A Little Bit Wicked

by Victoria Alexander

  “Is it serious?”

  Judith paused for no more than a fraction of a second. “No, of course not.”

  “It is, it is.” Susanna groaned. “I can see it in your face. You look, well, happy. You positively glow with happiness.”

  “My apologies,” Judith murmured.

  “Don’t be absurd, I’m glad to see you happy. I just—”

  “You just think Warton is a mistake,” Judith said slowly.

  “Yes. No. Well, not for the same reasons I did initially.” Susanna wrung her hands. “I have not been a very good friend, Judith. Cousin.”

  Cousin? Judith winced. “Oh dear.”

  “I should have told you when you first became involved with Warton. In truth I didn’t think it was necessary. I never imagined…And frankly, I was torn.” Susanna’s gaze flitted around the corridor as if she were afraid to look Judith in the eye. “Divided loyalties and all that. There you, my dearest friend in world, are on one hand, and on the other is a member of my family.” Susanna wrinkled her nose. “Although, to be perfectly honest, I’ve never liked her and I don’t think she’s ever especially liked me either.”

  “Who has never liked you?” Judith stared in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  Susanna drew a deep breath. “I’m talking about Lady Braxton. She’s my cousin. Not like you and I are cousins, she’s actually my cousin by blood. Well, marriage really. She was married to my second cousin on my mother’s side.”

  “How nice for you all.” Judith shook her head. “But I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “When I told you about Warton’s marriage the reason I knew everything that I knew was because the woman in question was my cousin.” Susanna met Judith’s gaze reluctantly. “Violet Smithfield. Now Lady Braxton.”

  “You said you couldn’t remember her name,” Judith said slowly.

  “Yes, well, one hates to admit that someone who could do something that vile to a man is a relation. One particularly hates to admit it to one’s dearest friend. It’s really quite embarrassing, you know.”

  Judith raised a brow. “You were embarrassed?”

  “Mortified. And I was also afraid that you would think I disapproved of you and Warton because of what had happened with Violet and I didn’t want that to make you ignore my concerns.” She paused. “Which are still valid, you know, except for that happiness of yours.” She shook her head. “I did not expect that. It puts everything in an entirely different light.”

  “Does it?”

  Susanna nodded. “It certainly does.”

  Judith thought for a moment. The fact that the woman who had broken Gideon’s heart was related to Susanna was of interest but not overly significant. Still, Susanna’s failure to disclose it had obviously weighed heavily on her friend’s mind. “I don’t see that it really matters. It’s over and done with and in the past.”

  “Oh, without question,” Susanna said in a too-bright manner.

  Judith studied her friend. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

  “Only that Violet is a widow now. Her husband died two years ago.”

  Judith raised a brow. “And?”

  “And while she spent much of her married life in the country or on the continent, she is no longer in mourning.” Susanna winced. “And has decided to live in London.”

  At once Judith realized what Susanna was so loath to say. The oddest feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. She met the other woman’s gaze. “And she’s here to night, isn’t she?”

  Susanna nodded reluctantly.

  “Gideon should know at once.” Judith drained the rest of her champagne. “It would be dreadful for him to come upon her unawares.” She started for the door.

  “Judith.” Susanna caught her arm. “I suspect…that is to say…”

  “Out with it, Susanna,” Judith said sharply. “What?”

  “She asked if he would be here to night. I think…” Susanna cringed. “I think she wants your Lord Warton back.”

  “He’s not my Lord Warton. But you are right about one thing.” Judith thrust her empty glass at her and turned to go. “We could have used the rum.”

  “It’s been a very long time, my lord.”

  The lilting, feminine voice sounded behind him and Gideon groaned to himself. Not again. He had scarcely been able to make his way around the ballroom without seeing one acquaintance or another. Many of whom had casually asked after Judith. No doubt gossip was running rampant about the two of them. Not that he particularly cared. He affixed a polite smile on his face and turned.

