by Katy Madison
He hungered for her sweet smiles, her eager touch, her innocent blushes. But the blushes couldn't be so innocent. He longed for the days when she had followed him around like an eager puppy. All grown up, she was finding her niche in society. She was never restrained, but oddly enough, no one seemed to mind.
* * *
Keene leaned his head onto the back of the chair and stared at the trompe l'oeil paintings on the ceiling. If he squinted he could believe the ceiling was laid in recessed panels, rather than a flat expanse. He put the bottom of his fresh-from-the–cellar wine-cooled glass on his forehead.
It didn't help.
He'd taken to arriving home in the wee hours of the morning and waiting until Sophie woke before crawling into his own bed. The thin door between their rooms provided scant deterrent. Better to avoid the temptation altogether.
Fortunately, she was an early riser, even though she was out quite late at balls. She also possessed that enviable talent of falling asleep the minute her fluffy blonde curls hit the pillow. He knew: he'd peeked in on her too many times.
That took care of the mornings; then he urged the women to drive out to the park in the phaeton which only seated two comfortably. Then dinner to muddle through before they were off to one entertainment or another. Keene would escape to a gentlemen's club as soon as his control started slipping.
If he avoided being alone with Sophie, he could make it through the waiting period. He did the math in his head again. Sometime before his proposal in early January plus four months. If he could make it until May, perhaps the end of April, concealing her pregnancy would be impossible.
He didn't know if he could make it through the next twelve hours. He hated this collapse of his restraint.
Until recently he'd prided himself on his superb self-discipline, but his wife's reckless disregard of consequences must be catching.
Last night he'd drawn her into an anteroom and kissed her.
A huge mistake.
Noise on the stairs outside the library drew his attention. He'd left the door open so he could hear Sophie enter the breakfast room.
He set his glass on the table beside him and rose from his chair. Sophie paused outside the library door and adjusted her feathered cap in the looking glass opposite the door. She wheeled around, the train of her navy velvet riding gown twisting around her legs. "Keene."
"Going riding?"
"Yes." She backed away from him as if she expected him to deter her. "I know it is quite an unfashionably early hour, but this way I can give the horse his head."
"Give me a moment to change, and I'll accompany you."
She backed toward the front door. "That won't be necessary. I have a groom to go with me."
Why didn't she want him to go with her? Was she meeting someone? Her early morning ride was a stealthy thing. She hadn't even eaten breakfast. She'd been eager enough for his company last night, eager for his kisses. "Why not?"
"You haven't been to bed. I'm sure you're tired."
He folded his arms across his chest rather than grab her and shake the truth out of her.
Her shoulders drooped in front of him. "I know I should not ride early in the morning, but no one is about to see me."
"You might be thrown," said Keene sarcastically. How had she expected him to believe she was thrown in the first place?
"Oh, no." She opened the front door. "Brutus is too well trained." She clapped a hand over her mouth.
"You're riding my horse?" His seventeen-hand horse? She'd look like a child perched on his Brutus's back.
A groom walked his gelding down the street. A second horse stood docilely by.
"Well, Daisy is still at your father's. Oh, please, Keene, I don't ride him hard, and I am quite light, hardly a chore for him at all."
"I'll send for your horse."
"Does that mean you don't want me to ride Brutus?"
If she didn't go riding he would remain all alone with her, and that was dangerous. "No, you may go."
She hesitated a minute, then crossed to him and kissed his cheek. He clenched his arms tighter. "Go on, then."
He followed her to the curb and lifted her to the saddle. He cast a sharp glance at his groom. "Don't let her out of your sight."
"No, sir. I wouldn't, sir."
Keene watched the horses walk down the street. His hands itched to hold her waist again, his cheek tingled from the press of her lips and his blood was on fire. Sleep would elude him for a long time. Perhaps he should fetch her horse himself. It would give him a few days away to cool his fevered blood.
