Scandalous

by Jenna Petersen

  “It could be I was wrong.” He shifted his weight. “Perhaps you were right. Either way, it makes little difference.”

  But it did to her. And he knew that. Was that why he’d given Matthews his promise? For her? No, it couldn’t be. Still, the idea gave her a pleasure so powerful that her knees trembled.

  With shaking hands, she picked up the parcel and held it out. “You arranged for the fabric I wanted for the chairs in this room. Why?”

  His face hardened, but she could see he forced the expression. It was a barrier, but not to deter her, to protect himself. Why hadn’t she seen that before, during all the times he’d been cynical or distant?

  “What do the reasons matter? Do you like the material? The color? It can easily be replaced within a few days if you don’t.” He moved to turn away, but she caught his arm. The muscles flexed beneath her hand and his face tightened.

  “It matters to me,” she whispered. “The fabric came with this letter.” She held the note up beneath his nose. “You’ve increased my pin money and given me a stipend for renovations. I want to know why, Dominic.”

  Gently, he extracted himself from her grip and paced over to the fire. He looked trapped, like a caged beast wanting to be free of her inquiries. Yet she couldn’t let him be until she understood his motives.

  Not that she understood her own. A sane woman would have simply taken the money and left it at that. A woman who knew she was weak to her husband wouldn’t have pursued him, cornered him, pressed him for answers.

  But here she was, standing in the parlor, which felt like it was shrinking, waiting for him to explain.

  “Why did you give me these things, Dominic?” she asked, gentling her tone. “I thought you wanted nothing to do with this house.”

  “Do you want me to send them back?” he asked, turning from the mantel with a frown.

  “No. I’m just baffled by this change. By you.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? She’d been confused by Dominic Mallory from the first moment she saw him on the terrace and he admitted he didn’t believe in love. Since then, she’d expended an inordinate amount of energy trying to solve the riddle of the man before her. Even though it was counterproductive to care so very much.

  He shrugged. “I—I thought about what you told me when we first arrived here. If I do decide to sell Lansing Square, I want it to be in the best condition it can be. And if I decide to keep it—”

  She dropped the fabric in shock. “You’re thinking of keeping the estate?”

  The muscle in his jaw worked as he stared at her with a promise of passion in his eyes. But behind the desire she saw more there. Emotions she was too terrified to face in herself, let alone admit he might feel for her. Yet seeing naked need in his eyes softened her to him.

  “It’s so important to you, Kat. I’m beginning to find I like watching you make this house a home.” His voice was soft and gentler than she’d ever heard it before. Immediately, he shook that off and said gruffly, “It’s an investment.”

  Tears pricked her eyes as she came across the room to stand before him. He wanted to give her a gift. He wanted to give her a home, even though it was an obvious sacrifice for him to do so.

  “Thank you,” she said as she leaned up to press a kiss on his rough cheek.

  She gripped his arms to steady herself as warmth stirred low in her belly. His presence seemed to surround her even though this kiss was the most chaste they ever shared. But somehow it still meant something. Just as every touch meant something.

  With a finger, he tilted her face up to his and her knees turned to water. He was so close. From this distance there was no mistaking how much he wanted her. And she wanted him, in every part of her, including her heart.

  Their lips were mere inches apart, but instead of kissing her, Dominic said, “I want you to understand, Kat. I want to explain so much.”

  She gripped his arms tighter. What could he want to say at a time like this?

  “Then explain,” she murmured, even as she lifted her lips closer and prepared for the kiss she knew would send her over the edge of reason.

  Just as their lips touched, the door behind them opened. Matthews stepped inside. “I’m very sorry to interrupt.”

  Dominic jerked his head back as if he’d been awakened from a dream. His eyes were hazy, as cloudy as she wagered her own gaze was.

  “What is it?” he asked as he took a step back and ran a hand through his hair.

  “I tried to explain to the gentleman that you were not in residence,” Matthews said with an apologetic shake of his head. “But his footmen were already unloading the carriage. He shoved me aside and…”

  “Who?” Dominic said impatiently.

