Dinner was an excruciating affair. Course after course had been served. Rich dishes he should have enjoyed but did not. The orchestrated meal was not about the food, it was about who could outdo whom.
Douglas never cared much for all the frivolity that went with society. But, in the past few years, he had grown accustomed to the games. As he listened to Lord Oglithorpe bore everyone with stories of his hounds, Douglas took a drink of dry red wine and contemplated his dinner companion.
Cicely had been on her best behavior since she had propositioned him. Of course, that didn’t mean he had been. It was as if he were finally awakened from a long sleep. For some reason, ever since that moment on the dance floor, he had begun noticing small things about her. Just ordinary things, but nonetheless, they were wreaking havoc with his ability to think straight.
She smiled innocently at something Oglithorpe said, then pulled her full lower lip between her teeth. The simple gesture caused Douglas to lick his own lips as thoughts of just how her mouth would taste flickered in his mind. He should be shocked at his reaction, and he was, sort of, but he couldn’t seem to stop thinking about it. Just like he couldn’t stop thinking about how she had felt in his arms when they waltzed. Or how she would feel in his embrace, in his bed.
He swallowed as another blast of arousal rushed over his flesh and through his blood at the memory. The sound of her soft voice, the clean, womanly scent of her. Both were still affecting him now. He couldn’t believe he’d gone this long thinking of Cicely as a little sister. Especially since not one single thought of her in the past hour had been close to brotherly. He’d been blind, but not anymore.
Other than their conversation, nothing had changed, while at the same time everything had. Douglas was sure over the last two years they had danced at least a dozen times, yet until she uttered her proposition, he never once considered her as more than a pleasant companion. Now, even watching her watch everyone else was a fascinating task for him.
He’d never noticed how she did not actually participate but rather held herself back, observing, as if she wasn’t part of the group. Did she feel that way? As if she were just an outsider, someone not really accepted, but not a total outcast. Not once had he suspected they had so much in common.
“Your Grace?” Lady Tremount asked.
He turned to find her studying him with jaded interest. He still regretted the affair he’d had with her the year before. When he’d realized she was sitting next to him this evening, he’d almost bolted. Felicia hadn’t taken their breakup very well.
“Lady Tremount.”
“I asked you if you will be attending the Enderlin’s house party next week.”
He stifled a sigh. For the moment at least, Felicia seemed to have forgotten her verbal attack on him. Even though she’d been married for the last decade to Tremount, she’d had numerous affairs, as had her husband. Douglas was only one of the many. When he’d broken off their brief affair, she’d told anyone who would listen what a coldhearted bastard he was. He could have saved her the time. Most people already thought of him that way.
“Excuse me, Lady Tremount. I was lost in my thoughts.”
Her green gaze drifted past him to Cicely, then focused back on his face. Her eyes narrowed menacingly. “That much is evident, Your Grace.”
He didn’t so much as flinch, but his mind was already working hard on deflecting Felicia’s interest. The woman was a barracuda and if she thought his interest lay with Cicely, she’d destroy her without a thought.
He couldn’t have that happen to an innocent, especially one he admired like Cicely. Worry gnawed at his gut.
“I thought of missing it because I wasn’t sure if there would be anyone interesting going.” He leaned closer, knowing the flirtatious smile and the lowering of his voice to intimate tones would excite Felicia. She loved the game. “Of course, if you are going, I might have a reason to change my mind. My duties have kept me busy. A diversion might be welcome.”
As expected, her eyes flared with sexual interest. He hoped the disgust he felt for his former paramour didn’t show on his face.
“Diversions can be fun,” Felicia said.
Smiling, he settled back in his chair, smug with his victory. That is, until he noticed Cicely. She stared at him, her eyes shimmering with a combination of sadness, disappointment and pain. Before he could explain his reasoning, Bridgerton stepped up behind her.
“Lady Cicely.”
She turned to greet Bridgerton and the smile she bestowed upon the earl made Douglas clench his teeth.
“Lord Bridgerton.”
“I wondered if I could have a moment of your time.”
Relief shown in her face. “Oh.” Immediately she rose from her seat and nodded at her companions. “If you will excuse me.”
Everyone bid her goodbye and she left him without a backward glance. Her back was straight, her stride graceful and reserved.
Felicia leaned closer, her flowery perfume turning his stomach. “I never thought Bridgerton would be sniffing around Lady Cicely, but then, who knows what men will do when they feel they must marry. Perhaps the mart has shrunken over the years.”
“I doubt Bridgerton is spending time with Lady Cicely for that reason.
They are sponsoring my cousin’s newest edition to the Ware family line tomorrow.” But even as he said the words, he narrowed his eyes, watching Bridgerton guide Cicely through the crowd and in the direction of the doors. At least he hoped that was the reason. But the worry of that list and her proposition, along with the knowledge that Bridgerton did need to marry, had Douglas worrying.
“Whatever you say, Your Grace. Men know things women do not.
However, I can tell you the on dit about town and from the tearoom is that his mother has been pushing for a marriage, and soon. Of course, he could marry better. Perhaps they have other things in mind.” She laughed gaily.
