Seven Nights of Sin: Seven Sensuous Stories by Bestselling Historical Romance Authors

by Victoria Vane

  Derrick took another piece of bond from the desk drawer. About to write to Maudling, he paused and sighed heavily. The house seemed too quiet. Since meeting Bella, he wanted more from life. It pained him to admit he’d planned to take advantage of her gratitude. Then he found himself enjoying the restoration of the orphanage, far more than he’d anticipated. The children pleased him too. He looked forward to visiting them, watching their eager faces light up at the sight of him. And what of Bella herself? He wanted her here now, to fill the lonely ache in his heart. He put down the pen. Had he learned nothing from the experience?

  With Hector’s death, he realized how short life could be. Whatever happened in the future, he would embrace life, with Bella by his side, his children’s faces lighting up at the sight of him.

  Derrick put the notepaper back in the drawer. He had claimed Bella as his last night. And, by God, he was going to have her. It was not too late. Her parents would return home in a few days. Once he’d dealt with the repercussions of Hector’s death, he would call and ask for her hand.

  ***

  “You cannot go through with this ridiculous plan,” Gran said. “You must send a note to this bounder, Eaglestone, who has seduced you and stop him from writing to Lord Maudling.”

  “But, Gran, Derrick didn’t seduce me.” She flushed. “I seduced him.”

  “A clever rake can make a woman believe anything.”

  “That’s simply not true. He did this for me.”

  “Ha! A likely story. Why doesn’t he marry you then?”

  Bella had no answer for that. “I’m not sure,” she said miserably. She was cold and shocked and wanted to tell Gran what had just happened in the park, but hesitated. Gran was angry enough.

  “Exactly. Write the note. Or I shall.”

  “I’ll have to marry Lord Maudling,” Bella said, feeling that her life was over.

  “I dislike Maudling. I don’t know what your father is thinking. Financial worries must have clouded his brain. As for your mother, well, she’s lost her nerve since she was sick. Used to stand up to him once.”

  “I can’t bother Mama with this. She’s still too delicate.”

  Gran straightened her shoulders. “Well, I’m not. I shall tell your father what I think of him. He won’t like his mother believing ill of him. We’ll nip this in the bud.”

  Bella’s low spirits rose a little. “Do you really think it’s possible?”

  Gran patted her hand. “Of course it is.” She raised her eyebrows. “You haven’t got yourself pregnant, have you, Bella?”

  Bella flushed. “Gran! No. Derrick was careful.”

  “Derrick indeed. I want to meet this Eaglestone. Give him a piece of my mind. Seems to me he needs a fire lit under him.”

  “He doesn’t deserve that. He’s been splendid.”

  “Splendid, eh? Good in bed by the sound of it. Another thing Eaglestones are noted for.”

  Bella’s face grew even hotter. “Gran!”

  “Get paper and a pen. I shall dictate that note.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THE NEXT DAY, at his desk, Derrick sliced open the letter from Bella. Worried about her, he’d given in to the urge to call and see her. He had to ensure himself that she was all right. She’d been through so much, his poor love. He wouldn’t be happy until he had her in his arms again. He opened the letter and read her words.

  Dear Lord Eaglestone,

  I am writing to advise you that I have had a change of heart concerning Lord Maudling. I beg you not to write to him. It is no longer necessary.

  Yours sincerely,

  Bella Lacey

  Perplexed, Derrick threw the letter down. It was as if their night together had never happened. He rose from behind his desk and stalked the library. Had she decided to marry Maudling after all? A dark net of despair settled over him. Had he been wrong to think Bella cared for him? She’d never told him so. Might she have wanted a dalliance before she married a bore? In which case, it wouldn’t have been necessary to lie to him. He’d have been perfectly happy to oblige. Aware of his own culpability, he raked his hands through his hair. Compassion for her situation quickly dampened his anger. Perhaps she’d lost her nerve and preferred the safety of marriage to Maudling. He could hardly blame her, especially after witnessing him shooting his cousin dead. He spun on his heel and stopped before the fireplace, rested a foot on the fender, and stared into the empty grate. What if her father had arrived home early and was pressuring her into marriage? Dammit, he couldn’t let this go. He had to find out. Striding from the library, he went in search of his valet.