  Shock smacked him hard in the stomach and stole his breath.

  “Good evening, Gideon.” Violet Smithfield—no, Lady Braxton—smiled at him in a pleasant manner. As if they were mere acquaintances passing on the street. She nodded at the glasses of champagne he held, one in each hand. “Is one of those for me?”

  “No,” he said, handing her one without thinking. And at once found himself at a similar ball nine years ago. He shook his head to clear the image.

  She raised a brow. “Gideon?”

  It was not at all surprising that her presence now would sweep him back to another time. She looked very much the same as she had then. Her hair just as sleek and dark, her lips just as scandalously red, her eyes…violet.

  “Gideon?” she said again.

  What in the name of all that was holy was he doing? He gathered his wits about him and nodded curtly. “My apologies, Lady Braxton, I fear you have me at a disadvantage. I had no idea you would be here to night.”

  “Are you pleased?”

  “I am…surprised.”

  “Yes, I can see that.” She studied him for a moment and he returned her perusal. At first he had thought she looked unchanged but he was wrong. Her face was slightly leaner, more mature. But then it would be, wouldn’t it? He had certainly changed since they were last together. “Would you have stayed away if you had known?”

  “No,” he said without hesitation. “In truth I must admit, I expected us to encounter one another long before now. In many ways, London is a very small town.”

  “I have scarcely spent any time in London at all since my marriage.” Violet shrugged. “When we were not traveling the continent, William preferred living in the country to residing in London.”

  “And yet, here you are.” Gideon smiled politely and was grateful he could do so. He wasn’t at all sure how he felt about Violet’s abrupt reappearance in his life. Not that she was in his life. She was simply…here.

  “Indeed, here I am.” She sipped the champagne thoughtfully. “How are you, Gideon?”

  “My health is excellent. My investments are sound. My friends are loyal.” He noted the arrogant, cool tone in his voice and was inordinately pleased. He was face to face with Violet, and aside from the first few moments, was completely under control. “And you?”

  She laughed lightly. “I’m very well.”

  “And Lord Braxton”

  She stared at him. “You don’t know?”

  “Know what?”

  “My husband died two years ago.”

  “My sympathies.” He shook his head. “I had no idea.”

  Astonishment shone in her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

  He chose his words carefully. “I am sorry for your loss, Lady Braxton, but I assure you I would not have asked after him if I had known. I do not play those kinds of games.”

  “No, of course you don’t.” The smile returned to her face, and her gaze met his. He had forgotten how tall she was, barely a few inches shorter than he. “Do you realize everyone in this room is watching to see what will happen between you and me?”

  “I doubt that.” He took a sip of his wine. “It’s a very large room.”

  “And a fair proportion of the people here are relations of mine.” She paused. “Which means they probably remember our…circumstances.”

  “Nonsense.” He shrugged. “It was a long time ago. Far juicier scandals
have occupied people’s attentions since then. I daresay most have forgotten ours altogether.”

  “Have you?”

  “One tends to put unpleasantries aside and go on with one’s life. So, no, I have not forgotten, just as I have not forgotten being stung by a bee when I was eleven or a nasty spill from a horse when I was fifteen.” Or having my heart broken at the age of three-and-twenty.

  “I remember the two of us quite clearly.”

  “The two of us?” Gideon smiled pleasantly. “If I recall, there never really was an us, was there? There was a me. There was definitely a you. And I seem to remember a he but never truly an us.”

  She laughed. “You are exceptionally droll, Gideon. I don’t remember you being quite so…”

  He raised a brow, “Charming?”

  “No, I remember your charm.” She studied him curiously. “Cynical was the word I was going to use. And arrogant, I think.”

  “Time, my lady, marches inexorably on and takes with it the innocence and trust of youth.”

  “Oh my.” She winced. “That was cynical.”

  “As well as accurate.” He nodded. “Now then, Lady Braxton—”

  “Violet. You always called me Violet.”

  “Yes, well, now you are Lady Braxton. The rules of behavior between us have changed.”

