Pride and Fire

by JoMarie DeGioia

  Paul was stunned when Michelle calmly left their bedroom. He’d fully expected her to rage at him, to tell him in no uncertain terms his decision displeased her. He rubbed his hands over his face, not quite sure what had happened. What was she about? He shook his head to clear it and rose. She seemed to finally accept his decision about the dowry, so he could put that matter aside. Perhaps she finally realized it was his decision to make. He went into the dressing room to ready himself.

  When he joined her in the breakfast room he wore a smile for her, quite pleased about her apparent turnabout regarding her dowry. “Good morning, wife.”

  Michelle looked up, those golden eyes watching him as he went to the sideboard and served himself a hearty breakfast. He had barely set upon his meal when Starks appeared in the doorway.

  “Excuse me, My Lord,” he said.

  Michelle stiffened in her chair, her eyes going to the note the butler handed to Paul. Paul regarded the note with curiosity, along with Michelle’s marked interest in it.

  “It’s from Chester,” Paul said. He looked back at Starks. “Is the messenger still here?”

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  “Tell the man I’ll go to Lord Chester’s directly.”

  Starks bowed and left the room.

  “What does Lord Chester want, Paul?” Michelle asked.

  He chose his words carefully. “It’s regarding our errand of the other day, love.”

  Starks returned to the breakfast room a few minutes later.

  “My Lady,” he said, handing her a note.

  She accepted the missive and opened it, reading to herself.

  Paul watched her closely. “Who is it from, Michelle?”

  She folded the note and tucked it under her plate. “My mother. She’d like me to stop by for a visit today.”

  Paul nodded, setting his napkin beside his plate. He rose from his chair. “Well, I’m off. Give your mother my regards.”

  She smiled up at him and nodded. He left her there, his mind focused on his meeting with Chester.

  Michelle finished her tea and read over the missive once more. It was from her father’s solicitor, confirming her appointment that morning. She folded the note, running her finger over the crease. All she had to do now was wait for a response from her other note.

  With Paul busy with Lord Chester today, no doubt on a matter he wouldn’t discuss with her, she could be about her own business. She wouldn’t feel guilty. Her husband gave her no choice, did he?

  A scant twenty minutes later, Michelle had the anticipated second response clutched in her hands and was on her way to her mother’s house. At least that part of what she’d told Paul was the truth. Lying to him had her stomach in knots. She reread the note.

  It was from her cousin Reggie, the scoundrel. God help her, she’d had no choice but to go to him for help. Reggie and his father employed the same solicitor as her father’s estate. Surely he could find a way around Paul’s reluctance to take her dowry. Oh but it galled her to turn to her detestable cousin, especially after the lecherous looks he’d given her the last few times she’d been in his company. But it couldn’t be helped.

  When the carriage pulled up to her mother’s house, Michelle shoved Reggie’s note into her reticule and alighted.

  “Michelle!” her mother said. “What brings you today?”

  “Paul was busy, so I thought we could visit for a while.”

  Her mother hooked her arm through Michelle’s and led her into the parlor. “Let us ring for tea, dear.”

  After but a few minutes spent in pleasant chatter, the butler stood in the doorway. “Reginald Thomas, My Lady.”

  Michelle’s stomach clenched but she held her expression. In for a penny …

  “This is a surprise, isn’t it?” she said to her mother.

  “Oh, such unexpected company for one lady!” Lady Helen exclaimed happily. “Please show him in.”

  Reggie breezed into the room. He wore an outfit of less vibrant colors than when Michelle had seen him last, but he still looked the dandy. He bowed graciously to Lady Helen and turned to regard Michelle closely.

  “Dear cousin,” he said smoothly.

  She stifled a shiver of disgust as his dark eyes slid over her.

  “May I say you look simply ravishing this day,” he went on. “That dress is lovely on you.”

  Michelle swallowed a retort. Surely he pictured her wearing nothing at all.

  “What brings you by, Reggie?” Lady Helen asked.