* * *
Sophie couldn't believe he'd left without so much as a by-your-leave. She hadn't even known until she and Amelia sat down to dinner four days ago, and Keene was absent. She wished she could forget he was gone and enjoy the parties. But almost unconsciously she scanned the other guests, looking for her husband.
Perhaps when the hour struck eleven and no further admittance could be gained to the exclusive assembly rooms, she could stop hoping he would show up.
"Might I have the next waltz?"
Sophie didn't need to swing around to know that Lord Algany was standing behind her. He had a habit of approaching from the back.
"But of course," said Sophie smoothly. He was a bit of a salve to her ego. Not that she wanted to be around him long. Too much salve left her feeling greasy.
"I hear your husband has left you all alone and retreated to the country."
Did everyone besides her know that Keene had left London? "He'll be back soon."
"Not too soon, I hope." Algany's gaze traveled over her face and held her eyes. "Might I say you are looking especially delicious tonight."
"You might say it, but I doubt I should believe it." Not that Algany wasn't sincere, but his lingering gazes, while similar to Keene's, did nothing for her. Keene had only to flick a sidelong glance in her direction and she was all aflutter. It wasn't fair.
"Of course you should, angel. You are the most refreshing woman I've encountered in a long time. How you maintain such an air of innocence quite intrigues me."
"I fear you are too jaded, sir."
"You are right, of course. It is why I am drawn back to you again and again, even though you do not offer this poor man any encouragement."
Sophie shrugged. "I am warned you are a very bad sort to encourage." Her smile probably softened the blow. Perhaps she should try the same tactics with Keene. Her refusals with Lord Algany only seemed to encourage him more.
"Folly. I should bring you nothing but pleasure. Who is this maligner of my character?" His ferret smile said he really had no interest in learning who slandered him. He extended his arm as the opening bars of a waltz began.
One thing that could be said was that Algany was an excellent dancer. They sailed about the floor in a way that made Sophie's heart lighten. It was hard to stay heavy of heart when one was light on one's feet.
She hardly noticed that the hour of eleven passed and only those members of Parliament who had been detained by late business or those whose carriages were already in the line outside on the street would be admitted. She smiled wider at Algany.
He pulled her closer, every now and then their bodies would touch on a turn.
"I shall step on you feet if we don't have a care," she warned.
"A small price to pay for the pleasure. Sophie, let me take you to supper. I know a lovely place that serves the most delectable fare. Quite discreet, too."
She shook her head. She should protest his using her Christian name, but he would only switch to an endearment. She glanced toward the entrance.
"He is out of town, isn't he?"
Her eyes shot back to Lord Algany's. She didn't answer.
"You know, jealousy can be a wonderful tool for a wife to bring a husband to heel." He lifted his hand from her waist and brushed his fingers across her cheek.
Sophie swallowed hard and wished again for the reserve to hide her true feelings. She shook her head.
Sophie hesitated, looking at Algany. She glanced across the room to where Amelia stood near a wall, looking about as listless as Sophie felt.
Victor watched Amelia from across the room.
Algany's fingers traveled down her neck and he languidly placed his hand back on her waist. "Perhaps Lord Wedmont should like to make a fourth."
Algany spun her through a turn.
"While Keeting is still about town, he doesn't seem to have a care for what his wife is about."
Sophie hoped her expression didn't betray her knowledge of Amelia's situation. Algany's gaze was too sharp. But if he thought he could wheedle a secret like that out of her, he was mistaken. She pressed her lips together.
"And then there is the hapless watchdog, Wedmont. Although he looks rather hangdog tonight. I am never quite sure who he is to be watching."
"Lud, you do have an imagination. He is not a watchdog."
Algany raised an eyebrow.
Sophie began to feel she was out of her depth. Her heart was beating too fast. Keeping secrets had never been her strong point.
Algany had noticed the quick cadence of her breathing. His eyes dropped to her décolletage several times. "He is not doing a good job of watching you this evening, that is sure."