  She stared at him. “I did not expect you to be so cold.”

  What did you expect? “Once again, my apologies. My intention was not to be cold. I was simply trying to be polite.”

  “Is it difficult? To be polite to me?”

  “Not at all. I am unfailingly polite to people I scarcely know.”

  “I see.” Her gaze searched his. “You’re not glad to see me then?”

  “I am neither glad to see you nor dismayed. My reaction can best be described, as we noted earlier, as surprised. Even shocked would be reasonably accurate.” He chuckled. “One does not expect to be confronted with the mistakes of one’s youth at a gathering in honor of an elderly lady.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “And I was a mistake?”

  “Perhaps my greatest. But I was young and foolish, and mistakes are often made by the young and the foolish.” He leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. “I should advise you to keep a smile on your face. You wouldn’t want those watching to think this encounter was anything but pleasant.”

  At once a smiled curved her lips. “You’re right of course. You should know, you are not the only one who made mistakes.”

  He raised his glass to her. “Oh, I was well aware of that.”

  “You might not be aware, however, that I have realized my errors and I regret each one.” She paused for a moment. “It’s not too late to correct them.”

  “I am not certain exactly what you are saying, Lady Braxton.” Gideon chose his words carefully. “But I have found some mistakes can never be corrected and are best left in the past. Especially those of youth and stupidity.”

  She shook her head. “We have a great deal to talk about, you and I.”

  “Again I’m afraid I disagree.” He looked firmly into her violet eyes. “We have nothing to talk about. Oh, perhaps if we meet on the street, the topic of the weather would be of interest to us both. Or if we again come face to face at a party like this one, the quality of champagne or the stuffiness of the room might be something we can exchange a word or two about. Beyond that, I see nothing whatsoever that you and I have to talk about. Now, if you will excuse me.”

  “Of course.” The look in her eyes belied the sweetness of her smile. “But this discussion is not yet over, Gideon.”

  “On the contrary, Lady Braxton. Any discussion between us ended nine years ago.” He nodded politely, turned, and made his way through the crowd.

  There were indeed any number of eyes focused on him. And her. He hadn’t the slightest doubt anyone watching would have seen nothing whatsoever to remark upon. But Violet was right. Their meeting would have been fodder for gossip had either of them reacted with anything other than feigned politeness. Damn, he needed to get out of here. At the very least, he needed fresh air and a few minutes to compose himself.

  To say he was surprised by his unexpected encounter with Violet was an understatement. Why, he’d been stunned into insensibility. Had become a blithering idiot. Or nearly so. It had, he supposed, all things considered, gone as well as could be expected, given he hadn’t the faintest idea she would be here. Not that he hadn’t rehearsed this meeting over and over again through the years, although admittedly it had been a long time since he had done so. Seeing her again was a shock, of course, and at the moment, he wasn’t at all sure how he felt about it. Or rather, about her. Her appearance brought up all kinds of emotions he’d thought were long since put to rest. No, not emotions exactly, but definitely confusion. The question now was why. Surely he had no lingering feeling for her. Indeed, at this point in his life he shouldn’t feel anything whatsoever about her, let alone confusion.

  He skirted the edge of the ballroom, found a door, stepped into the corridor, and came face to face with Judith.

  “Gideon.” Her eyes widened with surprise. “I was just—”

  Without thinking he grabbed her shoulders, pulled her to him, and kissed her long and hard. It was an impulse and not an especially smart one at that, particularly for a man who had just escaped one situation fraught with the potential for gossip. Still, it—Judith—was exactly what he needed.

  “Dear Lord.” A groan sounded behind Judith.

  At once he released her and stepped back. Judith stared up at him.

  “Are you insane? Have you no sense at all?” Lady Dinsmore glared at him. “You cannot go about kissing people willy-nilly in corridors. Especially if you have no idea if you are alone or who might be watching. Why, there might have been a…a flock of people standing behind Judith instead of just me. Fortunately, I am extremely discreet.”