  Reggie turned from Michelle to smile at his aunt. “It’s such a glorious morning, dear Aunt, I thought you’d like to take a ride with me.”

  “Oh, no.” The woman blushed at his attentions. “You can’t mean to spend the day with your old aunt when Michelle is without engagement.”

  Reggie smiled slyly at Michelle. She realized his plan immediately and was grudgingly impressed.

  “I daresay your idea is very tempting, dear Aunt,” Reggie said. “Would you care to go for a ride this morning, cousin?”

  Michelle paused a beat. “Why yes, Reggie. A ride sounds lovely.”

  The two took their leave shortly thereafter, settling themselves in Reggie’s carriage. Michelle brushed her hands absently over her skirt. When she happened a glance in Reggie’s direction, she found his gaze sliding over her as before.

  “You look quite beautiful, Michelle. Delicious, I would say.”

  She arched a brow at him. “Let’s get to the matter at hand, Reggie.”

  He settled back against the cushioned seat across from her. “As you wish, cousin.”

  “Have you given any thought to what you’ll tell the solicitor?”

  “Of course,” he said simply. “I thought we’d make a gift to you and your … husband.”

  “A gift,” Michelle mused aloud. “What sort of gift?”

  “If we transfer your dowry into my father’s accounts,” he went on, “we can have a gift settled on you from him.”

  She thought for a moment. “It won’t be of the entire amount, will it?”

  “Of course not. That would arouse the viscount’s suspicions, no? We’ll make a gift of the balance in the future.”

  Michelle swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. “But will Paul find out where the money came from?”

  Her cousin’s lips curled. “Dear cousin. Do you think I’d let your husband in on our little secret?”

  Michelle studied him closely, noting his slight stature, his weak complexion. “No. If Paul found out, he’d likely kill you.”

  Reggie straightened his slight shoulders. “Yes, well… Be that as it may, we must discuss my reward in this endeavor.”

  “Your reward?” she asked with trepidation.

  Reggie’s gaze was hot, lustful. Michelle widened the distance between them, pulling tightly against the seat.

  “I’m quite certain, cousin,” Reggie began, “that you can think of something in your possession of value to me.”

  Michelle bristled at his proposition, anger warring with disgust in her mind. Before she could open her mouth to berate him, the carriage rocked to a stop.

  Reggie grinned. “Here we are, love.”

  They alighted the carriage and entered the solicitor’s office. A reward? What could Reggie mean?

  Chapter 20

  Paul paced the width of Chester’s study. He came to a stop and faced his friend. “Gambling?”

  Chester simply nodded.

  “What am I going to do?” Paul raked his fingers through his hair. “What will happen to my sisters?”

  “Perhaps he put aside their dowries.”

  “He better have,” Paul said. “I sure as hell can’t worry about it.”

  They were both quiet for a moment.

  “Leed,” Chester began, “perhaps you should rethink the matter of Michelle’s dowry.”

  “No.” He settled himself in the chair across from Chester, leaned his head back and sighed. “Tell me once more what you and Roberts discovered.�
��

  “Tailing your father proved easy, Leed. Either Roberts or myself would escort the twins to the evening’s festivities, leaving the other to watch the house. Within the half-hour your father would emerge, dressed impeccably.”

  “And that’s why Roberts thought a woman was involved?”

  Chester nodded. “Your father headed directly to White’s. Without fail.”

  Paul thought for a moment. “Well, White’s is one of the most popular clubs in town.”

  “Caters to titled gentlemen, Leed. Both the casual gambler and those with plenty of blunt.”

  “At least he stays away from the waterfront,” Paul allowed.

  “As yet.”

  Imagining his father consorting with the element in the waterfront gaming houses, he slowly shook his head.

  “This won’t go that far.”

  * * * *

  Reggie’s assurances proved true, to Michelle’s relief. The solicitor was put out at first, but Reggie convinced the man to fulfill their request. After assuring Michelle the money, in the amount of twenty thousand pounds, would be sent directly to Paul’s solicitor the man showed them out.

