A Collector's Item: Rowena's After Dark Regency Romance (The Arlingbys Book 1)

by Alicia Quigley

  "Thank you, Rowena," he said. "That was incredible. You are definitely the right woman for those rubies." He gently raised her to her feet, and then unscrewed the clasps of the earrings and removed them. "I’ll never look at these again without thinking of you naked in them."

  "Nor will I," murmured Rowena. "I can’t imagine wearing them out in public now."

  "They’ll be even more delightful then," teased Alaric. "You will know what I’m thinking of as you are standing primly in a ballroom full of people."

  Rowena couldn’t repress a tiny quiver of anticipation at the thought. Alaric smiled, and then snatched her up in his arms. "You must be cold. It is time for you to go to bed."

  He walked towards the door and Rowena clutched at his shoulders nervously.

  "Alaric, the servants. You’re...I’m...we don’t have any clothes on."

  "I told them all to go to bed. I said that if I saw a single face after dinner was over tonight, they would all be dismissed." He carried her out of the gallery and into the hall, heading for her bedroom.

  "You planned this!" said Rowena accusingly. "You meant to seduce me tonight. You had no intention of keeping your end of our bargain."

  Alaric shook his head. "You promised me, no recriminations. I admit that I hoped this would happen. But you wanted it too, Rowena."

  She bit her lip and looked down at the magnificent rubies that encircled her wrist.

  "Admit it, Rowena." Alaric’s voice was gently teasing.

  "Very well," she said in a small voice as he swept through her bedroom door. "I admit that I wanted you."

  Alaric laughed as he stood over the bed. "Admit that you were pleasured beyond anything you imagined, as well." He said.

  Rowena made a face and pressed her head into his shoulder. "Yes, I was," she whispered.

  He tossed her lightly onto the bedclothes and followed her down, crushing her delightfully beneath him. "I will remind you of that," he said, drawing her close. "Every night."

  "The circlet!" shrieked Rowena as it fell from her head and rolled across the covers. Alaric scooped the ornament up lazily and placed it on the bedside table. Then he lifted her again and settled her under the covers, slipping in next to her and pulling her up against his warm, muscular flesh.

  "Go to sleep, darling," he said.

  Rowena relaxed into his body, her back against the hard muscles of his stomach. She felt his large hands gently stroking her hair.

  "Let me hold you while you sleep." Alaric said. She closed her eyes and almost immediately drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 21

  Rowena awoke to bright sunlight invading her bedroom, slipping in between the heavy curtains to make delicate patterns on the carpet. She stretched lazily, a sense of contentment filling her. For a moment she couldn’t recall why she felt so happy, but then remembrance flooded her, and she pressed her eyes closed again, still feeling some lingering embarrassment.

  Smiling shyly, she finally rolled over, but the other side of her bed was empty. She frowned at the rumpled sheets and the pillow that still bore the imprint of Alaric’s head. A pang of fear touched her. What if he hadn’t really found her satisfactory the night before? She reached urgently for the bell and rang it vigorously.

  Lawson entered the room a few moments later, a bright smile on her face. The household had gauged his lordship’s mood that morning sufficiently to know that all had gone well the night before. She was astounded, however, to see her mistress standing in the middle of the room, quite naked except for a thin lace wrapper and some barbaric-looking rubies clasped about her throat and wrist. She stood and gaped at Rowena for a moment.

  "Don’t stare like that, Lawson," said Rowena, her voice sharp with alarm. "Where is his lordship?"

  "Downstairs eating breakfast, my lady," said Lawson soothingly. "He told me to let you sleep until you rang for me."

  Some of Rowena’s anxiety left her. He was still in the house. She took a calming breath. "Hurry, I must get dressed," she said. "I don’t wish to keep him waiting."

  Lawson walked over to Rowena and led her to the dressing table. "I don’t think he’s fretting, my lady. He seems quite content to wait for you. His lordship is quite pleased this morning, if you don’t mind my saying so."

  Rowena subsided onto the stool and looked up at Lawson with wide eyes. "Pleased?" she said.