  Half an hour later, he left the house, pulling on his gloves. A bobby stood at the bottom on the steps.

  “Could you accompany me to Bow Street Police Court, my lord?”

  ***

  As Bella scurried along the passage, her throat ached with unshed tears. As soon as her bedroom door closed behind her, she threw herself on the bed and cried into her pillow. She’d been determined to be brave, but Derrick would believe she’d lied to him after reading the letter Gran made her write, that she’d intended to marry Maudling all along. Would she ever be able to explain? She hated to have him think ill of her.

  The next morning, Bella woke with a headache. She’d received no word from Derrick in reply to her letter. Of course, he wouldn’t wish to see her.

  She was about to ring for tea when sounds erupted from the front hall and footsteps sounded on the stairs. She threw back the covers as the door opened.

  Her mother came in, pulling off her hat. “We were forced to leave early; your father had a nasty turn.”

  “Oh no!” Bella’s heart raced. Had he heard about her night with Derrick?

  “It was just after we attended the wedding.” Her mother sank down on the bed, looking inexpressibly weary.

  “Where is Father? I must go and see him.”

  “He’s feeling better. You’ll find him in his study.” She rose. “I must change my dress. We’ve been on the road since yesterday. Stayed at the most dreadful inn last night.”

  Filled with dread, Bella hurried downstairs. She found her father at his desk reading the mail. “Are you all right, Papa?”

  “Better now.” He smiled. “You haven’t called me Papa for years, Bella. Come and give me a kiss.”

  Overcome with affection for him, she leaned over and kissed his bristly cheek. He patted her back absently.

  “Did you enjoy the wedding?”

  “Yes, my dear. A lot of fuss and expense just to tie the knot, if you ask me.”

  Financial worry must have made him ill. She was almost glad she’d sent the letter to Derrick. She would marry Lord Maudling. She owed it to Father to save the family.

  She would tell him of her decision. “Papa I—“

  Her father waved her away with his hand. “I must attend to these bills now, my dear. Run along.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  DERRICK’S SOLICITOR met him in a holding cell in the magistrate’s chambers at Bow Street Court. “They can’t keep you here with a trumped-up charge of murder, my lord. It won’t stick. You’ll be home by luncheon.”

  Furious at having to spend the night in the cells, Derrick scowled and coiled his fingers around the bars. “I need a few hours’ sleep. Spent the night with bludgers and inebriates. Couldn’t turn my back on ’em. What evidence have you found, Rigby?”

  “Located a park gardener who witnessed the whole thing. Took me a while to find him. He’s here now signing a statement.”

  “Hector is known to the police,” Derrick said. “There’s been trouble over the years. Then there was that incident some months ago when he winged that flat, Pettigrew, after he cheated at cards. Do we need to employ the barrister who kept Hector out of jail?”

  Rigby shook his head. “You could make a big fuss over this outrage, my lord. This is not even going before the court.”

  The turnkey unlocked the cell door.

  “I have no energy for it.” Derr
ick stepped through the door and slapped Rigby on the back. “I don’t know how you did it, but I’m bloody grateful. You’re worth your weight in gold.”

  “It was easy, my lord. A complete injustice. I’m deeply sorry things have turned out the way they have.”

  “And I.” Derrick shook his head in utter disbelief. He still couldn’t get his mind around losing Hector in that dreadful manner. “I must return home and bathe. I smell like I spent the night in a lushery, and I have a very important matter to deal with.”

  Rigby grinned. “I see you’ve learned some of the vernacular, my lord.”

  “Quite an education,” Derrick said, ineffectively dusting his soiled coat.

  ***

  Bella dined with her parents in the long summer twilight. The hours had passed as she’d waited for Derrick to come or to send a letter. Nothing.