  “I’m glad to be of service to you, Lady Leed,” the man said with a bow. He spared Reggie a brief glance, but Michelle read the distaste in his bespectacled eyes. He seemed as eager to be rid of Reggie’s company as Michelle was. “Thomas,” he said curtly.

  “I thank you, sir,” Michelle said.

  For propriety’s sake, she permitted Reggie to assist her into the carriage. She paid little attention to him as the carriage pulled away from the curb, however. Had she made a horrible mistake? Was she putting everything she and Paul had in jeopardy? She turned to find Reggie regarding her closely.

  “We need to discuss payment, Michelle,” Reggie said.

  She bristled. “Reggie, I don’t know what it is you want, but—”

  Words left her as he joined her on the cushioned seat.

  “Oh, you know precisely what I want,” he said.

  He sat very close to her, pinning her against the side of the carriage. She found her voice.

  “You cannot possibly think that you and I…” she began. “That we…”

  Reggie leaned very close and squeezed her knee. “It’s true I wouldn’t mind a taste of what had the viscount so, um… preoccupied the other evening.”

  “What?” she asked in a whisper.

  Reggie trailed his finger down her neck, sending a chill through her. “I saw the two of you leave the bash in a hurry. Your husband all but dragged you from the room.”

  She stiffened. “You know nothing of our, our…”

  “I can hazard a guess, love.”

  He placed his hand against the swell of her breast.

  “Take your hand off me this instant!”

  He ignored her request, pressing his fingers into her flesh. “Did he take you in the carriage, Michelle? I would have.”

  Her gasp was his answer. Before she could think to react, he grabbed her and pressed his mouth to hers. She recoiled as his tongue probed her mouth. Pulling back, she slapped him soundly across the face.

  “Don’t touch me ever again,” she said.

  “You’ll regret that, cousin.” He rubbed his cheek, his eyes narrowed. “However, you are in possession of something even more enticing than your considerable charms.”

  She put as much distance as she could between them on the narrow cushioned seat. “What, pray?”

  His expression sobered and she felt a chill which had nothing to do with his assault moments earlier.

  “Information, love.” He leaned closer. “Your husband has some very important clients, that’s true.”

  “I don’t know what—”

  Reggie held up one slender hand. “Pray, do not think to tell me you haven’t yet discovered his work?”

  She couldn’t say anything as she tried to swallow despite the thickness in her throat.

  “Surely you’re too clever by half to be ignorant of the viscount’s activities?” He pursed his lips. “No answer for that, love? Well, I need information, cousin. On a few key speeches which my, um, friends are making in Parliament.”

  She found her voice. “But how could that help you?”

  Reggie gave her a slimy grin. “These friends of mine will pay for such information. For details. For proposed arguments to causes they plan to champion.”

  She sat up. “Reggie, you cannot expect me to—”

  He reached out to grab her shoulders as the carriage halted in front of Lady Helen’s residence. “You will.” He brought his lips to her ear. “I don’t know when I’ll need your help, Michelle. But prepare yourself for the call.” He stood and opened the door for her. “This isn’t over. I’ll have my payment. Depend on it.”

  Without another word between them, she let him escort her into her mother’s house.

  Michelle entered her mother’s parlor, her cousin a bit too close by her side. Her eyes widened with surprise, she looked from Paul to Reggie and back again.

  “Paul!” she said. “What are you doing here?”

  Paul came to stand in front of Michelle. “Chester and I finished our business earlier than we’d anticipated. I thought I’d escort my wife home.”

  Michelle turned her gaze to the floor.

  Paul gently grasped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “Aren’t you happy to see me, Michelle?” he teased.

  She returned his smile. He kissed her lightly and turned, taking her hand in his. His gaze settled on Reggie then. The man appeared to be hiding a grin.

  “Thomas,” Paul said with a curt nod.

  Reggie’s expression smoothed. “Leed. How are you this day?”

  “Very well,” Paul said. He dragged his gaze from the silly fop and faced his wife. “Did you have a pleasant ride, love?”

