Dare smirked, bowing to his friend. “Why Joseph, this is my new wardrobe. Do you like it?” He affected the pose of a preening dandy, enjoying the shocked expression still affixed to his friend’s face.
Then Joseph broke out in a grin. “I adore it! What possessed you?”
“It’s your birthday. I thought I might give homage to your fashion sense. Is it too much, do you think?”
“No, no, it’s perfect.” He tugged on his wife’s arm and announced, “Darling, look at what Landis has worn for me.”
Briar turned and burst into laughter. “Oh, is that is why you had to run off today? Now I understand. You look quite remarkable.”
That was certainly the word for it. He was wearing the purple jacket with blue silk buttons. His starched white cravat billowed from his chin to a multi-hued waistcoat made up of blue, green, and purple ribbons. It appeared he’d been entrapped by drunken maypole dancers. He’d finished off the outfit with dark blue breeches and tasseled boots. Pierre had declared him “tres magnifique!” Dare could only imagine what Frances’ horrified response would be.
Tugging on his arm, Joseph urged him, “Come, let us join the festivities. I cannot wait to see everyone’s reaction. You have ensured that people will be talking about my party for months.”
Yes, they would. Dare shuddered. He pulled out his snuffbox to steady himself and then headed into the crowded room.
Graves was the first to approach him. “What the deuce have you got on, Landis?”
“I thought I’d give Duxbury a taste of his own medicine.”
“Poison, is more like it,” he scoffed.
“Well, I love it,” Joseph interjected. “In fact, I may have something similar made.”
“Too bad it won’t look as attractive on you as it does me,” Dare said with a smirk.
As Joseph feigned a pout, Dare excused himself and crossed the room. He had spotted William near the terrace doors and was eager to get some of the evening’s unpleasantness out of the way. He pretended not to notice the stares his presence caused, rippling through the room as he swept through.
Planting himself boldly in front of his oldest friend, he glared, as though daring him to walk away. Judging by the look on the man’s face, he was considering just that.
“Yes?” William spat out a single word.
Willing his voice to remain steady, Dare looked into his eyes and gave the speech he had been rehearsing for hours. “William, I am a blackguard of the first order. Your wife is a charming woman who loves you dearly and I had no right to accuse her of treachery. I realize I behaved abysmally and the only excuse I can offer is that, after a week of endless romance and familial affection, on top of being shot, I succumbed to a moment of insanity. Regardless, I have no excuse for insulting you or her. I pray you will accept my apology and forgive me.”
He swallowed hard, watching his friend, trying to gauge his reaction. He was fully prepared to take a blow if it came to that. He deserved nothing less. Therefore, he didn’t flinch when he saw William’s arm come towards him. But instead, he found himself engulfed in an uncomfortably solid hug.
“You insolent bastard. I have no idea why I put up with your outrageous behavior, but I confess, I’ve missed you beyond measure. God help me.” He released his grip a moment before pulling Dare back into a hug. “Betsy will be furious, and I may spend a month sitting alone at the dinner table, but yes, I forgive you.”
Dare knees went weak. Never had he expected to feel such a flood of relief. He smiled and thumped his friend on the back. “All right you pathetic sot. Now keep your hands to yourself or I’ll have to go insult another family member,” he growled, causing William to chuckle.
Drawing back, an unexpected sentence burst from his lips. “Would it help if I apologized to your wife?”
“Ho, no!” A grin crossed William’s face. “I never told her what you said. She just knows you crossed a line, and she thought nothing of giving you a cut direct on my behalf. I think it best if I smooth things over with her.”
Dare breathed a sigh of relief. “As you wish.”
Grabbing two glasses from a passing footman, he asked, hopefully, “Friends?”
William clinked his glass. “For now, you rotter.”
Eager to put this unpleasantness behind them, Dare gave an abashed grin and steered the conversation onto more familiar ground. “Now, William, tell me about Hades. Is he truly faster than Acheron? I’ve never won with a grey horse and I hesitate to place too big a wager on him.”
