“We’ll join you in a moment,” Beatrix said.
Hero looked at Valiant and then his wife. Then he nodded and disappeared.
The entire theatre grew quiet as the music began.
“We can discuss this later,” Valiant said. “I don’t wish for you to miss the play.”
Beatrix took her arm and began to lead her away from the box. “I don’t care for this particular comedy anyway. I came for you.”
Valiant looked at her. “I hate that I forced all of you to come out tonight.”
Beatrix smiled. “Valiant, we are all family. It is what we do. No one will complain, I can assure you. Especially when we know you’d have done the same for us. It is what family does.”
Valiant had never been prouder to claim Beatrix as her sister. “You were born to be a Curbain.”
Beatrix laughed. “I think you are right.”
They moved down the stairs and went to another hall. There was a small red drawing room where a few ladies’ maids had gathered, but when they saw Valiant and Beatrix, they left quietly.
Beatrix closed and locked the door, shutting out most of the noise from the theatre and then moved to a seat.
Valiant had barely taken her own seat before Beatrix spoke. “Now, tell me what’s been going on? It is clear you have feelings for Anthony.”
Did she have feelings for Anthony? Yes, she did, but she never allowed herself to think about them. The only one that even concerned her was desire.
“I believe… we were forming a friendship. I hurt him though,” Valiant said.
“You hurt him?” Again, Beatrix was stunned. “How so?”
That was where things grew more complicated. Telling her anything would lead to that night in Anthony’s carriage two years ago.
Valiant bit her lip.
Beatrix straightened and tilted her head as she looked Valiant over. “What happened the night of my debutante ball?”
Valiant’s eyes widened. How had Beatrix guessed at her thoughts so accurately?
Beatrix leaned forward and held her gaze steadily. “I was there that night. Do you not recall? I came after Asher arrived.”
Valiant recalled. “Beatrix, I cannot tell you what took place in that carriage.”
“You did something, said something, to make Anthony break the engagement,” Beatrix said, sounding very convinced. “He didn’t accept Asher’s challenge to a duel, and I do not believe he’d have so easily let me go. As long as I have known him, Anthony becomes relentless when there is something that he wants.”
Valiant sighed and closed her eyes. She was going to tell her. “Perhaps, he thought of something he wanted more.”
Beatrix gasped.
Valiant opened her eyes as her sister-in-law grabbed her shoulders. Her expression was haunted. “Valiant, what did you do? Did he? Did you…”
“No!” Valiant covered her hand with her own. “Nothing happened that night except… We made a wager.”
Beatrix stiffened and blinked. Some of the fear drained from her. Some, but not all. “What sort of wager?”
“I would find him a wife who would love him.” Valiant patted her hand. “But if I failed…”
Beatrix’s eyes went wide again. “You’d become his mistress.”
“Only for a night.” Valiant pulled in a breath. “I was so sure of myself that night. Lady Payton had been in love with him. She’d told me so herself. The arrangement would have worked, but then my father died the next day and then Noah. It kept me in mourning during the Season. I missed my chance over and over again.”
“But he’s with Miss Milton now,” Beatrix said as she relaxed further and then finally let her go. “So, you’ve nothing to fear.”
If only fear were her only issue. “I hurt him, Beatrix. We’d grown close, I believe. But then I ruined everything. I don’t want him to hate me.”
Beatrix smiled slowly and then shook her head. “I didn’t want to marry him, but deep down, I’ve always cared about Anthony. It’s good to know someone else besides me and my brother do, because I was starting to think Benedict and I were simply mad.”
Valiant smiled. “He’s not as terrible as people seem to believe.”
Beatrix folded her hands on her lap. “That is because he wants people to believe him to be terrible,” she said with mild exasperation. “He doesn’t let anyone close. It was likely the only reason he wished to marry me. He’d let me in when we were younger. He trusted me.”
And he’d trusted Valiant until she’d broken it. “I asked him if I didn’t deliver on my part of the deal, if he would force himself upon me.”
Beatrix’s lips parted. Her expression of revulsion said it all. “Oh, Valiant. That is likely the worst thing you could have said.”
Valiant shut her eyes. “I know.”
“No, you don’t,” Beatrix said. “You don’t understand. Anthony is very serious about such matters, especially given what his father did to him. That event all but made Anthony who he is today.”
Valiant opened her eyes. They burned with unshed tears. “It was a foolish thing to say. I was simply nervous.”
Beatrix leaned forward and took her hand. “I know. He’s overwhelming at times.”
Overwhelming? He overpowered her every thought. He was a force greater than she could fight, and he’d been right when he said she desired him.
“Talk to him,” Beatrix said. “Tell him the truth. He’ll forgive you.”
Valiant shook her head. “He won’t.”
“He will.” Beatrix stood. “He doesn’t have that many people who care. He’ll forgive you. Now, are you ready to return to the box?”
“Not just yet.” Valiant’s mind had only begun to work on what Beatrix had said. Would Anthony forgive her?