  Lord Maudling had written, however, stating his intention to call at two o’clock the next day. It could mean only one thing.

  Her father’s spirits had brightened at the news as he carved the roast.

  Her mother eyed her anxiously as Bella picked at her meal. “Are you unwell, my dear?

  “No, Mama.”

  Not wishing to add to her mother’s worries, Bella swallowed a piece of beef, which promptly stuck in her throat. She hurriedly sipped her glass of claret, a wine she didn’t care for, to wash it down.

  “I read something in The Times this morning about Lord Eaglestone, which only confirmed my opinion of him,” her father said, his jaws working furiously.

  With a feeling of dread, Bella put down her knife and fork. “What was that, Father?”

  “Shot and killed a fellow in the park. His cousin, no less. I don’t wish you to see him again, Bella.”

  “I would never have thought Eaglestone capable of such violence.” Mama patted Bella’s hand. “Do eat, dear, you need your strength.”

  For what? Bella wondered gloomily. She ate a small piece of potato as her mind spun. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on the newspaper.

  “Why isn’t my mother at the table?” Father demanded.

  “She had a tray sent up. She’s a little fatigued,” Mama said.

  “Why? She’s not ventured outdoors since her trip to Bath,” he said as he dissected a baked beet.

  “May I be excused?” Bella asked as guilt piled upon guilt. “I’ll go up and see her.”

  “But you haven’t eaten anything,” her mother said. “We have cocoa flummery for dessert. Your favorite.”

  “I’m watching my figure,” Bella said.

  “Nonsense. Men like curves,” Father said with a smile at her mother. He waved his arm. “Go if you must. You’re spoiling my appetite.”

  Bella escaped and rushed straight to the study. She snatched up the newspaper and read it quickly before climbing the stairs. The article stated baldly that Derrick had shot his cousin. Couched in those terms, it sounded dreadful.

  In her room, her grandmother sat eating her dinner. “Mother said you are fatigued, Gran.”

  “I am, but a lack of sleep won’t kill me. To be honest I’m so angry with my son I don’t wish to look at him over the dinner table.” She eyed Bella and nodded toward the newspaper. “I don’t believe you mentioned this.”

  Bella sank down onto a chair. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

  Gran took it from her and rested her glasses on her nose. “I prefer you to be honest with me. Did you think I would judge him harshly? I knew what that cousin of his was capable of.”

  “It was Hector’s fault. He shot first. Derrick was resourceful and brave. I know he didn’t want to kill his cousin.”

  “Whatever their weaknesses, an Eaglestone would not shoot a man in cold blood.”

  “Lord Maudling is to call tomorrow. I expect he’ll propose.”

  Gran pushed her plate away. “You’re going through with this for your father’s sake?”

  Her shoulders heaved with distress. “I have to.”

  “I never wished that for you, Bella. Your father refused to discuss it.”

  Bella twined her trembling fingers together, her heart heavy. “He’s determined.”

  At the sound of the doorbell, Bella jumped up.

  “Who could be calling at this hour?” Gran asked.

  Filled with a ridiculous sense of hope, Bella ran to the top of the stairs as the footman, Gerald, opened the door. Derrick’s husky voice rose from the front hall. Leaning over the banister rail at his dark head below, she almost called to him.

  She hesitated when her father appeared. She couldn’t hear his words, but the tone of his voice would have frozen anyone in their tracks. But not Derrick. Her heart soared.

  “I beg that you hear me out, Sir Randolph.”

  Perhaps with a thought to his finances, her father hesitated. “Very well. Come into my study.”

  They disappeared from view.

  Bella ran down the stairs and put her ear to the door, just as her mother came into the corridor. “What on earth are you doing?”

  “Lord Eaglestone is inside. He’s speaking to Father.”

  “What’s Lord Eaglestone doing here?”

  “Shush. I can’t hear.”

  Her mother grabbed her arm. “Come away before the servants see you.”

