Cummings cleared his voice nervously. “Of course, I had not attended a meeting until today, but I found the discussion invigorating.” His tone had turned adoring. Douglas had to fight the urge not to box the nitwit’s ears.
He threw Cummings a disgusted look, but the man never noticed. A mixture of calculation and adulation colored the younger man’s expression. He would probably ask to lick the bottom of her feet. Before he could point out that attending a meeting to hear another lecher talk about the Roman Empire did not make one an appropriate suitor, Lady Victoria made her way through the throng surrounding Cicely. She gave Douglas an odd look, but said nothing about his choice to guard her niece.
“Cicely, darling, your cousin has seats for us and the musicians are setting up so they should be starting soon.”
“If you will excuse me, gentlemen.” Cicely smiled at the hounds sniffing around her skirts then offered Douglas a look of warning. “I must do as my aunt bids.”
With that, she slid seductively through the crowd, attracting the attention of every last rake in the room.
Just where had this goddess come from? She looked different, yes, but now she even moved differently. There was a sway to her hips that was not there before.
As she bent to talk to the Dowager Duchess of Fillmore, a waiter dropped a tray of refreshments, the crystal crashing to the floor. Shards of glass flew in every direction. Douglas sighed, a long one of resignation and understanding. He had a rather definite feeling accidents would become a normal occurrence from men around Cicely.
He followed her to her seat, only to find her aunt situated on one side of her and her cousin on the other. There was an open seat next to Lady Anna. Knowing that if he made an issue out of the seating people would take notice, he swallowed his objection and took the seat. After settling into his chair, he decided to do his damnedest to ignore the throb of arousal pulsing in his veins and concentrate on the music.
By the time intermission rolled around, Douglas knew without a shadow of a doubt he was crazy. He’d lost his mind and any sense of judgment he possessed. Where he was, what he was doing proved it.
He’d sat through the singularly worst performance he had ever seen, just so he could keep a watchful eye on Cicely, worried she might ruin her reputation. Never before had he worried about virgins and their purity. The only thought he gave them was how to avoid them. But now, here he stood, watching from across the room, as a young baron fell under her spell when she smiled at him.
A tangle of lust and protectiveness, not to mention aggravation, kept him in a foul mood for most of the night. In one moment he was ready to shoot any number of the men gathering around her seeking to gain her attention. In the next, he was ready to tear that damned red dress from her beautiful, proud, pale shoulders and explore every curve barely concealed beneath.
The throb of desire that had gripped him earlier that evening would not subside. The best thing would be to leave, find a woman and relieve his torment. It had been weeks since he’d had a woman and he definitely needed the release. But the memory of that simple kiss still haunted him on a nightly basis and it was now going to worsen with the image of her in that dress. For the first time in years, Douglas had actually awakened in the middle of an orgasm. He hadn’t done that since his teen years.
Cicely laughed at something Cummings said—that hound had come sniffing around her skirt again—and Douglas mashed his teeth together.
Cummings was the worst sort of rake. Speculation ran high and fast through those in the know about how long it would be before the young earl ended up in debtor’s prison. There were bets on the books at White’s on how much longer the earl would be a free man.
With the mounting debt from his taste for cards, not to mention his expensive mistress who reportedly fancied jewels, the new earl was sinking the earldom into complete devastation. He’d lose it. The only question was how soon.
Several generations of Cummings had been known for their wanton ways. They were always fond of the drink, women and dice. But this one…this one was worse than the others Douglas had heard about.
There had been rumors of a sadistic appetite that made even the most jaded Cyprian avoid Cummings.
Not that Ethingham’s own grandfather or father had been much better than Cummings or his relatives. But Ethingham was never in any danger of being lost. The title remained in his family and mostly untarnished through the years. His family line was known for their acute business acumen, despite the drink. But there were other things worse than the bottle. Things like a volatile temper and a sense that they were entitled to do as they damn well pleased made life for any and all who lived within the confines of the Ethingham house an unpleasant experience.
“I have always wondered why you stayed unmarried for so long.”