“Very well,” Beatrix said. “I’ll tell the family not to worry and forbid them from hunting you down so that you can have a few moments alone. Come whenever you are ready.”
“Thank you.” Valiant gave her the best smile she could as she watched her go.
∫ ∫ ∫
1 7
Beatrix’s words truly hit Valiant once she was alone. A great amount of pain and pity for Anthony filled her. Were Benedict and Beatrix truly all he had? No brothers or sisters? Aunts of cousins? Valiant had mourned Noah’s death, but she’d been fortunate to have been surrounded by her family’s love.
They were nearly as relentless in seeing to her happiness as Anthony had been at trying to get her in bed.
She pressed her lips together and tried to remember the way his mouth had felt against hers. That moment had stirred so much hunger and uncertainty within her, yet she hadn’t wanted to let him go.
Perhaps, it was best there was some distance between them now, but Valiant wasn’t ready to let the friendship go entirely.
What would she have done if Hero or one of her brothers had decided to not speak to her?
She recalled forcing herself into Asher’s room less than a month ago when she’d informed him that he was being foolish to let Everly go.
And look how well the couple was doing now!
She would force Anthony to speak to her, she decided.
She was startled when the door opened and even more when Anthony came in. He looked around and then his eyes settled on her. She witnessed the flash of recognition in his gray eyes before they emptied of emotion.
His hand remained on the door handle, and he didn’t dare move farther into the room.
Which she thought good, because, at the moment, Valiant could hardly handle the sight of him. He was the finest man she’d ever seen. Dressed in a dark suit with tails with a pristinely white shirt, cravat, and gloves, he looked every bit the villain people insinuated him to be. His bold bronze coloring was stark against his other contrasting colors. There were lights in the room but also shadows. They clung to his visage, stroking his features, defining him along with long black lashes that cupped his half-closed eyes.
She couldn’t speak.
&n
bsp; But he seemed to have no trouble doing so. “I didn’t know you were in here. I saw Beatrix in the corridor. She asked me to come and get the shawl she left in here. Have you seen it?” He spoke as though they were strangers.
It hurt.
Yet amazingly, Valiant’s voice returned to her. “She wasn’t wearing a shawl.”
He blinked and then made a noise in the back of his throat. “It appears I’ve been set up then. Have a good evening.” He started to close the door.
“Wait.” She stood.
He stopped. His eyes remained on her.
“Would you care to join me?”
His gaze remained sharp. “No, I must return to the play and my company.”
He clearly did not intend to make this easy for her.
She thought to let him go, but then ignored the thoughts. “It would only be for a moment.”
“It’s a public theatre,” he countered. “Anyone could stumble in on us, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want that.”
She ignored what his words had implied. “It’s a good thing the door locks then, isn’t it?”
Something flickered in his eyes. Humor? She didn’t know, but she smiled when he stepped in and shut the door. She heard the click of the lock, but he remained by the door and stubbornly crossed his arms. “We should hurry this along. If you wish to inquire about Miss Milton and myself, know that I am inclined to settle for her. She is beautiful and will make a good duchess. Is there anything else?”
“Yes.” She moved forward and stood an inch away. She lifted her chin and met his cold, distant gaze.
She held back a shiver and prayed her voice didn’t waver. “I’m sorry for what I said the other day. I was simply… nervous. You made me, make me nervous with all your talk about coupling. I never, not once, thought you would force yourself upon me. I know that is not who you are at all. Otherwise, why would you have taken the effort to woo me? Anyway…” She frowned suddenly as anger rose. “I don’t understand why you couldn’t have simply shouted no and told me to never ask you such a silly question again? Why this great anger? You must be aware of how I seem to be unraveling at the seam. Never in my entire life has a man said the things to me that you have. I’m lost in it all. I can barely remember up from down, much less what I should or shouldn’t say. It’s unfair that you would shut me out when I’ve shared more with you than anyone else.” Her eyes burned, and she looked away. “It’s not fair.”
“Fairs are for children,” he said.
Her gaze shot up. She’d been ready to pounce on him when she noticed the warmth in his eyes.
His arms fell away and then he smiled. “My goodness, Valiant, I didn’t know I’d done this to you. You’re usually quite composed, but then again, you did become quite passionate when we kissed… and when you’re angry. Why, I’m nearly inclined to do it again.”
“Do what?” she asked. “Make me angry or kiss me?”
“Both.” He tapped her nose. “But I never kiss one lady while I’m with another. I’ll take Miss Milton and her chaperone home then I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
So that he could kiss her?
She also made note how twisted his morals were, yet was glad to find he had any at all.
“You will not come to me tomorrow,” she told him. Yet just like that, her anger vanished. “Are you still angry with me?”
He shook his head. “No. I understand everything you said, though I don’t understand why you waited so long to say it. Very naughty of you to make me wait for an apology.”
She gasped. “I apologized right after the words left my lips in the garden.”
He moaned, his eyes hooded. “Best not to talk about your lips, darling.”
And just like that, the charmer was back.