As anticipated, William launched into a description of his colt’s bloodline, detailing the advantages over its closest foe. Dare stood there, content, as the ordinariness of the evening washed over him. He exhaled with relief. Knots in his shoulders he hadn’t even realized were there, slowly released. It didn’t take long before his friends followed William’s lead and joined the conversation.
Dare struggled to maintain a dignified demeanor as they took turns taunting his attire, but eventually even he succumbed to laughter. He’d never enjoyed humiliation more.
With that trial over with, he was anxious to address his other problem. He spotted Nivea across the room. Wearing a brazen gown of bronze, her bodice was low enough to display a tempting expanse of succulent white skin. Not the only one to notice, a few conniving gentlemen had circled her. And worse yet, she was smiling back at them.
Joseph’s words echoed in his head. If you don’t apologize, she may turn to someone else. He could not allow that to happen.
Making his excuses, he skirted the room and placed himself in an alcove, strategically located between Nivea and the lemonade. It was a warm evening and she was sure to need a drink soon. He just hoped she was alone when she decided to approach. He wasn’t at all sure what her reaction would be, but he was fairly certain it wouldn’t be pleasant. He just hoped he could find the words to make it up to her.
For once, luck was with him. He heard her ask her companions if they cared to join her for a refreshment. They declined, choosing instead to go mingle.
As she headed toward the table, Dare stepped forward and she barreled right into him.
“Excuse me, milord. I didn’t see anyone there,” she exclaimed into his chest.
It wasn’t until she stepped back and realized it was him that she recoiled. He couldn’t have her escape before he could apologize, so he hastily grabbed her arm.
Ahh, the scent of vanilla. That’s what he’d missed. What he’d craved. As she gazed up at him, her eyes wide with alarm, he realized just how lovely she was. Curvy and soft and sweet. He had to make her forgive him. Somehow.
She tugged her arm once. Twice. Then her lips compressed and her lashes fluttered shut as she struggled to regain her composure.
Then she slowly raised her eyes, taking in his tasseled boots, beribboned waistcoat, and violent purple jacket. Once her gaze fixed on his face…she burst out laughing. “Lord Landis, I did not realize this was a costume party.”
That was embarrassing. He’d forgotten he was attired like a frivolous fop. With a sheepish shrug, he responded, “I thought I’d give Joseph a birthday treat. I had this made up in his honor.”
Nivea’s brows flew up in surprise. Then her eyes grew soft, and an engaging smile curled up the corner of her mouth. “What an uncommonly nice gesture. It is rare that you would risk your dignity for a friend. I’m sure he loved it.”
Dare flushed. She was pleased by his actions. A whole host of unfamiliar emotions washed over him—happiness, even contentment. This is what he had been missing.
He had to put things to right. “Nivea,” he started, his voice low and urgent, “please allow me a moment of your time.”
She looked wary, but didn’t step away. Encouraged by that, he held out his hand and guided her into the alcove for some privacy. His heart was pounding so hard, it was like horses were galloping through his chest.
As she stared up at him with those wide, blue eyes, he tried to remember the words he had carefully crafted through
the week. But once he had her hand in his, felt the warmth of her touch, he knew he must speak from the heart. “Nivea, I hardly know what to say. I have no excuse for my behavior. I had no right to speak to you as I did, and once again, I must beg your forgiveness.”
He paused, hoping she would say something. Give him a hint as to whether she was amenable to his apology or squaring up to slap him. But her gaze had fixed on his hideous beribboned waistcoat, and he couldn’t read her expression.
Well, there was no getting around it. He would have to press on. “Nivea, you have been nothing but kind to me, and yet I have treated you abominably. I had no right to accuse you of the things I did, and I am deeply sorry.”