  "Why, he was smiling and ever so pleasant," said Lawson soothingly.

  "I must get dressed immediately," said Rowena, suddenly anxious to verify this information. She picked up a brush and tried to tug it through her tangled curls.

  "There, my lady, you’ll let me take care of you. You can’t go downstairs until you’re properly dressed. Let me sort you out." Lawson hesitated. "Shall I take off the jewelry, my lady?"

  Rowena gasped and looked in the mirror. The necklace and bracelet that Alaric had clasped about her with such tender words the night before still adorned her, making her look like some sort of exotic princess. She blushed deeply, causing Lawson to give her a knowing smile.

  "Yes, please," she said hastily. "Put it safely in my jewelry box. And fetch the new muslin. Oh, and don’t dawdle, Lawson."

  But it was fully three-quarters of an hour before Rowena hastened down the stairs to the dining room. Lawson had refused to allow her out of the room until she was completely groomed and dressed in a manner that brought credit to her maid. The delicate muslin of her dress foamed about her white shoulders and her eyes sparkled brilliantly as she flung open the door to the dining room. Alaric looked up from his breakfast and paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, quite captivated by the sight.

  Rowena paused, overcome by sudden shyness. She had been incredibly eager to see Alaric that morning, but now she had no idea what to say to him. Alaric put his fork down slowly, rose, and walked gracefully to her side. He took her small hand in his and raised it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to it.

  "Good morning, Rowena." She felt a tiny thrill at the intimate tone in his voice. His eyes roamed over her, and she could tell he was remembering what he had seen the night before.

  "Good morning...Alaric," she answered, her voice very soft. Then she gave herself a mental shake. It would not do for him to think she was pining for him. Despite the pleasures of the previous evening, he had not yet said one word to her of any affection he might have for her. "Did you sleep well?"

  "Very well," he answered, smiling warmly. "The best I have in weeks."

  Rowena flushed a little at his intimation, and disentangled her fingers from his. "I am glad. I also slept well."

  Alaric pulled a chair out from the table and seated her. "I thought you might. You certainly looked charming this morning, wearing nothing but the rubies, nestled against my chest. It was all I could do not to wake you in order to repeat last night’s experience."

  Rowena turned scarlet. "My lord, the servants," she said in a very small voice. She had to get control of herself. It would not do for him to be able to put her at such a disadvantage.

  He reached out and took her wrist in a tender grip. "They know better than to disturb us. We are all alone and will be so for as long as I choose."

  Rowena’s eyes flickered to the door. It was firmly shut. A tiny thrill shot through her.

  "All alone?" she repeated.

  Alaric laughed. "Don’t look at me like that, or I’ll have all your clothes off you here and now. And I have to go out for a few minutes."

  Rowena frowned. Alaric’s promise, while making her slightly nervous, was also enticing. But the last part of his statement did not reassure her.

  "Where are you going? I thought we were going to spend some time together."

  "As much time as you desire, my dear. Your every wish is mine," Alaric assured her. "But I have to speak to my lawyer. There is some business I need to attend to."

  "Will you be gone long?"

  "Not at all. I will be back before you have finished eating. Then perhaps we will go for a ride in the Park." He g
azed down at her speculatively. "Or maybe we will find some other activity to occupy ourselves."

  Rowena glanced down at her plate to avoid the devilish gleam in his brilliant green eyes. She was glad that he seemed to be pleased with her, but she decided that she must remind him that there was more to her than the performance of her wifely duties.

  "Will you ask Mr. Mackley if he has any new information on Ingram’s murderer?" she asked brightly. "I would like to be able to continue our investigation."

  Alaric frowned and seated himself. His long fingers tapped a gentle rhythm on the table.

  "I thought we had resolved this matter, Rowena." His voice was stern.

  "The murderer is still at large. I would hardly call that a resolution," observed Rowena.

