Lords of Passion

by Virginia Henley

  “Goddamn it, why have these wooden crates been left in the entrance hall?” Charles demanded as he walked through the door of Richmond House. “If we’d been three sheets to the wind, we could have killed ourselves.”

  Anne appeared at the top of the stairs. “Well, well, look what the wind blew in. I suspected the prodigal son had returned when I saw all this claptrap piled in the hall.”

  Charles glanced up at his sister. “Ah, you are just the one I want to see.” He took the stairs two at a time.

  She stared at the man who stood before her, taking in the wide shoulders and the sun-burnished face. Then she said slowly, “You were at the theater tonight. Why the devil didn’t you say something, Charles?”

  “I’m saying something now,” he said impatiently.

  Henry Grey sidled past the siblings and bade Charles good night. He could have been invisible for all the notice they took of him.

  “Who was the lady sitting with you in the box tonight?”

  “Princess Caroline, of course. Who else would be sitting in the Royal Box?”

  “I’m not an idiot, Anne. I know the Princess of Wales when I see her.”

  The corners of Anne’s mouth went up. “You used to be an idiot, Charles.” She turned, walked into the sitting room, and poured herself a glass of wine. “Don’t tell me you were converted on the Road to Damascus?”

  “I truly appreciate your brilliant wit, Anne, but I’m serious. I want to know the name of the beautiful young female who was with you tonight.”

  She gazed at him from beneath her lashes, trying to gauge whether or not her brother was being facetious, as was his habit when he was younger. She decided to put him to the test. “I don’t know who she is … a friend of Caroline’s I presume.”

  “Hellfire, you must know her name at least!”

  Anne was suddenly convinced that her brother hadn’t the faintest idea that the beauteous Sarah was his own wife. She realized instantly that the situation was deliciously entertaining. “I didn’t quite catch her name when we were introduced, and we didn’t get a chance to speak because Prince Frederick monopolized her all evening.”

  “That tall, gawky youth was Prince Frederick?”

  Her glance swept him from head to foot. “Yes, isn’t it amazing the transformation that can take place in three years’ time?” She sipped her wine thoughtfully. “Did you bring me a treasure from some far-off decadent city?”

  “You always were a greedy little witch.”

  Anne clapped her hands. “You really have been converted. You used to call me bitch, not witch! Don’t tell me you have a newfound respect for the opposite sex?”

  Charles smiled at his sister. “Was I really such an insufferable swine?”

  “Yes.” She laughed, accepting the hug he offered. “And I don’t believe for one minute the leopard has changed his spots.”

  He looked down at her and waggled his black eyebrows. “Tell you what. I’ll give you the treasure I’ve brought you—when you find out the beauty’s name.”

  “That’s blackmail,” she protested.

  “Merely a bribe.” He gave her a knowing smile. “In my experience, nothing works better with a woman.”

  “He’s back!” Anne said breathlessly as she hurried into the breakfast room at the Cadogan town house the next morning.

  “Who’s back?” Sarah was surprised at the early visit from her friend.

  “Charles. Your husband!”

  Sarah dropped the fruit knife she was holding and went pale. “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. He was at the theater last night. He was standing at the top of the stairs when we left the Royal Box.”

  Sarah’s hand went to her throat. “I didn’t see him.” Her thoughts went back to the theater. “The only male I saw had a powerful build and dark chiseled features.”

  “That’s him! I didn’t recognize him, either. He arrived at Richmond House shortly after me. His physical appearance has changed dramatically.”

  Sarah swallowed hard. The man I saw looked dangerous.

  Anne sat down and helped herself to a scone and strawberries. “He’s completely changed.”

  Yes … he’s taller, older, and more powerful. But I warrant he’s still a brute!

  “Here is the most divinely amusing part … he begged me to find out your name! One look and Charles was smitten. Oh, Sarah, it will be like taking bonbons from a baby to make him fall in love with you. He’s halfway there already.”

  Sarah opened her mouth in dismay and closed it again. She pushed her plate away. Her appetite had vanished like snow in summer.