Now came the truly difficult part. “As I’m sure you have guessed, I am not comfortable speaking about my personal life, and confiding in you was very…disconcerting. There are precious few people I trust in this world, and I foolishly decided you were not worthy of that honor. I now realize it is I who am unworthy. I hope you can forgive me. I…I value your friendship and do not want us to be on bad terms.”
There. He’d done it. He’d laid his soul bare.
Afraid it had not been enough, Dare was unable to face her. So, he stood there, focusing on her gloved hand resting in his. How he wished he could touch her skin, feel her pulse, know if it was racing as fast as his. He could hardly breathe.
Then she reached up and stroked his cheek. “Oh Dare, of course I forgive you. Who knows better than I what you’ve been through? I’m just glad you’ve come back to us.”
Oh, thank God. He exhaled so violently, the wisps of hair around her face stirred.
She chuckled at that, her smile inviting. She looked at him with such a warm, gentle expression, he wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless. But then, she stepped back. “I heard that you made up with William.”
Her pink cheeks betrayed her. She was affected by him too. But she was determined to keep their conversation proper. He could play that game too. For now.
“Did you? Word travels fast.”
“Yes, it does. I was also informed that no one had ever heard you apologize before, and they were quite sure you were going to choke on your tongue.”
“Oh, really?” He attempted to glare at her, until he saw the delightful smile that had crept up her face. “Did that please you?”
“That you almost choked? A little.” She laughed, before confessing, “But I am so glad you did. William has missed you dreadfully, you know.”
“And you? Did you miss me?” Dare was appalled at the neediness in his voice. He could not remember ever missing a woman before. Or caring whether she had missed him.
Thankfully, she whispered, “Yes, I did.”
Keeping his eyes averted, so she wouldn’t see the remnants of fear in his eyes, he asked, “So, we can be friends?”
“I’d like that.” And she squeezed his hand.
Euphoria washed over him, driving away the odd prickly feeling that had seeped into his bones. It took every ounce of self control not to crush her to him. How could he have stayed away from her for so long? He wanted more. He wanted to wrap around her, press her against the wall, and plunge into her once again.
Fortunately, the butler took that moment to announce that dinner was being served. He could escape without causing any more harm. Or so he thought, until Nivea leaned forward and in a surprisingly sultry voice asked, “Lord Landis, do friends escort each other into dinner?”
Yes, exclaimed his long-dormant libido.
No, begged his self control, afraid he would find himself leg-shackled by midnight.
“Certainly, milady.” His libido had resolved the situation before he could mount a sensible argument.
Chapter 39
Nivea could hardly contain her delight. Adair Landis was sitting next to her.
He had apologized to her, escorted her to dinner, and was now seated so close, she could have rubbed her leg against his, if she wished to. And she wished to in the worst way.
When she had seen him arrive tonight, it had taken all her self control to ignore him. She’d refused to reveal herself as a pathetic love-struck sycophant, willing to excuse his outrageous accusations. But then, when he had cornered her, and she’d observed his ridiculous attire, well, all her defenses had crumbled. He was trying to make amends, to her, to William, to all their friends. It was an enormous step forward. She had to forgive him.
And now, sitting next to him, she was trembling with excitement. What would happen now? What would be his next step?
Around the table, she noticed a number of her friends staring at them outright—their expressions ranging from bemusement to outright shock. Lord Landis never escorted an unmarried female to dinner, unless directed by their hostess. But he had strolled in with her as though it was an everyday occurrence.
True, he wasn’t talking to her, but she could sense that he was casting occasional glances her way. It was…well, it was an irrevocable step forward in their relationship. Although, he did not appear to notice it. He was too busy trying to deflect a large amount of good-hearted ribbing, on account of his clothing.
“Lord Landis, did you lose a bet?”
“Adair, were you attacked by an outraged ribbon merchant?”
“I think you need to let your manservant go. He was obviously drunk this evening.”
He was smiling in remarkably good humor, but Nivea could tell he was uncomfortable. He was not used to playing the fool.