  Alaric shook his head. He had hoped that last night’s events would have driven the relentless pursuit of Alfred Ingram’s murderer from his wife’s mind. It seemed, however, that she was as determined as ever. He marveled at her devotion to the brother she had not seen in twelve years. With a pang he realized that he wanted her thoughts to be centered on him, not some imaginary hero she had conjured up. But it seemed that Malcolm Arlingby was still fated to come between him and the things he desired.

  "The murderer is indeed at large," answered Alaric. "His name is Malcolm Arlingby, and he was last seen in France. You must accept this, Rowena. We cannot be happy together until you do."

  Rowena raised her chin. She could not allow him to think that because she had given way the night before he could rule her in all things. Her feelings for her husband might be much stronger than his for her, but it was necessary that she keep some sort of autonomy. Without it she would have no pride left at all.

  "You have not a shred of evidence to support your beliefs, my lord," she said fiercely. "I insist we continue to search out the true murderer."

  Alaric made an exasperated sound. "I will not encourage you in this folly, Rowena. It is nonsensical of you to believe that after all this time there is the slightest chance of clearing Malcolm’s name."

  Rowena drew a deep breath. "It is never too late to seek out the truth. I should think you would want to have the real killer discovered as much as I do."

  "The truth is known. Your brother killed Ingram for the Pearl of Sirsi." Alaric tried to speak dispassionately. Rowena didn’t seem to realize that if Malcolm was not guilty, then her husband must be the killer. Or perhaps she did know that. His eyes narrowed. Was her sweetness and passion merely a lie to keep him under her spell? Perhaps she had an ulterior motive in this marriage.

  "I refuse to accept that. No member of my family would intentionally hurt another person. No one I know believes it is possible that Malcolm killed Ingram."

  "But plenty of people you have spoken to believe that it is possible that I might have. Are you attempting to tell me that you share their feelings?" Alaric’s hand had clenched into a fist and his knuckles showed white.

  Rowena swung her startled gaze towards him. "No! Of course I believe no such thing. After last night how could you accuse me of that?"

  Alaric watched her coolly. The surprise and alarm in her wide violet eyes seemed sincere enough. But he was familiar with the duplicity of women. Marguerite had gazed deeply into his eyes any number of times and lied with great conviction. The long string of mistresses that had followed her had not served to reassure him as to the honesty of the sex. Tears had been wielded as a weapon, smiles and assurances of affection had proved to be no more than a cover for mercenary grasping. Rowena’s shocked countenance was no guarantee of her true feelings.

  "It is quite obvious to all the world that either Malcolm or I killed Ingram. If word gets out that you are looking into his murder, not only will the entire ton be titillated, but the news will doubtless get back to Bow Street. You may do far more than bring further disgrace to my reputation, Rowena. You might well re-open the investigation. I have many enemies, you know." He paused, his gaze fixed coldly on her startled face. "But perhaps that is your intention. You more than once accused me of wishing to marry you for the sake of revenge. It had not occurred to me until now that perhaps that was your motive."

  Rowena stared at him in stunned silence. She could not believe what Alaric was saying. How could he possibly believe her to be guilty of such duplicity? Unbidden tears rose to her eyes. She had given herself to him freely last night, believing that perhaps love could grow between them. And now he revealed that he could believe that she had married him only to try to destroy him. How could she ever have thought she could reach someone so cold and self-contained?

  "Well, Rowena? Do you have an answer for me?"

  "How can I possibly answer such an accusation?" Rowena’s voice was shaking. "If you believe that I could stoop to such a thing, I have no way of proving that I would not. But I cannot imagine why you wished to marry me if you believe me capable of such deviousness."

  "You have thrown the same accusation at me many times," observed Alaric. A great fury welled up in him at the thought that the sweet young woman he married might have been simply a figment of his imagination. Perhaps Rowena was not unusual; perhaps she was like all the others. "Why am I the only one who might be seeking revenge? Your devotion to your brother is so strong that I begin to wonder if it is perhaps stronger than your affection for me."

  Rowena’s head snapped up at that and her violet eyes, bright with unshed tears, met his icy ones. "How dare you? After last night, how can you question my affection for you?"