  Michelle gave a tiny nod in answer.

  “Michelle,” Lady Helen began. “Surely you and your husband will stay for luncheon?”

  Michelle looked to Paul for an answer and he turned to Lady Helen.

  “We would enjoy that, madam,” Paul said.

  Lady Helen turned to Reggie and placed her hand on his arm. “Reggie, dear, will you join us?”

  Michelle stiffened at her mother’s suggestion. As Paul watched, Reggie caught the motion and smiled at her discomfort.

  “I would love to, dear Aunt,” Reggie said. “But I’m afraid there are some pressing matters that need my attention.”

  Paul felt Michelle’s hand tremble in his. What the devil was going on?

  His gaze settled on Reggie’s smirking face once more. “Good day, then.”

  Reggie lost his smile, reddening under Paul’s glare. With a bow, he turned to take his leave. He paused in front of Michelle, placing his hand on her arm. “I much enjoyed our ride, cousin. We must do it again. And soon.”

  Michelle said nothing.

  Reggie chuckled softly. He glanced at Lady Helen and Paul. “I trust I will see all of you at Thomasham.”

  “Certainly, Reggie,” Lady Helen said. “We’ll have a splendid time, I daresay.”

  Reggie bowed again and strode to the front door. The moment she heard the lock click into place, Michelle whirled to face her mother.

  “Mother, pray tell me you didn’t invite Reggie to Thomasham?”

  Her mother waved her hand in the air. “Of course I did, Michelle. He is family, you know.”

  Michelle nodded slowly, her hands in fists. Paul watched the entire exchange, his senses sharpened. When Lady Helen left them to advise the cook of added guests, Paul turned to Michelle. “Michelle, is something troubling you?”

  “W-what?” she stammered. “Oh, no.”

  She stood on tiptoe and placed her lips on his. He returned the embrace, but when he lifted his mouth from hers he pressed her for an answer.

  “Michelle,” he began. “I know you.”

  Michelle began to say something but Lady Helen rejoined them before she could do more than open her
mouth.

  After lunch Paul and Michelle took their leave, and he watched her on the ride home. She perched on the seat across from him, her hands clenched in her lap. Apparently she was unable or unwilling to break the silence.

  “I must say, Michelle, when your mother told me you went for a ride with your cousin, I was astonished.”

  Michelle cleared her throat. “It was at my mother’s insistence, I assure you.”

  “And where did the two of you go?”

  “Where?” She looked out the window. “Nowhere in particular.”

  Her nervousness was evident as she brushed her hands over her skirt.

  “Michelle, did something happen on your ride you’re not telling me?”

  His wife wore her emotions clearly on her beautiful face, and he was damned if she didn’t look guilty. But no. Michelle wouldn’t betray him, least of all with Reginald Thomas. But something happened on their afternoon jaunt.

  “Did something happen, Michelle?”

  Michelle knew she had to face him. She even managed a small smile. “No, Paul. Nothing.”

  If Paul thought her smile looked strained, he said nothing of it. When they arrived at the townhouse, Paul led her into the parlor.

  “I have work to do this afternoon, wife.”

  “O-oh. I…I hoped we could talk for a while.”

  His blue eyes stared unblinking at her. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Lord, she wanted to tell him all of it, of her going behind his back and of meddling into his affairs. The memory of their awful argument a few weeks past was still fresh in her mind. And the discoveries she’d made last night, the speeches, the ledgers… As much as she hated his lying to her all these weeks, she now found herself in the position of lying to him.

  She looked away, unable to meet his piercing gaze. She couldn’t tell him of Reggie’s actions in the carriage. No doubt he’d be furious and demand to know why her cousin had dared to touch her. Information, his speeches… And she couldn’t tell him about the money. She simply couldn’t.

  “I missed you today,” she said at last.

  He sat beside her on the settee. “Perhaps we’ll have tea here in the parlor later?”

  She knew to what he was referring, and blushed warmly. He finally smiled and kissed her. He stood then and strode from the room.