‘You only hurt me a very little,’ she said and reached up to kiss his mouth. ‘Perhaps I should have told you before, but I wanted you to discover the truth for yourself.’
‘All those things I said to you.’ Andrew looked rueful. ‘Accusing you of taking lovers. I never dreamed that you would still be a virgin, Mariah. You were married…’
‘Winston kissed me, but there was nothing else. He told me before we married that he could not be a proper husband to me—but he loved me. He treated me as a little girl that he could dress up in pretty clothes and show off to his friends. I think he truly loved me, but he was never well enough to be a husband in the true sense. Yet I was faithful to him—and, afterwards, there was no one I wanted, until we met again.’
‘My poor Mariah,’ Andrew said and stroked her cheek. ‘No wonder you flirted and thought of taking a lover. It must have been difficult for you—a wife and yet not a wife.’
‘Do not pity me,’ she said. ‘Winston gave me all he could and while he lived I was happy enough in my way.’
‘But for how long would that have lasted? You are a passionate woman, Mariah—a woman who needs physical love. You needed more than a fake marriage.’
‘Yes, perhaps. I dare say I might have taken a lover had you not come back into my life. I had offers in plenty, but I could not trust anyone. It wasn’t until we met again—’ She broke off, suddenly shy, afraid to confess it all.
‘Go on, my love,’ Andrew prompted. ‘I have wondered what your feelings truly were towards me. I thought you wanted a husband because you were vulnerable to the fortune hunters. I thought that any decent man might do.’
Mariah looked at him oddly, her cheeks pink. ‘I let you think that, Andrew—and for a while I did consider making either a marriage of convenience or taking a lover, but only because you did not speak. I thought that when you came to Paris, while I was there with Justin and Lucinda, you would speak, but instead you seemed to withdraw. It almost broke my heart and so I went away with Sylvia and Lord Hubert rather than let you see.’
‘Yes, and that was ill done of me,’ Andrew confessed and touched her cheek. ‘In part it was because of the business with that damned letter—and then I wondered if I might endanger you if I had an enemy—but also I was uncertain. You fascinated me, but I had feelings for Lucinda, which you knew of—and I could not see the treasure that might be mine if I had the wit to reach for it.’
Mariah hesitated, then, her finger tracing a pulse at the base of his throat, ‘Do you still have feelings for Lucinda?’
‘I am fond of her, as I am of Jane, and would help her should she need my help—but I never felt a half of what I feel for you, Mariah. Nor for any woman I have known. Yet still I did not know you. I remembered the spoiled brat who flew into a temper if I teased her and I wondered if you would grow bored with me, with being my wife.’
‘I could never be bored with you by my side. Yes, I was spoiled and I do have a temper when roused,’ Mariah said. ‘Did you not realise why I was so angry when you teased me then, Andrew?’ He shook his head and she laughed huskily. ‘I had a terrible crush on you before you went into the army. You were my hero. I wanted you to fall in love with me, but all you ever did was tease me and tell me off.’
‘Did you really have feelings for me then?’ Andrew laughed and drew her near, their bodies slicked with sweat as they pressed closer. ‘I never knew it. I thought of you as a spoiled brat. You were always so prickly—like a little hedgehog—when I was around, though I knew Jane was fond of you.’
‘How else should I be when I was breaking my heart for you and you either ignored me or treated me as a child?’
‘I saw you as a child,’ he said, and his hand stroked down the satin arch of her back. ‘I never truly saw you as a woman until I returned from the army. Had it not been for Lucinda’s predicament I might have realised my feelings for you sooner. But you seemed so confident and you were rich—much richer than I am, Mariah. I did not think you needed me.’
‘Money is both a blessing and a curse,’ she said, and her finger circled his ear, her lips so close to his that her breath was a caress. ‘I have given some money to Lucinda’s daughter, Angela, though neither of them will know it until she is older. I shall also offer Lord Hubert help if he needs it—but after that I want you to take charge of my affairs, as we talked of, Andrew. I do not want to be bothered with such things and you will take care of our children’s inheritance far better than I.’
