A Lady's Virture

by A. S. Fenichel

  Shocked by her own wantonness, she pressed her palm against his chest.

  He released her immediately. “I don’t know what came over me. If I have offended you, Sylvie, I apologize. Though I refuse to say I am sorry for the kiss.”

  “No. It was…”

  Running his knuckle down the side of her jaw, he smiled. “It was, indeed.”

  If she didn’t do something, he would kiss her again, and Lord only knew if she had the will to stop him. Reluctantly, she stepped back. “I think it’s best if we keep our relationship business and perhaps friendship, Tony. What just happened was lovely, but it cannot happen again. You hired me because you do not wish to marry, and I’m no one’s mistress, so no good can come from allowing our desire to rule the day.”

  He glowered at his feet for a long moment, and his jaw ticked several times. When he looked up, his expression was calm and unreadable. Stepping back, he said, “You’re right, of course. We are friends. Just look at what you’ve already done for my home. I may have hired you, but I see you care that I am happy with the home you create for me. I shall cherish what you have done and will do. Ask your favor, Sylvie.”

  Unable to decipher the tone or expression beyond his words, she had to take him at face value. It would be best if she could forget the way his lips felt, but their touch still burned into her. However, if he could forget, then so could she. She pulled her shoulders back and swallowed down any sentiment. “Serena has two suitors, and Mother is pushing one over the other without consulting her. She would like to get to know Lord Stansfield better. You said he’s a good man. May I invite him to your dinner party?”

  He chuckled. “I thought you would ask something much more taxing. Invite who you wish. Rutledge Haversham is a friend. I would be glad to have him for dinner, and if he likes Serena, all the better.”

  “It is impertinent of me to ask.” For some reason she needed to justify her hesitation.

  His smile was a kind of delightful torture. “You forget I am American and care little for these silly rules. Invite who you want. As long as the people I’ve requested have their invitations, I will not be displeased.”

  “Thank you, Tony.”

  He stared into her eyes a long time before picking up her hand and kissing her knuckles. “I should stay silent on the subject, but that kiss was more than I expected. I don’t know why I did it. You drew me in like a magnet, and I had no ability to resist. Even then, I thought it would be a quick kiss that would mean nothing. I want to always be honest with you, Sylvie. I have never had a kiss touch me so deeply, and I’m not at all sure what to do about it.”

  Pulling her hand free, she walked to the open door. “There is nothing to do. It was a kiss, Tony. You have not ruined me, and no one need ever know that we made a misstep. An accident that will mean nothing in a few days. In a few months, I will complete this assignment, and you will go back to your life as I go back to mine. You will succeed as the Earl of Grafton with the approval of the ton. Perhaps you will have your vineyard, and one day, when you’re ready, you will marry an appropriate woman to give you an heir. I will take other assignments and live a fulfilling life with the Everton Domestic Society. Do not make more of this than it is. You have not injured me. I could have stopped you, and I should have.”

  His eyes burned with anger. “I don’t believe you feel that way, but I see your point. I shall not ‘misstep’ again. I assume you will return tomorrow for the remaining curtain delivery?”

  “I will be here after luncheon, my lord.”

  Impossibly, the anger in his eyes mounted. “I see, we are back to formal address, Miss Dowder. I do not know if I shall be available tomorrow when you arrive. Please feel free to proceed without me.”

  “Of course. Your presence is not needed to hang some curtains.”

  “Very well.”

  She turned and left his bedroom in search of Mrs. Horthorn.

  It would have been easy to fix the rift she’d created. All she had to do was call him Tony and lighten her tone of voice. He wouldn’t even require an apology, but she knew this was for the best. That kiss had broken all the Everton rules, and her own as well. It had been the most wonderful experience of her life, and it was wrong. Nothing could make it right. Hunter’s kisses had been pale compared to the volcano that erupted between her and Anthony Braighton. Keeping him at a distance was critical. The last thing she wanted was to create a scandal that neither she nor her sister could recover from. Becoming a mistress to an earl was no life for Sylvia Dowder. She would not shame herself or her family. Even if his intentions were honorable, he was not long for England, so nothing could come of it.