She smiled and then she shook her head and took a step back. “No. There will be no more seduction. You have already said you’re going to marry Miss Milton, and I’ll not be part of any infidelity.”
“I said I was inclined to settle for her.” He stalked toward her with his hands behind his back. “I’m not so very inclined anymore.”
Settle. The word implied there to be something greater out there. The stroke of his gaze implied that ‘greater’ to be her.
Beatrix had been right. He’d forgiven her.
* * *
Anthony had more than forgiven Valiant. She’d once again become his main goal.
He’d missed her. Greatly. He’d noticed when she’d arrived at the theatre, and it had taken great restraint to not cross to her and demand she take back her words.
He’d been unimaginably hurt by her question, but he should have known Valiant wasn’t a cruel woman. She was everything that was good and sweet.
And he wanted a taste of her.
Everywhere.
Mainly her lips.
But he’d not take it tonight.
Valiant held out her hands and he stopped when his chest met her palms. Her gaze was worried. “You can’t mean that. You must marry Miss Milton.”
“No, I must not.” It took everything within him not to snatch Valiant into his arms. He instead threaded his hands together.
“But she is clearly taken with you,” Valiant said.
As though Valiant were not?
Again, he was confused by her words. She desired him, yet she continued to push him away.
But now he had the key to unlock that confusion. He unraveled her, she claimed. He made it hard for her to think.
He’d have to pull back on his seduction and simply focus on their friendship for a while.
But he didn’t have long.
And his patience grew thinner every time he saw her.
“What don’t you like about her?” Valiant asked.
“She’s not you.” He cursed the words the moment they left his mouth. If she believed herself to be losing her mind, then Anthony counted himself entirely lost.
Yet his words had the opposite effect. They didn’t repel her further.
Instead, she blushed and smiled. “That is a very sweet thing to say. I can’t imagine why you’re not already married. Imagine how happy your bride will be to have your charms.”
At the moment, his charms were solely for her.
He’d been attentive to Miss Milton, but that had only been so he could distract himself from thinking about Valiant.
He’d been unprepared to lose her. He’d forgiven her but would not trust her as wholly as he had before. This time, he would hold a portion of himself back. He had to become all about the seduction and keep the emotions that grasped for her in a firm hold.
“Tell me honestly,” she said with a tilted chin. “How have you been?”
“I’m much better now.” A truth.
“How goes the hunt for Lord Goody?” She moved to the couch and sat.
As if pulled by a string, he followed but made her take the other end of the couch. “I’ve yet to find anything else. Tell me, what other things would you imagine make a good gentleman besides his hat?” He hoped her to lead him to another place of inquiry.
She barely took a moment to think. “Honor. Kindness.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Something that can be purchased.”
She did think then. “Well, you would know better than me all a gentleman needs. But honestly, I can’t understand why he’d buy a hat meant to impress yet keep himself in hiding.”
“You make a fine point.” He leaned back against the armrest. “I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. Perhaps, there is someone he is personally trying to impress.”
“A lady perhaps?” Her eyes widened. “Do you think him to be trying to court someone?”
“Maybe.” It was the only thing that made sense.
She suddenly changed the subject. “If you marry Miss Milton, and if she cares for you, I think you should try and be faithful to her.”
He lifted a brow. “What brought this about?”
“My thoughts on honor and kindness,” she said. “Though
I know these things can’t be purchased…” She hesitated and said, “They can be learned.”
He tried to take no offense but failed.
∫ ∫ ∫
1 8
“You believe I would not be kind to my wife?” Anthony asked.
Valiant straightened, a show that she would not be moved from this topic. “You requested a woman who would love you. It is only fair that you try and love her in return.”
Fair point. “I did not request a wife at all.”
She sighed. “Either way. If I win, if Miss Milton loves you, please honor the match. Otherwise, she’ll likely feel inclined to do to you what you do to all those lords whose wives you sleep with.”
He jerked back. “I don’t sleep with married women.” Then he paused and decided to reveal yet another truth about himself. “I admit, during those first months after my father’s betrayal and death, I was not so particular about my women, but I’ve since seen the error of my ways.”
She blinked. “But the rumors…”
He crossed his arms. “Ask those wives when last I touched them, and you will know it has been many years.”
She stared at him and blinked again. “But you challenged me two years ago.”
“That was different,” he said.
She crossed her own arms, mimicking his look. “How so?”
“I never expected you to accept. I simply wished to see how far you would go in order to ensure your family’s happiness.” And, as always, she’d surprised him.
She rolled her eyes in disbelief.
He shook his head. “Think about it. I never approached you again about the matter until a week ago.”
Her gaze returned to him and her hands fell. He saw reason registering on her face.
He dropped his own arms and leaned forward. “I left you alone for two years. If I’d wanted you in my bed during that time, believe me, I would have sought you out. But you were married. That is no longer the case.”
* * *
Valiant couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Anthony’s lack of self-control had been one of the reasons—perhaps the main reason—she’d used to keep her distance. She could never consider someone who couldn’t respect the bonds of marriage.
The Last Duke (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 10