‘Yes, that is how I shall see it, as our children’s inheritance,’ he said and kissed her. ‘I have been such a fool, Mariah.’ His hand moved up to her nape, playing with her heavy, luxuriant hair, a look of desire in his eyes. ‘Are you too sore…Can you bear it if…?’
‘Love me again,’ she whispered, moving closer. ‘I have longed for this so many times, Andrew. I fear you will think me too demanding, but I want you again. I want to feel your lips and your hands touching me, to feel you inside me.’
‘I can never get enough of you,’ he murmured and caught her to him. ‘If you still have doubts, put them from your mind. I adore you, Mariah. You are all I want in this life.’
‘Then we are both content,’ she said and gave herself up to his loving once more.
He was the man she had loved for most of her life. She had waited for him, refusing the lovers she might have taken and the men she might have married, because in her heart she had known that only one man could give her the love she needed. Now she had found him and she was content to be his wife and live with him at Lanchester, bearing his children and growing older together.
Chapter Eleven
‘You look lovely,’ Lucinda said as Mariah came down the stairs to join her on the evening of the dance at Lanchester. ‘That dress is stunning. I do not think I have ever seen you look so beautiful.’
Mariah stroked the soft tulle of her ball gown. It was made of white silk, the skirt caught up with little rosebuds around the hem. The bodice was heavily encrusted with tiny crystals that sparkled and looked pink in the candlelight. Her long, thick hair was caught up in a swirl at the back of her head and dressed with more rosebuds and a string of diamonds, and she had a diamond collar with a large pearl drop.
‘I ordered this gown in Paris for this evening,’ Mariah told her. ‘Madame finished it just this morning. I was not certain whether it would be done in time, but it is rather lovely. I fear it cost a fortune.’
‘Well, why not?’ Lucinda said, looking at her with approval. ‘Lady Hubert told me that you had offered to give her husband ten thousand pounds to help him weather the difficulties his business dealings with the count have caused. It was generous of you, my love.’
‘He will accept the money as a temporary loan,’ Mariah told her. ‘Sylvia should not have said. It was a private arrangement with her husband. I do not want praise for helping my friends, Lucinda. They did a great deal for me when Winston died. Indeed, I do not know how I should have gone on had they not insisted on bringing me home. They are not to blame for the count’s behaviour.’
‘We shall not speak of that despicable man,’ Lucinda said. ‘You know, of course, that he was brought before the magistrate and remanded for trial for fraud and theft?’
‘Yes, Justin told me, but I do not wish to think about him this evening,’ Mariah said. ‘This is our special night and I want to welcome all our friends and dance the night away.’
‘That is what you must do,’ Lucinda said. ‘The coach is ready. If we leave now, we shall be the first to arrive at Lanchester Park and I am sure Andrew is waiting for you most eagerly. You are the hostess this evening and must be there to greet your guests.’
Mariah touched the large baroque pearl at her throat. ‘This was his gift to me for this evening. Do you not think it beautiful?’
‘Yes, it is very fine,’ Lucinda said. ‘I have not the slightest doubt that he will spoil you, Mariah.’
‘Oh, no, I do not wish for it,’ Mariah said and shook her head.
‘If Andrew loves me he will treat me as a woman he can respect and not a spoiled child.’
Lucinda nodded and looked thoughtful, but said no more as they went out to the coach, which was drawn up outside the house.
The two ladies entered the coach, Justin following them. He gave the order to move off and they were soon bowling down the long gravel drive.
Mariah smoothed her elbow-length white gloves as she glanced out of the window. She had noticed that six grooms were to attend them, which was more than Justin usually took, though he seldom travelled without at least three outriders. However, she took little notice. The count was no longer a danger to her, because he had been taken off to prison to await his trial and punishment.