  “You’re right.” Gideon nodded. “I don’t know what came over me. You have my sincere apologies for my inappropriate behavior, my gratitude for your discretion, and my deepest regret if I have caused you any embarrassment whatsoever.”

  “I rather liked it,” Judith murmured.

  “Well, admittedly, it did not look unpleasant,” Lady Dinsmore said grudgingly. “Even so, Judith has gone to great pains through the years to be circumspect in regard to her…adventures.”

  Judith’s eyes widened. “Susanna.”

  Lady Dinsmore ignored her. “Not that this is at all like any of her other three adventures. You have already lasted well beyond any of them and spent far more time in her b—”

  “Susanna!” Judith snapped. “That’s quite enough!”

  Lady Dinsmore gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth. “Lord help me. I cannot believe I just said that. Judith—”

  “Perhaps it’s best if we end this discussion with apologies all around,” Gideon said quickly, “and forget everything any of us has seen or heard.”

  Lady Dinsmore’s brows drew together. “Would you really do that? Forget what I just said?”

  “Will you forget what you just saw?” Gideon stepped closer, took her hand, and raised it to his lips. He kept his gaze trained on hers. “If you can find it in your heart to do so, I shall be eternally in your debt.”

  The hint of a smile curved the lady’s lips. “You are a charming devil, my lord. I can certainly see why Judith—”

  “Susanna,” Judith said through clenched teeth, “I think you’ve said more than enough, particularly if you wish to continue to be considered discreet. Although”—her eyes narrowed—“I believe that ship has left the port.”

  “Yes of course,” Lady Dinsmore said weakly and wrinkled her nose. “I do tend to do that on occasion.”

  “Do what?” Gideon adopted an innocent air. “I can’t recall a thing you might have said or done here that is the least bit objectionable. It seems to me we were discussing nothing more than the success of the party.” He leaned toward her. “A rousing success, I might add
.”

  Lady Dinsmore brightened. “Do you really think so?”

  “I do indeed.” Gideon nodded solemnly.

  “Although the queen has not yet arrived.” Lady Dinsmore sighed.

  “And when she does,” Gideon said firmly, “your grandmother’s birthday party will be an even greater success than expected.” He paused in a knowing way. “Think of what your sisters will say.”

  Judith snorted.

  Lady Dinsmore grinned. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” She studied him for a moment. “I further think I might have been wrong about you.”

  He smiled slowly, the kind of slightly wicked smile he had long ago learned could be an effective weapon. “I do hope so, my lady.”

  Lady Dinsmore stared. “Yes, well…” She cleared her throat. “I should return…” She waved vaguely at the door to the ballroom.

  “Absolutely. I cannot imagine that you have not already been missed. I say.” He leaned toward her in a conspiratorial manner. “Do you think it would be a mistake if I were to spend a few private moments with Lady Chester? On the terrace perhaps?”

  “It would most certainly be a mistake. But then what between the two of you is not a mistake?” Her eyes twinkled. “As it is rather a brisk night, I shouldn’t be too long if I were you.”

  “Thank you, Lady Dinsmore.” He opened the door for her.

  Lady Dinsmore’s gaze slipped to Judith and then back to him. “About that slip of the tongue that I—”

  “Now, now.” Gideon wagged his finger at her. “You said nothing and I heard nothing.”

  “Yes, of course.” Lady Dinsmore looked at Judith and smiled weakly. Gideon could have sworn some unspoken message passed between them in that language women have that men cannot decipher. She glanced at him once more, then disappeared back into the ballroom.

  “What exactly do you think you were doing with Susanna?”

  “I believe I was charming her.” He took Judith’s hand and started toward the terrace. “I was good, wasn’t I?”

  Judith laughed. “As always. But why—”

  “Because she is your dearest friend and I wish for her to like me.”

  “I think it worked,” Judith said under her breath. “Why are we going to the terrace?”