Sweetest Little Sin

Home > Other > Sweetest Little Sin > Page 11
Sweetest Little Sin Page 11

by Christine Wells


  Ignoring his incredulous snort, she went on, “This is my last chance for a family and a home of my own, Jardine. You’re a man; you don’t know what it’s like to live as I’ve done for the past eight years.”

  “How did you and Radleigh meet? Who introduced you?”

  Louisa hesitated. Did he suspect Faulkner’s involvement? “I don’t recall. Why do you ask?”

  Pacing the bright green turf, he ignored her question, his gaze becoming distant as he pursued his own line of thought. “There must be a connection,” he muttered. “But who . . . ?”

  “I don’t know what you’re trying to get at.”

  “Let’s just say I don’t believe in coincidence.”

  “Coincidence?” She shrugged and began to turn away.

  “Jardine, if you’re going to turn cryptic, I’m afraid I can’t—”

  He gripped her wrist and drew her back to face him. “There are things going on at this house that you don’t understand.”

  She arched her brows. “Really? Well, perhaps you’d care to enlighten me.”

  She could hear Jardine’s teeth grind at her impertinence. “You slipped out to meet Radleigh last night, didn’t you?” She opened her mouth to reply, but he cut through her denial. “Don’t lie to me. I saw you.”

  Much as it rankled, she accepted his reading of her nighttime exploration. “And what if I did?” she said breathlessly, lifting her chin. “What business is it of yours?”

  His face darkened with fury. “Did you let him touch you?”

  At his expression, her courage dipped. All very well to poke a stick at a sleeping tiger, but she didn’t want him murdering Radleigh in a jealous rage.

  That he was jealous made no sense. Yet there could be no other explanation for his behavior.

  She swallowed hard before answering. “Radleigh’s a gentleman. He wouldn’t press me to physical relations before we are married.”

  The derisive bark of laughter Jardine gave told her his opinion of her naïveté.

  Jardine had always been deluded into thinking every man who looked at her twice must want to bed her. The idea used to tickle her sense of the ridiculous. Now, it seemed an attitude fraught with danger.

  His voice turned silky. “If I catch you wandering the corridors at night again, I’ll show you exactly what can happen to a lone female who’s as trusting as you.”

  A thrill burned a path down her spine. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  But she wanted him to dare, didn’t she? That’s how pathetic she was. She wanted him, even if he didn’t care the snap of his fingers for her.

  Jardine dashed a hand through his hair. “You need to leave this place, before you get yourself into trouble.”

  “Well, I’m not going,” said Louisa, surprised to find that in that moment, she meant it. “How do you expect me to bow to your wishes when you won’t even tell me why? What’s all this about, Jardine?”

  He seemed to struggle with himself. “For God’s sake, can’t you just trust me?”

  For a full, incredulous minute, she couldn’t speak.

  Something flared in his dark eyes as knowledge settled over his face. His intent gaze faltered, flickered away.

  “Trust?” she whispered. “Trust you?”

  He took a ragged breath, gave a quick shake of his head. In a voice so subdued she barely heard it, he said, “Of course not. Why should you?”

  Once, she would have trusted him with her life, her dreams, her future. Was that man still inside him, or had he become dead to all finer feeling? Despite the evidence of his recent conduct, she couldn’t believe it.

  Instinctively, she reached out to him, but he’d turned away from her and the moment was lost.

  Fortunate that he hadn’t registered that moment of weakness. If he had, he’d exploit it to the full.

  Jardine’s head jerked up, as if startled at a sound. She heard it a second later, a horse’s hooves crunching on the bridle path, a murmured “Whoa there.”

  “Someone’s coming.” Louisa turned to scan the woods, trying to pinpoint where the noise originated, her brain already formulating an explanation for her presence here, alone, with a man who was supposedly a bare acquaintance.

  “Jar—” She turned back, but he was gone.

  Eleven

  “THERE you are, my dear.” Radleigh dismounted and tipped his hat to her. “Ah, admiring the heathen idolatry, I see.”

