To Love a Libertine

by LeFey, Liana

  “Have I sprouted a freckle?”

  “None that I can see.” He continued to stare, unabashed.

  “Then pray tell me what you observe with such intense regard.”

  “You wear no powder or rouge.”

  A faint tinge of natural rose stained her cheeks at the blunt statement. “Is my lack of powder a shortcoming?”

  “Not at all. But it is unusual to see a woman without it. Most fashionable ladies regard powder as a necessity whether or not they require its concealing properties.”

  Her chin lifted a fraction. “I find it disagreeable and refuse to employ it. It causes my face to itch.”

  Honesty. Simple honesty. Again he was caught off guard by it. He offered his arm once more. “Many women have similar complaints, yet wear it still. Perhaps that explains some of their foul-temperedness. How fortunate you require no such artifice.”

  “Back to flattery again?”

  He grinned. “I’ve learned a little flattery does a gentleman no harm when seeking a lady’s favor.”

  “Has your curiosity concerning my person been so satisfied that you have progressed to seeking my favor?” Her eyes were alight with mischief. “Papa was correct to caution me regarding a gentleman’s haste.”

  Now he laughed outright. “There is an old saying, ‘make hay while the sun doth shine’.” He gestured to the cloudless sky above. “The sun shines most brightly today, does it not? Therefore, I say, let us make hay.”

  It earned him a genuine smile. “You, sir, are without shame.”

  “That I am, dear lady.”

  Chapter Five

  Eden remained silent thereafter, as much to regain her own solid footing as to allow him a respite. Men were more fragile than they liked to think, and she’d sore pricked his hide just now. He’d bled a little, which was a good sign. Oh yes, there was depth to the man.

  Such banter served a purpose. It was a means of sounding out and learning boundaries, finding just how far one would be permitted to delve into the mind and heart of the other.

  As they sauntered toward the lakeside to join the other partygoers, Lord Tavistoke tucked her hand a little more firmly into the crook of his arm. It was as clear a statement of possession as any, and she felt like crowing in triumph. Moments later, however, her elation drained away as he stopped and stiffened. She followed his gaze to see Lord and Lady Montgomery sitting in the shade of a tent directly ahead.

  Eden clenched her teeth on a curse as her escort began to move again, leading her in their direction. Pasting a bright smile on her face, she resolved to be as charming as possible. Perhaps the situation could be salvaged and some use made of it. At the least, it would afford her an opportunity to observe their interaction and perhaps gain insight into what it was about the woman that had him so tied up in knots.

  “Monty, Sabrina!” he called out jovially.

  To call out to another man’s wife using her Christian name was beyond the pale! Eden looked to him quickly and at once came to the conclusion he hadn’t even realized his error. Her breath caught as Lady Montgomery turned to greet them.

  “I received your letter,” said Tavistoke, smiling into the other woman’s eyes as he bent over her hand. “Please accept my most heartfelt felicitations.”

  “Thank you,” answered Lady Montgomery, her manner equally warm. “We haven’t told anyone else yet.”

  Lord Montgomery beamed. “We wanted you to be among the first to know.”

  The first to know what? Eden felt she would burst in a minute if someone didn’t tell her.

  Lady Montgomery continued, “Were Maggie a little older, our secret would likely have been out long ago. As it is, I doubt we’ll be able to keep it quiet for much longer.” She laid a hand across her midsection, flattening the cloth there to reveal a gently rounded belly.

  The tender, telling gesture said everything: the lady was enceinte. Eden’s gaze snapped to Tavistoke, whose eyes were alight with what could only be termed adoration. Quickly, she looked to Lord Montgomery, every bit expecting to see murder written on his face.

  But Lord Montgomery merely smiled indulgently at his wife. “Yes, well, thankfully our Maggie has not yet mastered the art of speech, which is all too soon followed by the art of gossip.”

  Maggie must be their first child.

  “And how is my goddaughter this day?” inquired her escort, still grinning. “Still being a troublesome little baggage?”