Lady Victoria’s soft voice caused Douglas to start. When he glanced to his right, he found her patiently standing next to him and realized just how lost in his thoughts he’d become. Deciding that it best to take a short break from his obsession with Lady Cicely and her harem of admirers, he turned to face the dowager. Although, the word dowager was deceptive. It brought to mind older women, cranky with their lot in life and convinced the entire world needed to know it. At least, it did to him.
Yet, Lady Victoria would never fit into that category. Even in her fifties, she still possessed the beauty she had when she debuted. Rumor circulating amongst the ladies was that her husband, a complete and utter rake, a legend in his own right, had taken one look at her and fallen, hard. It was understandable with her fair features, blue eyes and rounded figure. She apparently had led him on a merry chase, knowing his reputation as she did. It had taken him the entire season to convince her of his intentions and his heart. Legend held true when he passed. To this day, women Douglas spoke with, those who recounted the tale, sighed when discussing Lady Victoria and her late husband.
Not comfortable with the conversation, his voice was not pleasant when he responded. “I believe most of the ton think it ill-mannered to discuss such matters, especially with a duke who rather likes to keep his private life private.”
She smiled sweetly. “But when said duke is family, I believe the rules can be…stretched.”
He opened his mouth to refute the assumption that every Ware had made since his relationship to Colleen had been exposed, when more laughter sounded from where Cicely stood with her enthusiasts. The crowd had grown by three or four, the men pressing closer to gain her attention. He curled his fingers into his palms and drew in a calming breath. The need to make his way through the throng and claim her as his own almost beat out his better sense. It wasn’t his right to feel so possessive, but he didn’t give a damn.
He eyed several of the newer attendees and ground his teeth together.
Cicely would have no problem finding a man who would eagerly offer to fulfill her request. Among their nondescript faces could be the man who would taste her passion, hear her moans, be the center of her attentions.
Anger whipped through him at the thought of any of them even thinking about touching her. He looked over the crowd of gentlemen, noting their expressions, trying to remember if she had danced with any of them the other night. Was one of them the man she had planned to meet? Had she made plans for another elicit rendezvous?
“Your Grace, I believe growling at musicales is also considered ill-mannered by the ton.”
He did not miss the amusement in her voice as he turned back to the older woman.
“I believe when you are a duke you are allowed to do exactly what you please.” The coldness of his reply had the laughter draining from her expression and Douglas cursed himself. The words and tone were not his. They were ingrained in him, perhaps from birth, perhaps before.
When he got in a temper, he had a tendency to sound like his father and grandfather. It was something he’d tried his best to hide and definitely did not act upon. But at times, his breeding reared its ugly head. “I apologize, my lady. I find myself i
n bad humor since listening to the performance.”
Some of the color returned to her face, and her eyes softened. “That is understandable considering the performance.”
A flash of red caught his eye and he glanced to see Cicely leaving behind her bevy of gentlemen. It only took a few moments for Cummings to separate himself from the others and follow her down the hall. Did women make an assignation at a musicale? Even the boldest of experienced women were more discreet.
The man had not been all that tactful about separating himself from the group. Cummings needed that generous dowry set on her and more than likely would compromise Lady Cicely to gain it. Granted, Douglas wondered why it had taken Cummings so long to act on it, but he was sure it had to do with her newly discovered assets.
“If you will excuse me, my lady, I find myself in need of fresh air.”
Casting a knowing look in the direction of where he had last seen Cicely, she said, “Douglas, I know that you are…uncomfortable when we try to include you in our family.” He opened his mouth to argue the point but she waved his protest away. “I see it in your reserved behavior, the way you hold yourself apart from us at gatherings. It is understandable considering your family.”
Embarrassment and dread engulfed him. Not many people knew of his family’s troubles, but there was no doubt that Lady Victoria had heard something. The worst of it would be if she knew the whole horrid tale of his childhood. He liked to conceal just how hellish his life had been until his grandfather had passed away after losing a duel.
“Now, do not look like that. I wanted to say that if you ever need to talk, you know Sebastian would be happy to listen.”
The offer was decidedly odd. Although Victoria did take interest in her children’s pursuits, she did not meddle like most mothers. To offer Sebastian as a sounding board was out of character.