  He took her arm in that possessive way he had, and she struggled not to pull from his hold. He handed her up the stone steps that led to the shrine she’d been about to examine more closely when Jardine had arrived.

  The goddess was even more impressive up close. “A fearsome creature,” Louisa murmured.

  “Yes, it’s the Hindu goddess Kali.” He gave a faint smile. “You, being a good Christian lady, are probably shocked.”

  She tilted her head. “Not at all. The carving is beautiful.” She reached out and trailed her fingertips along its ridges and curves.

  “Isn’t it?” Pleasure rang in Radleigh’s voice. “Her purpose in this guise is to fight evil and fear. There’s a legend about her. Would you like to hear it?”

  With a glance at him, Louisa nodded.

  “Kali was called forth to do battle with a demon that was terrorizing humans. The demon had the special power that for every drop of blood he spilled, another demon was made. The goddess saved the people by drinking the demon’s blood and swallowing the spawned demons whole. She was so ecstatic with the taste of blood that she danced on the battlefield over the bodies of the slain.”

  “Charming!” Louisa said dryly.

  A slight smile acknowledged her sally. “To calm her down, her consort, Shiva, was sent in the form of a crying baby. Kali finally quieted and put the infant to her breast.”

  Louisa gazed at this powerful warrior goddess. “She looks evil, but she’s not, is she? I suppose one must be fierce, ruthless to fight true evil.”

  Perhaps, one must even sacrifice one’s own principles. Was that what Jardine had done in his career?

  There are things going on at this house that you don’t understand.

  She understood more than Jardine knew, but not as much as she wanted. Who was Radleigh beneath all that surface polish?

  There was little room to move on the platform where they stood. She became acutely aware of how alone and intimate they were, in this secluded place.

  Moreover, as her fiancé, Radleigh might expect her to show some affection toward him. She repressed a shudder. Not even for King and country could she feign pleasure at Radleigh’s touch.

  Though he didn’t touch her, she felt the presence of his body all down her back, his hot breath stir the tendrils at her ear. She wanted to step away, but that would mean moving off the small ledge that gave the best vantage from which to view the statue. Then, it would be obvious she wanted to distance herself from him. Odd behavior in a future wife.

  But she had told him she was cold, hadn’t she? Vignettes of her interactions with Jardine flashed through her mind. She wished she could be cold when the occasion clearly demanded it. She’d never been able to resist Jardine.

  Radleigh’s hand cupped her elbow, making her start and turn her head. “Shall we go? I’ll show you some of the prettier rides.”

  His thick mouth quivered. He’d made a double entendre that he hadn’t expected her to understand. Louisa frowned a little and walked with him, doing her best not to jerk free of his hold. “No, thank you. I am a little fatigued and I’d like to return to the house.”

  At the bottom of the stairs, he did not release her.

  Louisa repressed the impulse to jerk free. Did he mean to kiss her now?

  Radleigh observed her reaction with the expectant, slightly malicious gaze of a cat waiting for its prey to recover from a swipe of its paw so it could bat the poor thing again.

  “My dear,” Radleigh’s voice deepened, as if with emotion. “Much as I respect the finer feelings that lead you to wait
, I’m impatient to have you as my wife. When can we set a date to marry?”

  “Oh.” Louisa hoped her face didn’t betray the revulsion that clutched at her belly at the mere thought of being tied to Radleigh for the rest of her days.

  “Indeed, I look forward to it, too, Mr. Radleigh, but—”

  He held up a hand. “Please, not this formal ‘Mr. Radleigh. ’ Call me Duncan.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Well, Duncan . . . I am impatient, also, but my mother would be inconsolable to miss my wedding. She will not be back from her own bride tour for two months, at least. I hate to, ah, prolong your suffering, but we must wait until she returns so she can celebrate the, er, happy day with us.”

  She forced her lips to smile. “I’m sure you understand.”

  That look of chagrin on his face couldn’t possibly be from any personal yearning he felt for her, could it? He stepped closer, air shooting from his nostrils like a blown horse. Despite her resolve to appear accepting of any advances he might make, she shrank back.