  “I told my brother I had no idea who you were. But of course, that will whet his appetite. Charles even tried to bribe me. He told me he would give me the present he brought me when I found out your name. It’s such a famous jest!”

  “Yes. Priceless.”

  Anne finished her strawberries. “Are you sure I’ll be welcome at Marlborough House tonight? I didn’t receive an invitation.”

  Sarah looked at her blankly for a moment, lost in thought. Then her friend’s words penetrated. “Of course. The Dowager Duchess of Marlborough has the reputation of a dragon, but it is completely undeserved. Actually she’s my godmother. I’ve known her all my life; my mother named me for Sarah Churchill. When I was a child I often visited Blenheim Palace.”

  “Wasn’t your father one of Marlborough’s top generals?”

  “Yes, before the war my father and Marlborough had a friendly competition over which garden was superior, the one at Caversham Park Manor or Blenheim Palace.”

  “I hear the dowager duchess is filthy rich.”

  “Yes, when the duke died last month, he left her over a million pounds.”

  “Her grandson, the new Marquis of Blandford, paid court to me last year. I should have encouraged him,” Anne declared wickedly.

  “William tried to chase me with a frog when I was a little girl. I wasn’t the least bit afraid. I remember pulling his hair and making him take the frog back to the pond.”

  “Will Blandford be there tonight, do you think?”

  “I expect he will. Lady Marlborough has formally adopted her youngest granddaughter, Lady Diana Spencer, and is introducing her to society tonight.”

  “I must wear something alluring. Will you call for me tonight?”

  I’m not coming to Richmond House. “W … why don’t you meet me at Marlborough House? I’ll give you my invitation to get you inside. I’ll wait for you in the grand foyer.”

  “Where the devil are you off to tonight?” Charles looked with disapproval at the low décolletage of his sister’s peach-colored gown. “You know, Anne, I don’t think it’s proper for you to go gadding about London without a chaperone. I don’t know what Mother can be thinking to let you live here alone.”

  “But I don’t live here alone. My married brother is in residence at Richmond House.”

  His dark eyes glared coldly. “You’re being deliberately offensive. Where are you going?”

  “I’m off to Marlborough House. The dowager duchess is giving a reception tonight.”

  His features turned speculative. “You don’t suppose a certain young beauty will be attending, do you?”

  “Anything is possible,” she said innocently.

  “By an amazing coincidence, I, too, am attending the function at Marlborough House this evening. I will escort you.”

  Anne bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.

  The Earl of March stepped from the carriage at Marlborough House in Pall Mall and helped his sister, Lady Anne, to alight. He told the coachman to return at midnight.

  The majordomo who took Anne’s invitation had so much heavy gold braid on his livery, Charles murmured, “How the devil does the poor sod stand upright?”

  Anne laughed. “Your humor is decidedly irreverent.”

  The main floor foyer was packed with guests, and the staircase was filled with people ascending to the ballroom. “Seems eve
ryone and his sister are here tonight.”

  Anne ignored the barb. “They’re eager to rub shoulders with the latest millionairess.”

  “Or insulted. The old girl’s a bit of a termagant… rules with an iron hand.”

  “Men think dominance is their prerogative.”

  “It is … it’s God-given,” he said smoothly.

  Anne slipped away from him to greet the Earl of Albemarle. She was both surprised and delighted that William van was here tonight. Perhaps she could use her friendship with Blandford to make him jealous.

  Suddenly, Charles went still. There on the stairs was the lady who had dominated his thoughts to such a degree last night that he had dreamed about her. He turned to the gentleman standing next to him. “Excuse me, do you know the name of the lovely lady in green? The one carrying the ostrich feather fan?”

  The older man looked at him with a condescending smile. “You must be new to London. The young beauty is the toast of the town. She is the Countess of March.”

  Charles stared at the man, wondering if he was making fun of him. He raised his eyes to the staircase in disbelief. He felt stunned, as if a stone wall had fallen on him.

  Chapter Four

  “The jig is up, Anne. You will take me to meet your friend now.”