He turned to Felicity. She pulled back, the expression on her face dropping from pleasure to concern, perhaps even fear. He knew she saw in his expression to watch her tongue.
“I would hope that you wouldn’t allow your speculation to hurt the reputation of a woman I think of as part of my family.”
Felicia swallowed, anger and worry etching lines on her aging, painted face. How had he not noticed just how many lines were there before, or the fact she was a nasty, hateful woman who wore contempt like a cloak. “Of course, Your Grace.”
He joined the conversation after that, even as his mind drifted back to Cicely. What did Bridgerton have to talk to her about?
Cicely drew in a deep breath of the fresh night air and allowed her nerves to relax. The aroma of new blooms washed away the sickly sweet perfumes and powders of the women inside. She sighed. Sighing was a great means of relaxation. The louder it was, the better she felt. On so few occasions could she get away with the action. Here she was alone and could enjoy a moment of respite.
She stared off in the distance, watching a small fountain spew crystal-clear water from a spout. Fate had never been kind to her, saddling her with an insane mother, an inattentive and gambling father and her plain features. Intelligence, humor and an inquisitive mind, she had those as well. She supposed those almost made up for her hurt.
Almost.
But, tonight, reality had been especially cruel. Less than an hour after refusing her request, Douglas sat at dinner making an assignation with a woman who had the morals of an alley cat. The claws of one as well. Rejection was hard enough, but to be slapped like that…
She wondered now how many times that had happened. How many times had men used her as a shield from other women intent on marrying them and then as a cover so they could make their own plans for the seduction of another woman? She shuddered as she pushed the idea aside, not wanting to contemplate the number.
“You didn’t look as though you were having a good time.”
She jumped a bit at the sound of Bridgerton’s voice. Irritation swept through her, even thou
gh she felt guilty for it. She had been enjoying her privacy. She spent so much time alone, one would think she should savor every moment of social contact. But right now she didn’t feel like it.
She swallowed her pride. He had, after all, saved her from breaking down in tears. She didn’t need another humiliation tonight. Taking in one more breath of air, she faced him.
He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his magnificent chest, his expression serious. She smiled. He’d always been decent to her.
“No, I wasn’t. The season is sometimes tiring.”
He dipped his head once, in agreement. “I agree. I tend to think only intelligent people notice that.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Lord Bridgerton.”
He smiled at her formality and she could not help but return the gesture. “There is a part of me that thinks that maybe this will be my last season.”
His brow drew down in a frown. “Now, don’t let Ethingham’s antics drive you from your friends.”
She laughed, although there was no humor in it. “The friends I have do not go about in society. They keep to themselves, except for attending The Historical Society. No, I think this will be my last real season. It is wasted time, money and energies.”
Bridgerton tried to call to her humor with a smile and a wink. “You can’t just yet. You know with your dowry and intelligence, you should be the catch of the season.”
She shook her head, but said nothing.
“Besides, Sebastian wouldn’t be happy to think he was to be saddled with Anna. She drives him, and just about everyone else, mad.”
She laughed. “Anna might hurt you if she heard your comments.”
His facial features relaxed and he joined in. “Agreed.” He paused, then stepped forward offering his arm. “I believe the orchestra is about to start another waltz. Would you do me the honor of this dance?”
She studied him, regarding him without the blinders of friendship.
For the first time in several years, she realized just how handsome he was. Almost as tall as Douglas, with light brown hair, golden brown eyes and a ready smile, he’d captured the eye of many debutantes. He was known for his taste in clothes, his love of horses and his way with women. But not once had she heard anything about his kindness. She smiled, this time with true feeling.
“Thank you, Daniel. I would love to.”
Their gazes caught, understanding in his for her situation. Deep down in her soul, she knew he had detected her feelings for the duke, but he had been too much of a gentleman to mention it directly. She should feel embarrassed, but instead, she felt only appreciation for the kindness he offered and for his respect.
As he escorted her to the floor, she tried her best not to look for Douglas. She had to move on. Douglas was off the list but there were many more where he came from. She needed something to acquire their attention, and she knew just the woman to help her.
After several more hours, and an overly long carriage ride home thanks to the thick fog, Cicely approached Anna in her room. She knew it was late, but if she didn’t do it now, Cicely was sure she would lose her nerve. After knocking, she entered on Anna’s command.
“Cicely. Come in. Did you have a good time tonight?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you.” She shut the door behind her and followed Anna to her bed. When both of them were sitting on the edge side by side, Cicely gathered her courage. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
Anna’s blue eyes widened and filled with anticipation. Her breathing kicked up a notch. Cicely bit back a chuckle. There was nothing Anna liked better than a challenge.
“I have decided that I need a new look.”
“Truly?”
Cicely nodded.
Anna jumped off the bed and clapped. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun. I have wanted to drag you to the modiste but Mother said not to bother you with such things. And when I asked Sebastian he said that I would drive you batty inside of five minutes. When I asked him what he meant by that…” She stopped talking and bit her lip, pink coloring her cheeks. “I guess I can see his meaning.”
Not wanting the younger woman to feel badly, Cicely tried to soothe her embarrassment. “No. No, Sebastian has gotten a little…staid since taking over the role of earl.”