  Radleigh’s entire aspect changed. His expression lightened and his body relaxed. “Are you afraid, my little dove?” He chuckled, prepared to be indulgent. “I won’t hurt you.”

  She lifted her chin. “Not at all, but it would be more fitting to save that sort of thing for after we’re married, don’t you agree?”

  She’d explained to him that she didn’t seek intimacy. She hoped he’d take her reluctance as maidenly modesty rather than the fear and revulsion it was.

  He stared at her for some time, as if watching for an outward sign that would permit him to disregard her verbal denial. She tried not to hold her breath. Instinctively, she knew she must not show him fear.

  All at once, her vulnerability struck home. They were alone, more than a mile from the house. He could throw her down and rape her, and no one would be the wiser.

  And why she should think that way, she couldn’t fathom. He unsettled her greatly.

  She made herself break the connection of their gazes and walk over to her horse. The mare snorted and pawed the ground, still restless.

  She stroked the mare’s flank. Sorry, old girl, no gallop for you today.

  “Let me help you.”

  His voice startled her so much that she jumped. She hadn’t heard him approach so close.

  She wanted to refuse but that would sound churlish. “Thank you, sir.” She lifted her foot for him to give her a boost up, but he disconcerted her further by gripping her waist and lifting her clear off the ground.

  The sensation of utter helplessness made her give a choke of distress. Her eyes met his, and she couldn’t hide her momentary panic. His smile broadening, he deposited her carefully in the saddle as if she weighed no more than a little girl.

  She fussed with her skirts in an effort to regain composure. The only means she had of keeping him at bay was to affect an aristocratic hauteur. “Thank you.” She gave him the kind of dismissive nod that she’d give a groom. “I’ll see you back at the house.”

  In an ironic gesture of farewell, Radleigh touched his hat, hard eyes glittering beneath its brim.

  AFTER a light nuncheon, Louisa escaped for another exploratory foray. The day was brisk with breeze and sunshine. The ribbons of her chip straw hat fluttered and her walking gown flirted around her kid half boots as she made her way down the terrace steps.

  This time, she knew which direction to take, having carefully and, she hoped, subtly elicited the information from Beth.

  Mercy, but the house party would be even more intolerable if Beth sought to commandeer every minute of her guests’ time. A hostess made available any number of activities for her guests’ enjoyment, then left them to their own devices. It was the height of gaucheness to schedule and choreograph their movements as if it were a military exercise.

  The girl would soon be worn to the bone, at this rate, or else her guests would soon recall sudden pressing engagements elsewhere.

  A pity that companion of hers didn’t drop a word in her ear, but perhaps bumptious Beth wouldn’t have listened anyway.

  Cool, water-spritzed air met Louisa as she passed a fountain surrounded by lily pads in an interesting geometrical design. The rush of water was such a soothing sound, she could have stopped there, but she had a mission to accomplish.

  “Halloo there!” A voice rose above the cascade of water. Oh no. Louisa’s shoulders tensed. She stopped and turned around.

  Beth hurried toward her, waving her handkerchief madly and puffing a little. “Oh! I’m so glad I caught up with you, Lady Louisa.” Without asking permission, she linked arms with Louisa and walked with her in the direction Louisa had been heading.

  No hope for it, then. Louisa plastered a smile on her face. “Beth! How kind of you to join me.”

  She heartily wished she could extract herself, but she couldn’t think how to manage it without giving offense. Repressing a sigh, Louisa slowed her steps to match Beth’s.

  “I saw you walking all alone and thought you might need company.”

  Beth smiled engagingly up at her. She was a full head shorter, which made Louisa feel like a gangling giraffe.

  Oh dear. Not more confidences about Jardine. She couldn’t bear it.

  “What a pretty day,” she said quickly, glancing about her as if only noticing the weather for the first time. “The men took their guns out this morning, I believe.”

  Louisa would have gone with them, if not for the need to find this temple. At least on the moor she’d have been free of her garrulous hostess.