  Chapter 6

  “I can’t believe the difference in the house, Tony.” Sophia, Anthony’s sister, ran her hand down the pale blue curtains that replaced the dark brown in his study.

  “I wish I could take the credit, but Miss Dowder did a wonderful job.” It had been a week since he had seen Sylvia. She’d come to finish the decorating then left the cleaning and hiring to his staff. Mrs. Colms informed him that Miss Dowder had come by to check that all was in order in the morning, but Anthony had gone to a meeting with his banker.

  His sister, the Countess of Marlton, had come to town unexpectedly to visit some friends. As she had left her husband and children in the country, she would spend a week with Anthony. She ran her hand along his new desk. “She’s done a wonderful job. I can’t get over how a few lighter colors have changed the entire look of the house. It reflects you much more now. I wonder what Aunt Daphne will think when she sees it.”

  “I’m curious as well, but she insisted I take the house and she move to the country. I had to make the place feel more like it’s mine.” Their great-aunt had said she would come to town for his first ball, so he would hear her opinion of the changes then. She could be quite cutting when displeased, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

  Sophia tried to hide her wicked grin but failed as she too was incapable of hiding any of her emotions or feelings. “She will say, Anthony, good gracious what have you done to my house? You must be mad. Be careful or they will begin calling you the Mad Earl of Grafton.” She had a knack for mimicry and did a perfect impression of Aunt Daphne.

  It was impossible to keep a stoic face. He tried and failed. “I hope you are wrong, Sophie, but we shall see next month when she comes to town for my ball.”

  She sat in the newly upholstered chair. Her red gown a contrast to the blue and cream surrounded by dark wood. “Will Miss Sylvia be your hostess for the ball as well?”

  The ache in his chest at the mention of her name was at once painful and pleasant. “She is my Everton lady. She will help with the ball. I can see no reason for Momma to push marriage on me when I have the Everton Domestic Society to do all the things a countess would do.”

  “And you still prefer to remain unmarried?” She raised one dark eyebrow.

  “Of course, why do you ask?” Sylvia’s blue eyes filled with mirth flashed in his mind and he had to shake them away.

  Shrugging, she smoothed her skirt. “It is only that since I arrived a few hours ago, you have spoken of Miss Sylvia Dowder more than I have ever heard you speak of anyone. Are you certain you are not smitten with her?”

  “No,” he answered too quickly. “I mean to say. She works for me. It would not be appropriate to harbor feelings for her. She is doing a fine job and that is all.” He sat across from her on the divan and ran his hand over the deep blue fabric. It was stupid, but he wondered how pretty Sylvia would look in the color. It would set off her eyes.

  Sophia’s smile dimmed, she got up, rounded the low table and sat next to him. “I suggest if you plan to continue that lie, you mask your expressions better outside of this room. But Tony, if you’re in love with her, why not explore the idea of a life with her? She’s a nice girl from a good family. What happened to her engagement is
notorious gossip, but I hope that would not stop you from pursuing a relationship.”

  Anger flared so strong he jerked away from her. “March is a dog. Nothing he could do would stop me.”

  When his sister’s eyes widened, and her mouth hung open, he knew he’d made a mistake. He’d shown just how much he liked Sylvia when he wanted to quash the emotions and go on as before. Kissing her had been a momentary lapse in judgment that he was determined not to let happen again.

  He shook his head. “I only mean, if I was interested, March’s behavior would not be an issue.”

  “You know, Tony, lying to me is one thing, but lying to yourself is not at all healthy.” She held up a hand to forestall his denial. “Just the same, I will give you some advice. If you love her, don’t be a fool. Not pursuing the woman you love to prove some point to your mother is idiotic. Momma only wants you to be happy. She had a long wonderful marriage, and she wants the same for her children. Believe me, when they sent me away to London, the last thing I wanted was to fall in love. My experience had tainted my idea of what a marriage would or could be. I’m not sure why you are so against the notion, but think it through before you punish yourself and Sylvia.”