He looked quite handsome, in spite of the outrageous fashion. How could one overlook his intense dark eyes or silky black hair? Or those tantalizing full lips. She imagined them pressing against her neck, his tongue trailing fire along the sensitive skin of her collarbone. She shivered. Oh yes, she could forgive him for not speaking to her, as long as she could be alone with him once again.
Embarrassed by the direction of her thoughts, Nivea tried to focus her attention on the neighbor seated to her right. Fortunately, Joseph’s uncle was happy to ramble on, requiring virtually no response from her.
It wasn’t until the fish course was being removed that Dare turned to her. “Did you enjoy your meal, Miss Horsham?” His face was an impassive mask, although his eyes traveled over her form. That was certainly a good sign.
“Yes, it was delicious.” In truth, she couldn’t recall a single course. “Did you?”
“Yes, actually,” he responded. “I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, but I found tonight’s meal very satisfying.”
They lapsed into silence. Dare’s eyes roamed around the room a moment before he abruptly announced, “Briar has had a special treat prepared for dessert. I think you will enjoy it.” Then he seemed to flush and shifted away from her.
“I’m sure I will like it. Briar is an excellent hostess. Would you care to offer me a hint?”
He turned his head toward her, but his eyes were fixed on the back wall, as though deliberately avoiding hers. “No, never mind. Forget I said anything.” He shifted again in his seat before turning toward his neighbor.
That was odd. What about dessert would make him uncomfortable? Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long to learn about the treat. As soon as the dishes were cleared, Briar stood up and called for attention. “For dessert this evening, I have prepared a special surprise for you all. Please come with me as we adjourn across the hall.”
They walked to the closed doors. Briar pulled her husband to the front and flung open the doors. “Happy birthday, darling!”
Joseph let out a hoot of laughter and raced inside.
Nivea was so pleased to find Dare still by her side, she didn’t notice the room at first. Then he leaned over and murmured in her ear, “Well, what do you think?”
It was then she became aware of the myriad of treats around the room.
“Oh, Dare, it’s divine! Look at it all. It’s like a confectionary shop. Oh, and just smell the heavenly scent!” She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
&
nbsp; When she opened her eyes, she noticed his pained expression. “Are you all right?”
He nodded. “I’m not much for sweets. I think I will go join the other men for a port.” With that, he turned and disappeared through the doors so quickly one would think his feet were on fire.
She sighed. And so continued the mysterious behavior of the elusive Lord Landis.
Trying to push it out of her mind, she filled her plate and indulged in a comforting array of pastries.
Chapter 40
Dare avoided Nivea as much as he could that evening. His ridiculous attire made him the center of attention, and he knew it would be hazardous for both of them if he spent too much time in her presence.
Besides, if he got too close to her, there was no guarantee he could stop himself from touching her. Nuzzling her. Devouring her. That would be a catastrophe of epic proportion.
He had hoped that once he’d apologized, he could go on his merry way, but apparently this odd obsession had not yet run its course. So, he contented himself talking with William and watching her from afar. At ease in this small gathering of friends, she flitted among guests like a queen bee enjoying a garden of roses. But her tender smile, her boisterous laugh called to him.
When she joined the dance floor, escorted by a young relative of Joseph’s, he had to fight back an overwhelming urge to march over and yank her away. No doubt the undisciplined pup was trying to charm her with ridiculous tales while peeking down her bodice. And the trusting girl was probably fascinated, hanging on his every word.
As they spun past, Nivea caught his eye, gave him a shy smile and waved two fingers in his direction. And just like that, jealousy turned to joy. He inclined his head and sent her an answering grin.
God’s blood, he was acting like a love-sick swain. Forcing a languid sneer to his lips, he returned his attention to William, enjoying the man’s simple banter. He was amazed how much he’d missed the old goat. Their conversation was nothing of consequence, but there was no annoying bluster or foolish posturing. It was so refreshing.
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