” Fleur offered.
“Non, I know the way. Stay and converse with his lordship, ma petite.”
Reed rose, pulled out Lisette’s chair and handed her over to the footman waiting outside the door. “Please see Madame Lisette to her chamber.” Once they were gone, he held out his arm to Fleur. “Shall we retire, my love?”
Fleur knew exactly what Reed had in mind. The hunger in his expression spoke volumes. Her mouth went dry, and her skin felt so sensitive she feared she would shatter if Reed touched her. Unable to resist the sensual promise in his voice, she stood and placed her hand in the crook of his arm. When she dared to glance up at his face, her knees nearly buckled beneath her. His eyes were narrowed, his smile wolfish.
She felt a rush, a shiver, a soaring lightness in her chest. Her body seemed to come alive beneath his hot regard. Fortunately, she still retained a modicum of willpower.
“We can’t . . . we shouldn’t . . . ”
Suddenly his mouth was so close to hers, she found it difficult to breat
he.
She wanted.
Wanted him.
Wanted everything; anything she could get in the short time they had left together. His arms came around her, and she leaned in, sighing against his mouth as her body took on a life of its own. Then he kissed her, and any thought of right or wrong, should or shouldn’t, fled out the window.
Reed ended the kiss. There was a smile in his voice as he said, “What were you saying about what we should or shouldn’t do?”
“I . . . don’t remember.”
His silver eyes held a wicked gleam as he escorted her from the dining room and up the stairs to his bedchamber. He opened the door, scooped her into his arms and carried her inside.
“I can walk, Reed.”
“I like the feel of you in my arms.” He placed her on her feet beside the bed and began undressing her. “That gown becomes you, but I prefer you naked.”
“Thanks to you and Updike, I shall be able to pay for my new wardrobe and Lisette’s as well.”
No answer was forthcoming as Reed concentrated on rendering both Fleur and himself naked. He rid them of their clothing with undue haste, then stood back to admire her. She was slim but not too slim, her breasts firm and round, her nipples a lush dusky rose. Her legs were long and shapely, and the nest between them dark and luxuriant.
Fleur returned his gaze, suddenly aware that this was no longer the same man she had spirited out of Devil’s Chateau. Muscles corded Reed’s belly; his shoulders seemed to have grown wider, his arms stronger, his legs sturdier. And rising from the thatch of dark hair at his groin was the most extraordinary display of masculine virility she had ever seen.
She stretched out her hand to caress him, leisurely exploring the hard surface of veins and silky smooth skin. Beneath her touch his sex swelled and flexed, rising hard and heavy against her palm.
“You’re magnificent,” she murmured.
He bent to nuzzle her nipple. “You’re rather splendid yourself.”
He fell back onto the bed and pulled her roughly on top of him. She gasped as her sensitive nipples brushed against the hair on his chest. Their hips met; the heat of his manhood probing between her thighs and the thumping of his heart against hers made her whimper with pleasure. How could she bear to part with this vital man she loved to distraction?