  Sophia had endured more than Anthony could bear to think about at the hands of a family friend. The thought made him sick to his stomach. “Momma and Papa had an ideal marriage filled with love and respect. I see more marriages of convenience since we moved to England than I care to count. I know you and Marlton have more than that, but I can’t see myself tied down to one woman for the rest of my life. I like Sylvia. She is smart, funny and beautiful, but that’s just the problem. What if I married her or some other girl and all I did was make her miserable? She could end up hating me. Then what; I go find a mistress and she a lover? I think it better to have no delusions. I’m not the marrying type, Sophie. Sylvia Dowder deserves someone who will cherish her and make her happy. I’m not that kind of man.”

  Staring at him as if he’d just spoken in a foreign tongue, she pursed her lips. Her telling expressions went from shock, to sorrow, then the scariest of all, cunning. “So, if I bring a nice gentleman, Mr. Tucker, to your ball and introduce him to Sylvia, you would not mind. I met him last year. He is wealthy and landed, has a nice disposition and a keen mind. I think he would be a fine match for her and he is not the type who would mind her lack of dowry or the March scandal.”

  He didn’t know what to say. Fear and fury waged war in his gut. Still, if Sylvia liked this Mr. Tucker… “It would be none of my business, if she were to be courted by your Mr. Tucker.” He had to swallow the bile rising in his throat.

  “I don’t believe you, Tony. I think you’re in love with her. But since you say you’re not, I will bring Mr. Tucker along and test your resolve.” She stood and stretched her arms over her head. “Your guests will be arriving soon. You had better put your coat on to greet them.”

  Taking the coal-gray coat from the back of his chair, he longed to throttle his sister, or at least toss her in the lake as he had when they were children. “You may bring whomever you want. I have no claims on Sylvia or any other woman. I will remain unattached until producing an heir is inevitable. That should give me another twenty years to enjoy myself.”

  “It just sounds like twenty lonely years to me, Tony.” She kissed his cheek and exited the study.

  Following her out, he saw Sylvia in every room as they crossed to the great parlor. Even the foyer, where they had made no changes, had her touch as a large bouquet of flowers had been delivered from Everton House earlier in the day. She had thought of everything.

  The dining room was like new with cream-colored curtains, which were pulled back allowing the last of the day’s light to filter in before the candles were lit. Even the dark table had been covered with white linen and all the china and silver polished to a high shine. Crystal goblets shone like crowns above each place setting, ready to be filled with wine when dinner commenced.

  The knocker on the door sounded, and a moment later Sylvia entered the dining room. Stunning in an emerald-green gown, her hair far more intricately styled than was her custom, she patted a curl down around her flushed cheek. Since her mother would be in attendance, there was no need for another chaperon. “I hope everything is to your liking, my lord.”

  “It is perfect, Sylvie. My sister knows we are friends. There is no need for formality in front of her. There will be plenty of time for titles this evening.” Dread crept into his tone despite his desire to prove to his momma that he would be an honorable earl without a wife.

  The ladies curtsied. Sylvia smiled. “It’s good to see you again, my lady.”

  There was Sophia’s wicked grin again. “I think Sophia will do for me as well if you will permit me to call you Sylvia.”

  “I would be honored.” Sylvia shifted a goblet at the near end of the table then nodded at the arrangement.

  “You have done a wonderful job,” Sophia said. “The house looks like new. I can hardly believe it is the same home I lived in when I first arrived in London. Of course, my room is unchanged. Aunt Daphne was very kind in redecorating for my arrival.”

  Sylvia nodded. “That room is so pretty there was no need to make any changes. It is the perfect room for a young lady. We should go to the parlor before the other guests arrive.

  “I particularly loved what you did with Tony’s room. Such a big change with so little expense. Perhaps I should have you come out to Marlton and update the country home. It can be a bit dreary.”