For a moment she recalled that Lieutenant Grainger was still at large, but then dismissed the thought. Where did he fit into the mystery—and did he have anything to do with the attempts on Andrew’s life? No, she would not think of it. This was her special night, when all her friends would congratulate her on her coming marriage. She intended to enjoy every moment.
A smile touched her lips as she thought of the night she had spent in Andrew’s arms. She was to stay the night at Lanchester after the ball and perhaps he would come to her again. Her wedding was but three weeks away, but it seemed too long to wait. She longed to be Andrew’s wife so that she could wake up and find him by her side in the mornings. Every minute spent away from him seemed an hour and her love grew deeper with each breath she took.
* * *
When the short journey was done and the coach drew up outside Andrew’s house, he was waiting to greet her. Light was spilling from all the windows and there was an air of festivity about the place, coloured lanterns in the trees.
‘You are stunning,’ Andrew said when he saw her, his voice low and throbbing with desire. ‘Welcome to your home, Mariah. Will you let me take you through to the ballroom? I want you to see it before the guests arrive.’
Mariah took his hand, allowing him to lead her into the house and through to the rooms that had been opened up and cleared of furniture to give them a space for dancing. She was surprised at how spacious the ballroom looked and enchanted by the banks of white carnations, roses and camellias that had been massed at the foot of the dais, where the musicians were just beginning to play. They must have come from professional hothouses and must have cost a fortune. Yards upon yards of white tulle were looped about the walls just below the frieze and silver stars hung from the chandeliers, helping to shower the room with sparkling light.
‘How festive it looks,’ she said. ‘Do you always do this at Christmas, Andrew? And how did you manage to find such wonderful flowers?’
‘No, the flowers were ordered specially for you from hothouse growers. On Christmas Eve I shall have a tree brought in and perhaps you would like to help Jane dress it—though of course you will be helping Lucinda with the arrangements for her party that night.’
‘I should like to help Jane in the morning,’ Mariah said and smiled up at him as he bent to kiss her cheek. ‘This is wonderful, Andrew. I did not expect it to look so well.’
‘I wanted it to be perfect for you.’
‘And it is,’ she said softly. ‘Today everything is perfect. I am so happy.’
The look he gave her was so hot that she felt her cheeks heat, knowing that he, too, was remembering their night of passion.
‘Yes, I feel that, too,’ he told her, taking her hand on his arm. ‘I think our guests will begin to arrive very soon. We must make ourselves ready to receive them.’
* * *
Mariah glanced round the crowded ballroom. Until this moment she had not realised how many friends they had; all the reception rooms were overflowing and even the library had been brought into use as a card room for those gentlemen who did not wish to dance.
Mariah and Andrew had opened the dancing together after greeting more than one hundred and fifty guests. They had waltzed the length of the ballroom to applause from their friends, before other couples began to join them on the floor. Since then Mariah had danced with several gentlemen, friends of Andrew who seemed sincere in their good wishes. She had been showered with compliments and generally made a great fuss of by all.
She was waiting for Andrew to come to her for their next dance, which was the last before supper, but the music had already started and he had not arrived. Looking about her, she realised that she could not see him and frowned.
Walking up to Lucinda, she asked if she had seen Andrew.
‘No, not for several minutes,’ Lucinda replied and wrinkled her smooth brow. ‘I saw him talking to Justin a while back and I thought they went out together. Perhaps they went to the card room for a while?’
‘That seems odd,’ Mariah replied. ‘He cannot have forgotten our dance—and he ought to be here with his guests.’
‘You know how gentlemen love their cards. No doubt he saw you dancing and enjoying yourself and thought you would not miss him for a moment or two.’
Mariah nodded, but she had an odd prickling sensation at the nape of her neck and something told her that the explanation was not so simple. Andrew might have gone out for a moment, but he would not have forgotten to return in time for the supper dance.
She hesitated, then turned towards the door that would lead her by way of a small parlour to the library. What was so important that Andrew had left the dance floor?