  Matthews let out a long, beleaguered sigh and a terrible sense of premonition filled Katherine. “Your brother and his wife are waiting for you in the foyer, sir.”

  Dominic staggered back and found himself leaning against the mantelpiece, the fire hot against his back. Colden was here? That was just typical. The very moment Dominic got up the nerve to reveal the truth to Katherine and his brother showed up to ruin it all.

  Frustration and anger coursed through him, but a deeper, underlying emotion was more troubling. For the first time since he left Harrison Mallory’s house so many years ago, a niggling of fear quickened his heartbeat.

  He took a sidelong glance at his wife. Katherine’s mouth was still open in shock, one hand covering her rounded lips. What if seeing Cole brought back those feelings she once felt for her former fiancé? For weeks Dominic had tried to make her forget, he knew in some ways he had. But a few stolen moments and all that could be for nothing. Then the truth would be meaningless.

  He drew in a long, calming breath and ground out, “I’m sure you did your best to restrain my brother and his wife, Matthews. Please, show them in.”

  The butler nodded. Dominic turned to Katherine. He had to say something before Cole came in, something to remind her of all the pleasure they’d shared. But no words came. She seemed just as lost as she stared at the parlor door, waiting for a man she’d once planned to marry. The one she’d chosen.

  Dominic’s stomach churned.

  “Lord and Lady Harborough,” Matthews announced as he held the door open wide for Dominic’s brother and sister-in-law to enter.

  Sarah immediately released Cole’s arm and scanned the room the moment she came in. Her cold, hard eyes skimmed over every stick of furniture, every line in the wall hangings. Then, before any welcomes had been said, she giggled. Dominic cringed at the harsh, cruel sound. How could he have ever found that harridan attractive in any way?

  Katherine stiffened at his side, and for a brief moment her jade eyes were icy. Then, to his surprise, she smiled and the face of a hostess replaced her anger.

  “Colden, Sarah, good afternoon,” she gushed, motioning to two chairs beside the fire. Despite that, no one in the room sat. “What a surprise to see you!”

  Cole shot a harsh look in Dominic’s direction. “I assumed since my sister was invited that Sarah and I would be welcome as well.”

  Dominic set his jaw. There were so many things he wanted to say to his sibling, but when he opened his mouth to speak them, Katherine placed a soft hand on his elbow. The gesture was calming, as well as silencing.

  “Of course you are. Dominic’s family is always welcome in our home. Did you bring your mother?” She smiled, but behind the friendly expression, Dominic thought he could see a glimmer of her own upset. It gave him hope.

  “No,” Sarah said, but didn’t even do Katherine the courtesy of looking her way. Instead, she slid a bit closer to Dominic. “How are you, Dominic? How do you find married life?”

  Katherine’s hand tightened on his arm, though her face never did so much as twitch. He gave his sister-in-law a cold smile. “Perfect.”

  His wife’s hand relaxed before she slowly let him go. She nodded to the group. “I’ll fetch Julia. I’m sure she will want to see you all.”

&nbs
p; Dominic jolted at the idea of being left alone with their uninvited guests. “Are you sure you don’t want me to find her?”

  “No.” She shook her head and the message in her eyes was clear. She wanted to get away from Sarah for a moment, not that he could blame her. Their unexpected arrival was unsettling to say the least. “I want to give some directions to the servants since we’ll have more guests tonight for supper.”

  “You mean you have servants here?” Sarah laughed. “It’s so rustic, I never would have guessed.”

  Again Katherine’s mouth thinned into a hard line, but she said nothing. Dominic swelled with pride at her utter control. He knew how much the estate meant to her, and how much Sarah’s digs about its condition must have hurt. That she was able to keep her tongue was a testament to his wife’s elegance and grace.

  With a nod, Katherine turned to go, but Cole stepped forward before she could safely escape. Dominic’s pride turned to worry at the determined look on his brother’s face. Cole seemed to be impressed by Katherine’s reaction, too. Uncontrollable jealousy sluiced through him.