  She looked into his unsmiling face. “So, you learned her identity. You must admit, Charles, it was vastly amusing that you didn’t recognize your own wife.”

  “Hilarious to you, perhaps, but not the least bit funny to me. She was a child when we married … a very plain

  child.”

  “And you’re licking your lips that the ugly duckling has turned into a graceful swan.”

  Charles propelled his sister across the ballroom until they were standing before the exquisite lady with the honey-blond hair, gowned in pale green tulle.

  “Sarah, may I present my brother, the Earl of March? Charles, it gives me pleasure to introduce the Countess of March.”

  “The pleasure is mine, Lady Sarah.” He bowed, then took her hand to his lips and kissed it with reverence.

  Sarah wanted to snatch her fingers from his, but summoned the courage to examine him. She had to look up since he was a good deal taller than she was. His eyes were dark brown and, above them, his black brows were strong and well defined. His cheekbones were sharp; his mouth sensual, his face deeply tanned against the contrast of his snow-white linen.

  “It is indeed, my lord.” She lowered her lashes and languidly wafted her fan.

  “You must call me Charles.”

  “I cannot bring myself to do that, my lord, until we are better acquainted. We are strangers.”

  “That is something I intend to rectify in short order. If I have my way, we will soon be on intimate terms.”

  Sarah reminded herself that she had vowed to make him fall in love with her. She gathered her courage and raised her lashes. “Do you usually get your way, my lord?”

  “Always.” His voice was deep and smooth, his eyes as seductive as pools of dark, liquid chocolate.

  “Perhaps I shall prove the exception to the rule, my lord.”

  “Is that a challenge, my beauty?” he murmured.

  He’s so self-assured, and more than a little arrogant. Sarah shuddered.

  Charles smiled into her eyes, letting her know he had seen her reaction to him.

  Blandford joined them. The marquis made no effort to mask his amusement. “Well, well, it is extremely refreshing to see a man escort his own wife to a party. Lady Anne, it’s lovely when a family is close.”

  “Grow up, Blandford,” the earl admonished his friend.

  Though he tried, William couldn’t keep the laughter from his face. “Come, let me introduce you to my grandmother and my cousin, Lady Diana, the guest of honor tonight.”

  Blandford led the small group to the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, who sat like an aging queen upon her throne, reigning over her subjects. Before he could speak, Sarah dropped into a curtsy.

  “Hello, your grace, I am so happy to find you in good health.”

  “Sarah, my dear, I am flourishing.” Her glance flicked to her grandson. “Blandford, be sure to take care of Lady Sarah tonight.”

  “No need, Grandmother. Her husband will do the honors. Allow me to present my friend, Charles, Earl of March.”

  Sarah Churchill fixed the dark noble with a stare that almost pinned him to the wall. “So, you are the brute who caused my goddaughter such great unhappiness when they forced you upon her three years ago?”

  “I had no say in the matter, your grace. The marriage was arranged by our fathers.”

  “Mmm, to settle some shameful gaming debt, according to the rumors I heard. I have a low opinion of the male sex. When I lost my dearest daughter Anne a few years ago, her degenerate husband Sunderland wed a fifteen-year-old trollop before my daughter was cold in her grave. Men, it seems, like to warm their beds with young flesh.” She raked the Earl of March with disapproving eyes. “When Sunderland dropped dead two months ago, I celebrated the occasion. I have legally adopted my youngest granddaughter, Lady Diana. I will make sure she is matched with a husband who is worthy of her.” Her look told Charles she considered him unworthy to draw breath.

  Fourteen-year-old Lady Diana Spencer smiled and gave the Earl of March a flirtatious glance from beneath her lashes, before she sketched him a curtsy.

  Charles did not return her smile. “My wife is precious to me, your grace. I intend to take very good care of her.”

  She fixed him with a gimlet glare. “Hmph! See that you do. Your father Richmond’s marital fidelity left much to be desired.”

  Blandford bit his lip. “Grandmother, allow me to present Lady Anne Lennox, the Earl of March’s sister.”