  Bella reluctantly obeyed, refraining from mentioning Gerald had seen her before he disappeared down the servants’ stairs to the kitchen. The whole house would be abuzz.

  As she and Mama sat in the parlor, Gran entered with a determined expression. “What is happening?”

  “Lord Eaglestone is in with Papa,” Bella said.

  “Why is he here? Is it something to do with your orphanage?”

  “She loves Lord Eaglestone, Moira,” Gran said, sitting down. “You and my son have been deaf to Bella’s dreams. You’ve put your comfort above Bella’s happiness. I am ashamed of you both.”

  “I want Bella to have the best life can offer. The wife of a wealthy earl would ensure it,” Mama said. “Do you love this man?”

  “Very much, Mama.”

  She sighed. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Would you have listened?” Gran straightened her shoulders. “I’m guilty too, it seems. If this young man is here for Bella, I, for one, will make sure that she marries him.”

  The door opened, and Father strode in, with Derrick behind him. Bella’s anxious gaze flicked from her father’s to Derrick’s.

  Her father wasn’t smiling, but neither did he glower at her.

  A black band decorated Derrick’s sleeve. He was his elegant self in a grey suit, but somehow stripped bare, his face somber. She saw the depth of his emotion in his eyes when he looked at her. Her heart went out to him, and she wanted to rush into his arms.

  Derrick greeted her mother and Gran and then turned to her father. “May I have a moment alone with your daughter, sir?”

  When the door closed behind them, Bella rose and ran to him. She could hardly believe he was here alone with her. That her father had agreed. Her heart pounded. She gazed up into his face. There were shadows beneath his eyes. He placed his hands lightly on her shoulders.

  “Your father has generously given me permission to request your hand in marriage.”

  She released a long sigh. How desperately she’d wanted this. But not if he was merely intent on rescuing her. “Are you sure you want this, Derrick? It’s not just because you feel I need—”

  His hands firmed on her shoulders. “I need you in my life, Belle.”

  “Do you?” Her voice trembled. She still did not quite believe him. Why hadn’t he come sooner? He’d left her to worry for two days! “Father would have been very much against it. How did you get him to agree?”

  “I explained about Hector and addressed the rumors that have been spread about me over the years—the ones that are untrue, at least.” She looked up at him as his lips quirked in a smile.

  She couldn’t help smiling back. She did love him so. But she remained uneasy.
Maudling arrived tomorrow, and the power the man had over her father worried her. “I still can’t believe you got Father to agree, or even listen to you.”

  Golden lights lit his tawny eyes. His arms encircled her, a hand on the small of her back. “He was set against the idea,” he said against her hair. “Until I mentioned the merger and my plans for the expansion of my steel foundry up in Lincolnshire.”

  “Oh!” Bella leaned back to touch his cheek, wanting to kiss him. “How very clever of you!”

  “I consider myself very clever in my choice of bride, Miss Lacey,” he said huskily, kissing her ear. “But you’ve yet to give me your answer.”

  “I love you, Derrick. Of course I will marry you.”

  “Thank you, my love. It must be a small, quiet wedding. Do you mind, Bella?”

  “No, darling.” The question of whether he loved her pushed its way into her blissful thoughts, like a cold wind on a sunny day. Might he be doing this out of some misplaced feelings of responsibility? Her love for him filled her with such joy she pushed the thought away.

  “I’ll arrange for a special license, and we can be married in a day or two. I think it best we leave town afterward, honeymoon away from…”

  Aware of the reason he wished to leave London, she coiled her arms around him and drew him down for a kiss.

  They walked arm in arm to the sofa. “Where are we to go?”

  “To my country seat, Eaglestone Park in Lincolnshire.”

  The next day, Lord Maudling arrived. Bella stopped in her packing to watch uneasily from the upper landing as he burst from the study, snatched his hat and cane from the footman, and stalked out.

  At dinner on the last night she would be here as a single woman, her father apologized. “I wore blinkers where Maudling was concerned,” he said. “I wanted to see only the good in the man. I’m glad you’re not marrying him, Bella.”