  “Why don’t we all go together, Katherine?” he asked as he slowly advanced on her to offer her an arm. “I’m sure my wife and I would both like a tour of your estate.”

  Katherine hesitated for just a fraction of a second before she took the arm Cole offered. Dominic couldn’t read her reaction, pleased or otherwise. With a frown, he turned to offer his own arm to Sarah. Instead of taking it, she sank down on the settee with a flirtatious smile.

  “Oh, I think I’ll cry off on a tour just now. I’m so very tired from our journey.” Her smile widened. “I’m sure Dominic wouldn’t mind keeping me company while you two are gone. Would you?”

  “No, of course not,” Dominic murmured reluctantly.

  His gaze stole to Katherine. Her eyes had grown wide and all the emotions she’d been able to keep in check since their guests’ arrival were clear. Still, he couldn’t tell if she was happy for her time alone with Cole or jealous that Dominic would be spending a few unaccompanied moments with Sarah.

  “Very well,” Katherine said softly as she turned and let Cole lead her from the room.

  The instant the door closed behind them, Dominic sank into a chair with a muted groan. God, how he hated the fact that his wife had left on his brother’s arm.

  Not so very long ago he’d caught Katherine wishing on stars on the terrace. Just a few short weeks before she considered his brother perfection. She’d said as much the first night they met. If she were reminded of that perfection now…No, he couldn’t bear to think about it.

  “Would you like a drink, Sarah?” he asked in a hoarse voice. He certainly needed one.

  “Yes. I’m sure you remember how much I like brandy.” She gave him a feline smile as he rose to pour them each one. “You look better than I expected.”

  He stiffened as he turned to face her. Again he was struck by how much he disliked her. She wasn’t even beautiful to him anymore, especially when compared to Katherine’s warmth and light.

  “What did you expect?” he asked as he held out the drink.

  She rose to her feet and took a step closer. “Katherine seems very cold,” she whispered as she ran a long fingernail down his shirtfront. He stiffened under the touch, but not out of pleasure. “You must be bored. But now that I’m here, I promise I could help you remember what it’s like to have your blood boil.”

  His nostrils flared in distaste. “I don’t think so, Sarah. Not anymore.”

  “You wanted me once.” She slid the glasses from his hand and put them on the table behind him. “I came to your bed in London and you took just a moment too long to push me away. Even then, it was duty to your brother that kept you from taking me. But now I think you don’t feel anything toward your brother. So perhaps you’ll give me a taste of what I’ve been missing. If I ask very, very nicely.”

  With a smile of satisfaction, she leaned up to press her lips against his. Unlike years ago when the same scenario played out in his town house in London, Dominic felt nothing. Not even a stir of desire moved him. In fact, he found himself comparing her touch to his wife’s, and Sarah was lacking in each and every department.

  Grasping her wrists gently, he pushed her back. “No, Sarah. I am more than satisfied in my current situation. I don’t want you. If you stay here, it won’t be in my bed, and if you expect me to knock on your door, you will be sorely disappointed.”

  Her eyes widened, first in disbelief and then in pure, unadulterated rage. “You—you can’t be serious.”

  He nodded. “I am.”

  “B-but you wanted me,” she sputtered in disbelief.

  He cocked his head. How typical of Sarah to look to be the center of attention. To want to cause strife and rifts for her own twisted pleasure and need for control. Only now Dominic had no interest. Now he had Katherine.

  He started. Cole had wished to marry Katherine, too. Instead of the two men desiring Sarah, they both wanted Katherine. Not being the one in the middle had to bother Sarah. For once, she wasn’t the cause of emotional upheaval. She wasn’t the woman everyone craved.

  “I don’t deny I once desired you, Sarah. But we both knew it never could have come to anything, even then. Whatever my feelings toward Colden, I wouldn’t betray him with his own wife. And I’m with Katherine now. I certainly wouldn’t bring her that kind of pain, even if I did desire you.”