"Even if was to look after me—and he is not—what trouble could I get into here in Almack's hallowed grounds?"
"Why, none, of course." Algany's attempt at an innocent expression wasn't entirely successful. "But one could make plans, of course." He grinned, but didn't wait for her refusal. "Come, angel, you are rather flushed. Join your guardian, and I shall bring you ladies a glass of some of the sumptuous orgeat served here and you might discuss my offer of real refreshment afterward."
He led her to Amelia and bowed.
"Did you dance with Lord Algany again?" asked Amelia.
"Once tonight. Don't worry, I shan't do it again this evening."
What was the point? Keene wasn't here to scowl at her, then drag her away into an anteroom and make her crazy with his kisses. She'd had to push him away last time. Jealousy might be good for a show of possessiveness on Keene's part, but it hadn't lasted until they made it home. He hadn't even come in the house, just driven off to a club.
No, if she danced with Algany again, he would just pressure her to join him for a private or semiprivate meal.
Amelia's blue eyes followed Algany as he walked across the floor.
"Don't worry, he shall be back. He wants us to go to supper with him."
Amelia paled.
"Oh, Victor is invited too."
"What did you say?"
"I couldn't very well speak for all us," said Sophie as she smiled at a young man coming to claim a country dance with her.
She tried very hard not to notice the thin trickle of guests still making their way through the door. One more dance and the latecomers would be turned away.
* * *
Keene stuck his watch back in his pocket and cursed the time. He likely wouldn't make it before the doors were shut for the night. He'd just made it back to town when he realized it was Wednesday. He'd drove his valet crazy with jumping into evening clothes and insisting on a simple Napoleon style for his cravat. He'd had two long days of travel to think about his marriage to Sophie and her deception.
When he reached his father's house, Keene had discovered the nursery remained untouched. Instead, his wife had taken dance lessons so as to not embarrass him when she arrived in London.
She hadn't pressed her advantage the other night when he'd kissed her in the anteroom. If she'd suggested they go home then, he'd have consummated their marriage that night. Instead, she pushed him away, reminding him they were in a public place. She'd said they better go back into the ballroom, knowing his carriage was just outside. She'd withdrawn from him the morning after their marriage. If she meant to foist some other man's brat on him, would she have let those opportunities pass?
Maybe she met all his pleas for confessions with blank stares because she had nothing to confess. Could her parents both be wrong?
Lately, he hadn't seen any signs of pregnancy. She wasn't sick in the mornings. Her waist hadn't thickened. She hadn't fainted since their wedding day when she claimed nerves. She didn't look any different from the day he proposed, except for the short hair. Pregnant women looked different, softer, rounder. What if he'd waited all this time and she wasn't even with child?
Keene pressed his fingers to his temples. What if he was deluding himself because he wanted her in his bed? Her kisses left him breathless, aching, hungry for her.
* * *
The rooms were overwarm and when Sophie returned to Amelia's side she took the glass Lord Algany held out with relief. She had swallowed half of it before she held it away from her with a wrinkled nose. She would have preferred water.
"The best I can offer here." Lord Algany gave her a wry look.
Amelia laughed.
Sophie stared at her houseguest. She couldn't remember ever hearing Amelia laugh.
Algany tucked Amelia's hand into the crook of his arm and offered to take them on a turn about the floor. Sophie looked at his smug expression and decided he would feel quite too full of himself with both of them on his arms. "I'll just wait for you here."
"Are you sure?" Algany didn't look happy with her answer.
"Very sure. I'll just sit and wait." She fanned herself with her hand.
Algany hesitated a moment before walking away with Amelia.
Sophie found a chair. Out on the dance floor Victor danced with a rather horse-faced young woman. As Sophie stared, the woman threw back her head and brayed. Victor winced. Sophie glanced around to see if others had noticed. No once else was staring, but she couldn't focus on anyone else. Everyone seemed farther away than they had before.