  “I would be happy to help. I hope that whoever Tony eventually chooses for his countess will like the master chambers as well. I tried to make it pretty while still keeping it a bit masculine.” Sounding very nonchalant about the decor of his bedroom did not keep the blush from her cheeks.

  “Only a fool would quarrel with what you have done.” Sophia preceded them into the parlor, now with less furniture and lighter colors to offset the dark woods.

  The footman lit the last of the candles and left them.

  Once Sylvia sat, Anthony did too. “You look very pretty in that color, Sylvie.”

  “Thank you, but you really shouldn’t say such things. I’m not really a guest, Tony. I work for you.”

  His curt response was cut off.

  Sophia said, “Speaking of guests, I noticed there are ten place settings. Who is coming to dinner?”

  Anthony agreed it wiser to avoid argument. “Besides Miss Dowder and her mother, we have the pleasure of Lord Stansfield and his uncle Mr. Condon, as well as Miles Hallsmith, and the Duke and Duchess of Middleton.”

  Sophia clapped. “You will love Preston and Millie Knowles, Sylvia. Did you know Her Grace was an Everton lady?”

  “She is a very popular subject at the Society. She was gone before I joined, but many of the ladies and dowagers still speak very fondly of her.”

  “I didn’t know you were friends with Lord Stansfield, Tony.” Sophia plucked at her gloves.

  “He is an acquittance. I like him, and he is attempting to court Miss Serena Dowder. Sylvie asked if he could join the party tonight, and I thought it a grand idea.” The way Sylvia’s skin turned from cream to ruby red made his mouth water with longing to touch her and kiss her. It was impossible and inconvenient, but he couldn’t deny his desire. However, he could conquer it.

  Sophia wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh, I love a good romantic encounter. I have only met Lord Stansfield once, but he seemed very intelligent, and he has kind eyes. You say he is coming with his uncle?”

  “Yes,” Sylvia said. “Mr. Condon is staying with him for a few weeks, and rather than leave him at home alone, he will round out our party nicely.”

  “It should be a lively night.” Sophia had plucked her glove off, and when the knocker sounded, she frowned and tugged it back on. “I have always hated gloves. The best part about a dinner party is that you can remove them for dinner.�
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  Momma walked in before Wells could announce her. “You have never liked the niceties of being a lady, Sophia. You preferred Philadelphia, where you could break all the rules.”

  They all rose. Sophia kissed her mother on both cheeks. “True, Momma, but London has its charms, and it did bring me to Daniel.”

  Momma always smelled of wildflowers. Her cheek was warm and soft and brought Anthony back to his childhood and all the wonderful memories. It also reminded him of losing their father and the responsibilities he now maintained. “You look stunning as always, Momma.”

  Angelica still wore black every day in honor of her husband, but tonight the dark gown was piped with a yellow that made it less dour. Her long, dark hair was pulled up but curled loosely around her olive skin and the same golden eyes he and his sister had inherited. “I thought it time to lighten up.” Her rich Italian accent lilted with more happiness than he’d heard from her in years.

  Miles Hallsmith arrived, complimented every woman in the room, then the room itself. “The house looks marvelous, Grafton. I see you in all the changes.”

  Catching Sylvia hiding her smile shot a warm joy through him. She had managed to put his personality into the new decor. It was a bit of magic, the way she’d accomplished it.

  Felicia and Serena Dowder’s arrival took a toll on Sylvia’s mood. She stole away into a corner and whispered with her sister while their mother chatted with his. He’d grown up with a sister but still had no idea what women whispered about with such animation.

  Slapping his back, Miles leaned in. “It’s futile to try to figure them out. Just enjoy them and let them be a mystery.”

  The rest of the party arrived at once. It turned out that Middleton and Stansfield had been at Eton together and remained good friends.

  When they all finally went in for dinner, Mr. Condon was seated next to Momma. The two chatted like they’d known each other for years. A knot formed in Anthony’s gut, and it would not loosen up.