  Another shock. He is godfather to their first child? It was only with the strictest discipline Eden maintained her neutral expression. Obviously, there was a strong friendship between the trio despite the once-upon-a-time rivalry between the two men.

  Some of the uglier rumors concerning Tavistoke and this couple whispered at the back of her mind. Looking at Lady Montgomery, she simply couldn’t envision the woman being a party to such immorality. But looks could be deceiving. The handsomest face could conceal a very devil.

  Lady Montgomery’s expression turned wry. “Most recalcitrant, I’m afraid. She kept me awake the entire night. Unfortunately, she’s still unhappy with the loss of her wet nurse despite the fact she devours everything put before her until her belly is as round as a cannonball.”

  “She’ll settle in time,” said Tavistoke with a laugh. “My mother says girls are difficult as infants and easy as youths.”

  Eden doubted her own mother—or stepmother, for that matter—had ever said such a thing.

  Lady Montgomery chuckled. “Yes well, Maggie is a dear most of the time, but she can be quite vocal when displeased.” She patted her belly. “I can only hope this one will allow us a bit of peace, at least at night.”

  Lord Montgomery bent to kiss her cheek. “If it’s a boy, he shall no doubt behave in a far more dignified and less demanding manner than his sister.”

  His wife rapped him on the shoulder with her fan, laughing, and turned to regard Eden with open curiosity. “But Percy, do introduce us to your charming companion.”

  Yes, please do, Eden thought, exceedingly annoyed at being made to feel like part of the scenery.

  Her escort’s smile broadened. “Lord and Lady Montgomery, I present to you Miss Eden Lowther.”

  “A pleasure,” said Lady Montgomery. “You will forgive me for not rising, but I’m not feeling entirely well at the moment.” Her gaze slid to the tea and biscuits at her side.

  Immediately, Eden understood she was experiencing the nausea associated with carrying a child. Whose child, I wonder? The unspoken whisper echoed in her mind despite her earlier rejection of the scandalous suspicion. “Please, don’t concern yourself, Lady Montgomery. I should hate to cause you any discomfort.”

  “Thank you, my dear. And please call me Sabrina.” She turned to her husband. “I suppose now we’ll have to make some sort of an announcement.”

  “Oh, no,” Eden interjected. “Please don’t feel you must do so on my account. I shan’t say a word to anyone.”

  Lady Montgomery smiled as one conspirator to another. “I should like to keep it quiet for a little while longer, at least until my mother’s ball. It is only a few days from now. If we can keep it hush until then, I would be most grateful.”

  “Think nothing of it, Lady—I mean, Sabrina,” Eden amended, feeling a complete charlatan. Jealousy stung her hard as she looked at the woman, who was remarkably lovely for being in a delicate way. Why couldn’t she have broken out in spots or something?

  “I should enjoy your company again, Eden,” said Lady Montgomery, again surprising her. “Would you be able to call on me tomorrow afternoon?”

  Such an invitation could not be declined for many reasons, not the least of which was her rabid curiosity. “I would be delighted.”

  Tavistoke’s gaze slid between the two women, and Eden knew he was wondering just what would be discussed at such a meeting. What indeed?

  “I shall look forward to it,” said Lady Montgomery. Leaning back, she fanned herself. “Your pardon for my impoliteness. Being wit
h child is tiring at best, but I don’t recall ever feeling so exhausted with Maggie.”

  “It’s sure to be a boy,” murmured her husband. “Truly, my mother said I gave her far more trouble than my sisters. Rest, my love.”

  With a tired smile, his wife passed him her fan, giving him the task of helping keep her cool. “Forgive me but I must close my eyes.”

  “Of course you must,” said Tavistoke, bowing before backing out.

  Face stinging with a blush she knew must be as bright as a ripe strawberry, Eden allowed him to lead her away. It was all she could do to hold back tears of mortification—and loss. Her dream, which had for one blissful moment seemed within her grasp, had just been crushed. I am such a fool. There was no way she could compete with what she’d just seen. To want a man who loved another would be nothing but misery. I must get away from him as quickly as possible and never speak to him again.