Anna giggled. “Yes he has. Could you have imagined a man like him would be lecturing me on being too flirtatious? Like he has room to talk.”
“It is much different when it comes to how your sister acts.”
Anna wrinkled her nose. “It’s a double standard if you ask me.” She smiled and rushed forward. “We will go tomorrow, right away for your new clothes. This will be so much fun! Thank you for trusting me.
Tomorrow. It will take forever to get them ready with the season in full swing. We must not dawdle.”
“The baptism is tomorrow, Anna. We cannot go.”
She frowned and tapped her bare foot. “Oh, pooh. But that is only a small portion of the day. We could go afterward, couldn’t we?”
Cicely chuckled despite her worries. When Anna had first moved into the Penwyth townhouse, Cicely had felt a bit overwhelmed and somehow lacking when in her presence. When Cicely realized that it was her own feelings of inadequacies, not anything Anna had done, she had tried her best to ignore her own feelings and not to project them onto Anna. Over the past two years, she’d come to understand that Anna was actually quite smart, but many people missed it because of her bubbly personality. They missed the depth of her feelings, being bombarded with her energy.
“I think it would be in bad form to leave the baptism of your niece, Anna.” She couldn’t hide the humor in her voice.
“Okay, but I expect to go the day after tomorrow. We are definitely going to cut some of that hair.”
Her hand went to the knot of hair at the back of her head. “Cut my hair?”
Anna smiled. “Don’t worry. You have to trust me on this.”
“I do, but my hair?”
“I guess we should get to bed.”
Cicely blinked, a little taken back by Anna’s change in direction. “Yes, it is late and we have an early morning.”
Before she knew what Anna was about, she’d grabbed Cicely by the hand, pulled her off her bed and walked her to the door. She picked up her candle, handed it to her and then continued. “I will take care of everything, get all the appointments set up, arrange our coach. All of it!”
Alarm was setting in. All she had wanted was help with choosing gowns. “Anna—”
But Anna was already opening her door and practically pushing Cicely into the hall. “All will be well, Cicely. Don’t worry. We’ll have great fun. Rest well.”
Before she could respond, Anna shut the heavy walnut door in her face. Cicely blinked, trying to grasp what just happened. She’d believed she needed Anna’s help, but as she walked into her own room, Cicely thought she might have just made a huge mistake.
Chapter Three
In which our hero must pay the piper.
Douglas alighted from his carriage and frowned at the bright sun shining down. An unwelcome change, that. His empty stomach roiled as he closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Maybe drinking himself into a drunken stupor the night before had not been the best idea. He’d thought it brilliant at the time. Now, the sun was vivid while his mood was sour.
When he seemed to have gotten his body under control, he opened his eyes and tried to ignore the needles of pain shooting through his head. He swallowed and walked slowly up the stairs to the Penwyth townhouse. Fitzgerald, their pleasantly aged butler, answered the door.
First-rate was how Douglas would describe Fitzgerald. A true gem.
Fitzgerald noticed everything and commented on nothing. “Your Grace.”
“Good morning, Fitzgerald.” As Douglas stepped over the threshold, the scent of lemons from a fresh waxing assaulted his senses. He pressed his lips together and reminded himself that vomiting in the foyer was in bad form.
Fitzgerald
took one brief look at him and ushered him into Sebastian’s library. He drew a gauzy drapery over both windows, blocking out some of the painful sunlight. “I will get Cook to whip something up for you, Your Grace.”
“You are a treasure, Fitzgerald.” He sank into one of the chairs facing the hearth, away from the towering windows. “I don’t suppose you will change your mind and come work for me?”
“I am sorry, Your Grace.” He chuckled. “Lady Penwyth said that if I left she would never be able to cope.” Dishes clattered in the distance. “I fear she may be right.”
A moment later, he heard Fitzgerald’s retreating steps. Sinking further in the chair, savoring the creature comfort, the creaking as the chair adjusted to his weight, Douglas closed his eyes, crossed his arms over his chest and tried to ignore the pain.
Why did he have to pick last night, of all nights, to drink too much?
He’d actually arrived home early, slinking out of the ball, avoiding Cicely and Felicia. His relationship with Felicia had not been the high point of his life, but he had never felt as disreputable as he had when he realized just how Cicely saw him. For some reason, her disappointment made him feel worse about his behavior.
Last night, as he lay in his large bed, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. The feel of her against him, the way her face lit up when she smiled, the way it had fallen… He couldn’t fathom why his regard of her had changed, but he’d begun thinking about things he had no right thinking about her. Like, what did she look like with her hair down and just when had she started thinking of him as a candidate to take her virginity? Why had she decided to give that gift away? Why did she have a list of prospects?
What did she sound like when she moaned in pleasure?
He groaned when he realized he was half aroused. Again. Shifting in his seat, trying to ease the tightness in his trousers, he decided it had just been too long since he had bedded a woman.
Disgruntled with the whole situation, he rested his chin on his chest and tried to go to sleep. But, as his mind drifted and he felt his body relax, a feminine voice drifted to him.
Once Upon an Accident 02 - Lessons in Seduction Page 3