Two footmen were in the small parlour, clearing used glasses. They glanced at her, but said nothing as she passed through, pausing outside the library for a few seconds before entering. She saw at once that the tables were empty. Cards had been left lying where they were thrown down and several wineglasses were still half-filled. It was so strange, she thought, and then saw that the long, double glass doors leading out to the veranda were open.
Mariah walked slowly towards the open doors. Why would gentlemen leave the card tables in a hurry and go outside on such a night? It was cold and frosty, a full moon giving the sky a curious white light. Deciding to investigate, she went out on to the veranda and saw that a struggle of some kind was going on. Her heart raced and then she saw that the men were bringing someone back into the house. His arms were held by two of Justin’s footmen and both he and Andrew and several other gentlemen were following.
Instinctively, Mariah ran to the door of the library and returned to the small sitting room. The footmen had gone and she stood behind the open door, listening as a babble of voices reached her.
‘Will you listen to me?’ A voice she recognised as Lieutenant Grainger’s rose in desperation. ‘I came here tonight to tell you the truth, Lanchester, not to cause trouble. Had I known you were entertaining, I should not have intruded.’
‘He was caught sneaking into the house,’ someone said. ‘You should send for the military and have him arrested. He is a deserter and goodness knows what else.’
‘Let him speak,’ Andrew said. ‘Speak out, Grainger. There are witnesses enough to hang you if you lie.’
‘I swear to you that I am innocent of any crime.’
‘Then why did you run away in Milan?’
‘Because I know things about Count Paolo. He is a vicious man and a deadly enemy. He has already killed twice to my certain knowledge. He paid someone to kill his wife—and then he himself killed the man who carried out his vile work.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Because Lieutenant Gordon told me what he’d done before he, too, was murdered.’
His words brought a deadly hush. Outside the door, Mariah’s nerves tingled.
‘You had best tell us the rest of it,’ Andrew said. ‘How came Gordon to be involved with him?’
‘Lieutenant Gordon was a spy for the French in Spain,’ Peter Grainger said. ‘He was deeply in debt and driven to raise funds in a way that shamed him and his family. I insisted that he confess and take his punishment and he asked for a little time to settle his affairs.’
‘I had guessed as much,’ Andrew said. ‘Bu
t there is more to it, I think?’
‘Yes, I have played my part, to my shame. Gordon has a sister. Her name is Lucy and I love her. I should like to marry her, but my aunt and uncle would not allow it if they knew what her brother had done. It was enough that he was forced to leave the army in shame and disappear to Italy—but if the rest came to light I could not hope to make Lucy my wife.’
‘Tell us, was Count Paolo his paymaster in Spain?’
‘Yes, of course. He gained a hold over Gordon, though I know not how. He would never say, but I think it was a debt—or some misdeed. I can only think that he became more and more entangled with the rogue. When he fled to Italy in disgrace, he sought the count out and became his tool. He was involved in many evil schemes, but the murder of the count’s wife played on his mind. He returned to England, but was afraid the count would come for him.’ Grainger hesitated, then, ‘Not only did he betray his comrades and his country, he stole the regimental silver.’
‘Good grief,’ Justin said. ‘I knew the man was a rogue, but I should never have suspected this.’
‘Why did he take the regimental silver?’
‘He had some idea of going to the Americas and wanted money, but then he realised he could never sell it. He hid it and one night, when we met by chance, he became drunk and told me everything.’
‘You know where the silver is now?’
‘Yes. After I realised that Gordon was dead, I intended to return it, but was not sure how to do it without incriminating myself. When I saw you at the Lakes I thought perhaps you might do it for me…’
‘And the letter throwing suspicion on me?’
‘I fear that was Lucy. She wanted to protect her brother—it was wrong of her and she regrets what she did, but she thought only of our future.’
‘How did you know Gordon was dead?’ Justin asked.
The Scandalous Lord Lanchester Page 20