  Mind awhirl with conflicting thoughts and emotions, she couldn’t think of a legitimate excuse to part company. Together, they checked the progress of his pavilion’s erection. It wasn’t ready yet. It wasn’t until they were through the orchard gate that she remembered she was not to have left her stepmother’s sight. She pushed down panic as he stopped beneath a tree to examine a low-hanging limb. Tiny nubs were beginning to form all along the twigs. A sure sign spring wasn’t far off.

  He spoke without turning. “I’m not sure what you’re playing at, but I don’t much care for it.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “This silence of yours.” He faced her. “I’m no fool, Eden. I would know your thoughts in the plainest possible speech.”

  She clamped her lips together, not daring to open her mouth or she would voice her honest opinion of his having behaved like a lovesick puppy over a married, pregnant woman—a woman she now suspected of bearing his child.

  “Come now,” he murmured, reaching out to tilt her face up with a gentle fingertip. “Where is the fierce little hellcat I met at the ball? I liked her far better than this shy and retiring maiden with whom I now seem to find myself.”

  Eden could no more move than she could breathe as he examined her. Outrage warred with a rush of desire. His brown-black eyes held her, darkening with every second that passed until they were like jet. Heat flashed across her skin as his thumb caressed her jaw, sending rivers of fire all the way to the tips of her extremities—among other places.

  God have mercy… No wonder women made such fools of themselves over him.

  Reason returned when he released her. Lady Montgomery hadn’t behaved like a mindless idiot around him, and neither would she. “You really want the unvarnished truth?”

  “I cannot imagine why you would ever think I should want anything else.” He slanted her a smile. “I detest dissembling. If you are bothered by something I said or did, I expect you to tell me, not put on a poor show of chilly indifference. If I want the company of a second-rate actress, I’ll visit Covent Garden. Speak your mind and have done.”

  His contempt lashed at her, slicing through all the restraint with which she’d armored herself. The presumptuous, arrogant, hypocritical ass! If honesty was what he wanted, then by George, honesty was what he would get.

  “You name me a charlatan, when you cannot even see the end of your own nose, you’re so deeply buried in the lies you’ve told yourself and everyone else!” She was gratified to see him flinch in response. “You think I did not notice the way you looked at Lady Montgomery? Do you think me and everyone else here blind? Tell me—is it Lord Montgomery’s child she carries or yours?”

  She realized her mistake the instant the words left her lips.

  Fine white lines formed at the corners of his mouth as, with none of its former gentleness, his hand shot out to again grasp her chin. “You would do well to never again besmirch that lady’s name with such disgusting and entirely untrue slander.”

  Jerking free, she stood her ground and faced him, angry beyond care. “You defend her, yet do more by your own conduct to incite such vulgar rumors than the wagging tongues of a thousand idle gossips!” Fury pounded in her veins, lending her reckless courage. “If anyone here is putting on an act, my lord, it is you. You say you want honesty from me, yet you cannot even be honest with yourself. You profess friendship with a man while coveting his wife, at the same time demanding my honesty while attempting to feed me the lie of your ‘genuine’ regard and interest!”

  For a moment he stood, surveying her with unblinking eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. “If you thought me even the slightest bit capable of such heinous acts, why did you agree to this outing?”

  Wroth over being made a dupe, she gritted her answer from between clenched teeth. “Because I liked you well enough to think the rumors could not possibly be true. I liked you well enough to give you a chance to prove you’re not the man they say you are. I shall never again be so naïve.” She glared at him with cold disdain. “I don’t expect to see you again, Lord Tavistoke. Don’t concern yourself with escorting me and my stepmother home.” Turning, she marched off in righteous indignation.

  Before she’d gone three steps, a hand grabbed her elbow.