  Alaric laughed. The ball of cold fear in the pit of his stomach was growing. Perhaps he had been a fool, taken in by a resourceful adventuress. Rowena was a clever woman; their entire courtship could have been a trap. "Your reactions to me mean nothing, Rowena. You might have been as easily aroused by any man skilled in the art of love. I seem to recall that before our marriage you responded to me equally passionately. How do I know that you have not been intimate with many men before?"

  "But I was a virgin! You know that!" Rowena was aghast at the accusations he was throwing at her. She could see the chilly anger in his eyes and wondered frantically what she had done to arouse it.

  "It is not necessary to lose your virginity in order to amuse yourself," said Alaric coldly. "Have you trifled with many men before me, Rowena?"

  Rowena stood up. Her knees felt as though they would barely support her, but she was determined to escape from her husband. She had made a terrible mistake, she thought shakily. Alaric had no warmth or affection in him. There was no possibility that he would ever love her. She thought anxiously that she would have to wait until he left the house and then pack and go to her Aunt Louisa’s. Surely her aunt would help her to return to Yorkshire.

  "You seem to have tried and convicted me, my lord, as you did my brother. I see that my arguments will do me no more good than his did. If you will excuse me, I will relieve you of my presence."

  Alaric took in her trembling figure and the stricken look in her eyes. She was very beautiful, he thought. Very beautiful and very proud. She had refused to give in to him, despite his bullying. A sudden wave of remorse washed over him. He could scarcely believe the unkind words he had thrown at her. She had nearly driven him mad, he thought. His desire to control her had made him turn on her and accuse her of all the vile things that existed in his imagination. He slowly unclenched his fist and stood up. He took a step towards Rowena and was appalled to see that she backed slowly away from him.

  He stopped dead in his tracks. "Rowena." He stretched one hand out towards her. "Rowena, I don’t know what to say."

  She looked at him nervously, eyeing the door. If she made a run for it, she would surely reach it before he did.

  "Rowena, don’t go. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean what I said."

  She turned back towards him, surprise written on her face. He looked stricken, his face pale and his eyes serious. "What?"

  "I...I don’t know how to explain myself. The things I said to you were not truly my thoughts. I know you would
never plot against me, Rowena."

  She hesitated. "But you said that you believed I married you for revenge."

  Alaric raised a hand to his forehead. "I know. It was a wild notion. I was afraid that you believed me guilty of killing Ingram. So many people think that. I thought they might have poisoned your mind."

  "How could you believe I would marry a man I thought capable of murdering one man and casting the blame on another?"

  "I don’t believe that." Alaric shook his head. "I am not good at trusting others, Rowena. I learned long ago that the only person I can rely on is myself. When you spoke of pursuing this mad course of yours, I could only think that it must be a trap you had set for me. There are many who would like to see me fall, and some of them are members of your own family."

  Rowena looked down at her hands, and idly noticed that the tips of her fingers and knuckles had turned white, from clasping them so tightly before her. She took a breath, and made a conscious effort to relax her hands.

  "You must not judge me by the actions of others," she replied haltingly. "I believe what you have told me about yourself. You must take my word in return."

  Alaric took another step towards her, and when she did not turn away, he took one of her hands in his and gently rubbed it, watching the tips turn a rosy pink again. "Forgive me. I know I am asking a great deal. The things I said are unforgiveable. I can only plead that my fear of losing you overwhelmed my better judgment."

  Rowena peeked up at him through her lashes. "You feared losing me?"

  "If you had married me only to obtain revenge for your brother, then I would most certainly lose you. I find that a terrible prospect. I would do anything to keep you here with me," Alaric admitted. With a sense of relief he realized that his words pleased Rowena.

  Exerting considerable effort, Rowena stopped herself from leaping bodily into her husband’s arms. These were the warmest words he had ever given her. If he did not want to lose her, then he must have some gentle feelings for her. She smiled.

  "I would never marry for such a reason. I told you once that I wished to marry for love."