  Beth’s dawdling pace was getting on her nerves. “I have an ambition to see if I can walk to the top of that rise over there.”

  She couldn’t afford to take too much interest in the temple while Beth accompanied her, but she could at least judge how far it was from the house and any escape routes in case of trouble.

  Always look for the exit, Harriet had told her. Map out in your mind how you’d get away.

  Amazing how many small pieces of wisdom Harriet had imparted over the course of their time together. Had she guessed this situation might come to pass?

  Beth was rambling on about meeting Louisa’s family. Thankfully, she excelled at making a lot of suppositions that required no response from Louisa. Thank heaven Louisa would be at liberty within the next day or so, if she chose. She’d never have to meet Beth again.

  Loathsome to have to play the jilt, of course, even to such a character as Radleigh. He’d pinned his hopes of advancement on this marriage. She felt a twinge of remorse, but suppressed it. If Radleigh was caught committing treason, a broken engagement would be the least of his worries.

  Beth rattled on. “I suppose your people are very grand. I should be quite terrified to meet them.”

  Louisa smiled and shook her head. “Oh, not at all. Quite the contrary. My father is no longer with us, but my mother is like a pretty butterfly, even tempered and sweet. She recently remarried, you know, and my new stepfather is all that is amiable.”

  Louisa stopped, searching inwardly for that stab of regret and envy that had been with her throughout her mother’s courtship.

  Nothing.

  Strange.

  “What about your brother, the duke?” Beth asked, as they wound through a shady wooded stretch.

  “My brother never expected to come into the title, so he was not bred to the role. He is the best of men. Straight to the point. No nonsense or flummery about him, no puffed-up conceit. He is, perhaps, the least likely duke you might come across, but also the very best kind.”

  “Oh.” Beth seemed a little disappointed not to hear tales of pomp and ceremony. “And his wife?”

  “Ah, Kate is pure delight and she leads him a merry dance, which is wonderful to see.” Louisa grinned, thinking of her friend. “There is nothing better than a strong man felled by love, is there?”

  And wouldn’t Kate have relished the adventure into which Louisa had stumbled? There’d be no question in Kate’s mind about whether to sta
y or go. She’d pursue this mystery and fight anyone who tried to stop her.

  If only Kate were here . . . But no, much as she loved her sister-in-law, she didn’t want Kate’s or anyone else’s help.

  Suddenly, Louisa felt alone as she’d never felt before.

  No, not alone. Independent.

  As they rounded a bend, the wood fell away and the infamous temple came into view.

  Louisa started toward it, barely conscious of shaking off Beth’s hold.

  “Oh, pray, Lady Louisa. Do not go up there.” Beth panted as she struggled to keep up, muttering, “Oh, how unfortunate!”

  “Fascinating!” Louisa called back, her heart suddenly light. “What do you call it?”

  “Oh no. Oh dear! This is most indelicate. Indeed, I don’t call it anything. It is not a subject that one should mention in polite company.”

  And yet, Beth had mentioned it obliquely, hadn’t she? Louisa couldn’t help teasing a little.

  “Well, let us pretend we are not polite and satisfy our curiosity, shall we? The carvings look marvelous at this distance. Goodness, it’s like one of those dripping castles one made as a child out of wet sand.”

  As they neared the temple, she saw the cause of Beth’s consternation.

  Louisa’s lips trembled in shocked enjoyment. Oh, what she’d give to have shown this temple to prudish Kate!

  Tier upon tier of figures in all kinds of improbable nakedness filled her vision. She glanced at Beth, who was blushing furiously and averting her own gaze.

  “Oh, don’t be such a ninny,” said Louisa, though heat had risen to her own cheeks, she was sure. “Come on.”

  She went inside, where it was degrees cooler and the decoration was slightly less detailed but even more outrageously wicked than outside.

  The people depicting every kind of sexual act were obviously Indian, and remarkably flexible, if their antics were any indication. The women’s bodies were rounded and lush, making Louisa acutely aware of her own lack of endowments.

 

‹ Prev