  Infuriated at having her magnificent exit ruined, Eden rounded on him.

  …

  Head ringing and one side of his face afire, Percy blinked in astonishment. Though it had not been totally unexpected, the sheer force of her stinging slap was a surprise. Had her fist been closed, he might have been knocked on his rump.

  He couldn’t fault her for her anger. Refusing to let her go, he hauled her up against his chest and held her there, kicking the air and squeaking with fury. After several moments, her struggles finally ceased.

  Though he rather liked the feel of her pressed against him, he knew he couldn’t keep her there indefinitely. Slowly, keeping a firm grip on one wrist, he let her down and turned her around to face him. “Will you hear me?”

  “It appears I have little choice,” she hissed, lifting her imprisoned wrist. “Say what you must and release me, preferably before anyone sees us and I’m forced to endure your odious presence for the rest of my life.”

  It hit him then she could’ve simply called out for help and thereby secured his obligation. He’d have been unable to deny his fault, and her father would have rightfully demanded he marry her. It would’ve been a bloodless victory on her part, and another unwed woman in her place would not have hesitated to do it. That she had not done so bespoke the true depth of her contempt for him.

  “I know my words will mean little to you, given my recent conduct,” he told her. “But I shall prove to you their veracity. My regard for you is the very highest, and my interest in you quite genuine.” Her beautiful mouth formed a thin line, and Percy found himself longing to kiss the enticing crease back into softness. “I am not in love with Lady Montgomery.”

  The line firmed.

  “I thought I was, once,” he said, willing her to understand. “But I quickly came to realize I was not.”

  “I know what I saw.” Her blue eyes mocked him. “You love her. Anyone who saw you look at her knows it. You wear it openly on your face—as does she openly display her affection for you. It is a wonder her husband has not run you through.” She jerked her hand, trying in vain to get loose. “Or perhaps he simply loves her too much to kill you and thereby wound her.”

  He would have laughed, but knew it would only serve to drive her further from him. At least hers was a misperception he could rectify. “Monty is my closest friend,” he explained. “He knows I care for Sabrina, but he also knows I have no designs on her now or in the future.”

  “Ha!”

  Patience…“Though she is fond of me, Lady Montgomery does not, nor could she ever, love me the way a wife should love a husband,” he continued. “It is why I broke off our engagement.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “Now who is treading the boards and putting on a show?” she said with bile. “All of London knows she ran away wit
h Montgomery while still engaged to you. You broke no troth. She threw you over.”

  “That is what we let everyone believe, but it is not the truth. Would the three of us be friends now if it were? I’ll tell you what really happened if you swear never to reveal—”

  She kicked his shin. Hard.

  Cursing as pain shot up his leg, he again hauled her up against him, only this time he kept her facing him. His body reacted instantly, urgently. “Damn it, Eden! By all I hold sacred, if Montgomery were to die tomorrow I would not seek her hand!”

  Her struggles ceased with an abruptness that nearly made him drop her. Unwilling to be fooled again, he maintained firm hold. “I don’t envy my friend his wife.” He looked down into her furious eyes. “I envy what he has found in her—someone he can trust without any reservations.” Someone who loves him wholly…“That is what I want,” he finished, forcing it out past the tightness in his throat. “And you want it, as well. You cannot deny it. It is what everyone wants, whether or not they are willing to admit it. We are not meant to go through life alone.”

  “Do not presume to know what I want,” she gasped against him, renewing her feeble struggles. “You don’t know me.”

  “I know you well enough.” He grunted, holding her in such a way as to prevent her from brushing against a certain part of him that was beginning to ache with want.

  She shoved a fist against his chest. “Were that so, you would not have just humiliated me in front of your friends. Put me down!”

  He tightened his hold, determined to make her hear him. “I admit to having been an ass of elephantine proportions, and I truly regret having embarrassed you. Believe me when I tell you it was unintentional, and it will never happen again. I shall make certain everyone clearly comprehends who it is that holds my interest—you.”