  “Is this the gel you were chasing after last year? The one who got away?”

  Blandford flushed, and it was Charles’s turn to be amused at his friend’s discomfort.

  Lady Anne stepped forward and curtsied. “I am delighted to meet you, your grace. My friend, Lady Sarah, speaks so highly of you.”

  “And I am fond of her in return. March, make sure you treat Sarah like a lady. Ah, I hear the music starting. Bland-ford, you may partner Lady Diana in the first dance.”

  The Earl of March bowed before his wife. “Lady Sarah, may I have this dance?”

  She hesitated, but she knew it would be a breach of etiquette to rebuff him. When he held out his arm, she placed her hand upon it. He led her into the minuet, which was the most popular dance of the day. It was a stately dance with a slow pace.

  “Did you know the minuet was designed for courtship? It requires disciplined body control that looks effortless. Similar to the movements that lead up to making love.”

  Sarah blushed. “Designed for courtship? You are making that up.” She dipped beneath his arm and sank into a curtsy.

  “The lady dips low so that the gentleman is offered a glimpse of her breasts, which the corset displays to perfection.” He deliberately looked into her décolletage.

  Her blush deepened. Charles placed one leg before the other and made a courtly bow. “This movement clearly shows off the male’s legs, clad in tight breeches and stockings. ‘Tis said a gentleman leads with his calves, and a lady leads with her bosom.”

  “You shouldn’t say these suggestive things, my lord,” she said breathlessly.

  “Between a man and his wife, nothing is forbidden, no matter how suggestive.”

  “We are man and wife in name only, my lord. And I suggest that everything is forbidden until you have wooed and won me.”

  “I cannot begin my wooing until you stop saying my lord. I want you to call me Charles. I want to hear the sound of my name on your lips.”

  “Ah, my lord, I cannot.”

  “Try,” he urged. “You have such delectable lips.” The tip of her tongue came out and licked her full bottom lip.

  His dark eyes focused on her mouth. “You are teasing me, Sarah. When you do that my imagination ta
kes flight. I think of all sorts of uses to put your tongue and lips to.”

  Sarah wanted to flee, but he held her fast in the dance. She had no idea what he meant, but she knew it was something intimate. It took her a few minutes to catch her breath when the music ended, but she knew it wasn’t the dance that took her breath away, it was Charles Lennox, her newly returned husband.

  When he insisted on partnering her again in the next dance, she examined him more closely. He is nothing like the graceless youth I wed three years ago. That young brute couldn’t get away from me fast enough. Now it seems he cannot get enough of me. If I play my cards well, it shouldn’t be too difficult to take my sweet revenge.

  This time the dance was a courante. “There is something heartfelt in this music,” he murmured, “a longing on which hopes are built.”

  He’s extremely attractive in a dark, devilish way. Perhaps I will enjoy settling the score.

  When the dance ended, Charles thanked her and asked Lady Diana if he could partner her. Sarah saw that Bland-ford was about to ask Anne to dance, but Albemarle beat him to the quarry and led her sister-in-law onto the dance floor.

  Blandford smiled at Sarah. “I’d ask you to dance if Charles wasn’t so possessive of you, my lady. He’s quite capable of planting me a facer. Jealousy is such an unattractive quality in a man.”

  Sarah smiled. “In a husband I think it is delightful. Why don’t we see if we can make him miserable?”

  “Well, he just sent me a forbidding look. As a good friend, I suppose it is my duty to rub salt in his wound.” He gave the lovely girl he partnered an appraising glance. “I am amazed that the scrawny child I chased with frogs has turned into such a beauty. ‘Tis said the Countess of March is the new toast of London.”

  “Nonsense, after tonight, Lady Diana Spencer will be all the rage.”

  “She will if our grandmother has anything to do with it.”

  Sarah laughed. “The Dowager Duchess of Marlborough certainly gave March his orders, and told him to treat me like a lady, but I very much doubt that he will.”

  Blandford bent to speak in a confidential murmur. “He is quite besotted with you, Sarah. He will jump through hoops for you. I swear it was love at first sight.”