  Suddenly, understanding flashed across her face. “You love the little twit, don’t you?” she said with a malicious hiss.

  Dominic jolted at the accusation, but made no attempt to refute it.

  Her eyes narrowed. “I can make her hate you. I can make sure she runs screaming as far away from you as is humanly possible.”

  Fury filled him at the thought of Sarah or anyone else ruining his life with his wife. Driven by irrational jealousy or not, he wouldn’t allow her to damage his already shaky union. He caught his sister-in-law’s shoulders and gave her a small shake.

  “Don’t you threaten me, Sarah. If I ever catch you near my wife whispering your vicious lies and innuendos into her ear, I won’t be responsible for what I do. Don’t push me.” His voice was deceptively low, but he could tell by the flash of fear in her eyes that she understood him perfectly.

  She shook out of his grip with a cry, then made a show of straightening her hair and gown. When she looked at him again, it was with eyes filled with smug hatred.

  “No, I won’t have to destroy your marriage, Dominic. If you’re fool enough to love her, you’ll ruin yourself in the end, bastard that you are. Cole and I can just sit back and watch you destroy everything on your own.”

  With that, she spun on her heel and stomped from the room in the direction in which Cole and Katherine had gone.

  Chapter 14

  W hen Katherine was forced to marry Dominic, she assumed she would make comparisons between the two brothers. It was only natural to do so. What she hadn’t anticipated was that Cole would come out the loser so consistently and completely.

  As she nodded at something he said, she considered all the things that had once drawn her to Cole. Safety had been a main one. Just being at his side had once made her feel content and at ease.

  Now as they strolled through the hallways of Lansing Square, the touch of Cole’s hand on her arm brought her no peace. In fact, she resented it. Just as she resented his presence in general.

  Dominic was so close to sharing a secret with her. Better yet, he’d been ready to kiss her, claim her as he hadn’t for what felt like forever. She hadn’t ever wanted anything more, but Colden’s intrusion put a swift end to that.

  She shot a glance at her former fiancé. They had been friends once, but no easy companionship existed between them anymore. Each time he said something in subtle deprecation of Dominic, she liked Cole less.

  Was he still talking?

  “And this is Dominic’s office,” she said as she stifled a yawn. Instead of looking in and passing by as
he had during the rest of her tour, Cole entered his brother’s private room and peered around with a malicious smile.

  When he turned back to her, the ugliness was gone, leaving her to wonder if she only imagined it. Perhaps she was influenced by Dominic’s hatred for his brother. Even if she didn’t feel anything toward Cole, that didn’t mean she had to dislike him. She and Cole simply had to redefine their relationship. Perhaps, over time, she could even be a bridge between the two brothers and help them forge a stronger bond.

  Cole released her arm, and she found him staring at her. She turned away from his close scrutiny. Without warning, it was as if she were walking a tightrope between being polite and drawing boundaries.

  “Are you ever sorry, Katherine?” he asked softly as he gave the door behind them a gentle push.

  Her eyes darted to the tiny crack that now separated them from the hallway. It was entirely inappropriate to be alone with a man who wasn’t her husband. Especially one who was looking at her in that pointed manner. But it had to be her imagination. Cole never showed her inordinate physical affection when they were engaged. Why would he do so now?

  “S-sorry?” she repeated as she swallowed hard and backed away. “Sorry about what?”

  His smile turned condescending. “That we couldn’t wed as we planned, of course.” He moved closer, invading her personal space enough that she knew he did so purposefully.

  “Things happened,” she said as she tried to skirt away from him. “It all worked out for the best in the end, I suppose.”

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured as he reached out to cup her face. “We could have been so good together.”

  And then he was dipping his head toward her. Katherine let out a gasp and pushed him away as hard as she could. He was going to kiss her! Another man’s wife. His brother’s wife!

  Her hands shook as she yanked the door open to keep them from being alone. “Colden, our marriage would have been one of friendship, not passion. You seem to have forgotten that, though I don’t understand why!”