She blinked hard. She hadn't fainted in weeks. The swimming uncertainty that had overtaken her several times in the week following her fall on her head hadn't happened in quite some time, not since the day of her wedding. Moisture beaded
her upper lip, and the glass slid from her fingers.
SIXTEEN
Keene's carriage fell into line after the deadline. He held his breath until he made it through the door, fearing that at any moment some overzealous footman would point out that he wasn't in the queue in good order.
He searched the room, his eyes lit on his nemesis Lord Algany. Only for once he wasn't dancing court on Sophie. Amelia clung to his arm. Keene continued searching for his wife, but the oddness of Amelia clinging to anyone brought his puzzled gaze back to her.
The pair was making their way about the room. They stopped and Algany bent over and assisted a woman to her feet. She swayed. Sophie?
What the devil was wrong with her?
Algany wrapped an arm around her waist and steered her toward the entrance. Keene started for them and was waylaid by a greeting from Lady Jersey.
He held out his elbow and asked her to walk with him.
She followed the line of his sight. "You are anxious to see your wife."
He started to protest, but ended with a lame, "Quite."
Sophie crumbled. Keene nearly ran to her side. Algany held her up, while Amelia stood back, her eyes wide in her face, her hands over her mouth.
"Come, we must get her some fresh air," Algany said as Keene approached.
"Give her here."
Algany blanched as he looked up. "I thought you were out of town."
"I'm back, now." He scooped Sophie into his arms.
"Is she all right?" asked Lady Jersey.
"Probably, she's just overheated," said Algany. "It's very warm in here." He backed up, pulling Amelia with him.
Lady Jersey looked directly at Keene. "Is she . . . ?" her question trailed off.
"It's likely she is."
Lady Jersey put her hand on her lips, her eyes growing speculative
. "It would be too early to know for sure. I shall send around the name of a physician who specializes in these things."
Amelia stood back while Algany whispered to her.
"Where's Victor?" Keene asked her.
She shrugged, her eyes wide.
"I'll see to it Lord Wedmont escorts Mrs. Keeting home." Lady Jersey put a hand on Keene's shoulder. "We should find your wife some feathers to burn."
"Keene, you're back!"
He looked down into Sophie's wide blue eyes. She looked a little unfocused. He set her on her feet, and she swayed against him. She looked around and turned her face into his shoulder. "Why is everyone staring at me?" she whispered.
Keene wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back. "You fainted, pet."
"I did? I dropped my glass." She bounced up on her toes and looked over his shoulder.
"Come, I'm taking you home to bed."
"You are? I don't know if you should, I don't feel so well."
Keene felt his ears grow warm, although he wouldn't have removed Sophie's head from his shoulder to save his life. She seemed to have forgotten their audience.
Lady Jersey herded the onlookers away.
"Can you walk outside?"
Sophie nodded her head, moving against his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
He whispered in her ear, "Want to tell me why you fainted?"
They stood locked together for a time until he finally felt her head shift side to side against his shoulder.
He swallowed hard. "Let's go home, Sophie."
They could hash out the truth of the matter when they arrived home. Only, Sophie was so wan and pale he took pity on her and had her maid help her to bed. He knew the truth of it, anyway. It didn't take Amelia's confirmation that they hadn't drank any spirits and that Sophie had been fine earlier in the evening. It didn't take hearing the sounds of Sophie being sick in the morning to know that she was suffering the symptoms of her condition.
He sent for the physician Lady Jersey recommended. When the man arrived Sophie was sleeping. After feeling her brow for fever, the physician and Keene returned to the drawing room where Keene told him of Sophie's fainting and of being the two mornings. The man confirmed Sophie's symptoms were those of a woman with child. He recommended very moderate exercise and fresh air, and avoiding crowds and excessive dancing, a bit of peppermint to aid her digestion and plenty of undisturbed rest.
Yes, she would have plenty of undisturbed rest.
* * *