When he said nothing she smiled again. “Go. I do not trust that Cummings fellow. Knowing how much money that family needs, his motives are sure to be questioned.”
Douglas silently cursed when he realized that both Cummings and Cicely had been gone for several minutes. Yet at the same time, he felt his resolve reinforced. Lady Victoria was sending him on this errand. She did not approve either. Bowing his leave of Lady Victoria, Douglas hurried off to ensure that nothing nefarious happened between Cummings and Cicely.
Chapter Eight
In which Lady Cicely discovers there is more than music to enjoy at a musicale.
Cicely sighed as she slowly walked to the door of the retiring room.
Although excited by the attention she had received all evening, it had begun to tire her. Her mouth hurt from the plastered smile she’d worn as men spoke to her breasts. Usually men had a tendency to either ignore her completely or talk to her while eyeing other women, considering how to graciously escape being saddled with her companionship. The constant activity around her was starting to wear on her nerves, and after only one day.
She had never liked crowds, but she had been sure she would find it all so thrilling it wouldn’t matter. Her list of possible prospects had dwindled in the last few hours. Every eligible candidate had made a complete and utter ass out of himself trying to vie for her regard.
And, true to her luck, the one man she craved had only tossed her dark looks all night. Despair threatened to engulf her. She had been so sure her plan was a sound one. She knew without a doubt that getting one of the men who had danced attendance on her that evening to take her up on the offer would be no problem whatsoever. But since that kiss, she wanted no one but Douglas.
“Lady Cicely.”
She barely repressed the groan as she heard Cummings’ voice. He approached her from behind as she faced him. Turning her back on a man with ulterior motives was never a good thing. At least he had the decency to announce himself. For some odd reason, Lady Cicely found she had no difficulty picturing the earl skulking about in some gloomy alley. She shivered slightly.
“Lord Cummings. Whatever are you doing here?” She asked the question as she donned an expression of innocence, knowing exactly why the idiot had followed her. Smiling, she hid her disgust and Cummings’
grin widened. Did every man in the world think revealing her true figure made her ignorant? They acted as if she would not remember all their years of inattention.
“As if you did not know?” he said coyly.
His practiced flirting left a cold ball of frustration in her tummy. In all her years of being out in society, she had yearned for the passionate looks other women received. She had stupidly thought the games lovers played would be thrilling.
Cicely had never been so wrong in her assumptions. In one day she had gone from wallflower to Original in the eyes of the ton. She found the new role irritating. How did women like Anna take this? Not once did any of them try to engage her in interesting conversation. They talked of fashion and gossip, most of which she found as fascinating as a blank piece of paper.
When he stepped a shade too close for her comfort, she backed up.
His feral smile told her he knew exactly how he was making her feel.
Another shiver snaked up her spine. “I believe you are implying that I would know your thoughts, sir. I can assure you that I do not.” But she did and it was making her think twice about ever talking to the man again.
Lust flashed across his features and darkened his eyes.
Instead of the feeling of warmth Douglas’ touch gave her, icy fear slithered through her. They were totally and utterly alone, and as she heard the musicians warming their instruments, she realized that any protest on her part would not be noticed. She was quite capable of being loud if the situation called for it but not quite that loud.
He crowded her against the wall, stepping so close she was aware of how the primal instinct to flee clawed at her stomach and called out a warning in her mind. Panic made her pulse throb, knowing that even if a person were to discover them before anything untoward happened, she would still be ruined.
Unaccustomed to flirtations and machinations of the ton behind closed doors and in dark corridors, she hadn’t realized retiring to the privacy of a ladies’ chamber alone was so dangerous. Or at least it hadn’t been for her before tonight.
Cummings placed a hand on the wall beside her head, leaning closer.
She tried to shrink away from him, her alarm growing as she felt his hot breath against her face. The scent of onions mingled with brandy—not to mention body odor—caused bile to rise in her throat.
As she watched him raise his free hand toward her, she knew she had to act, but something in her stayed frozen. Her mind kept screaming she should run or at the very least scream for help. But she could not do it. Her feet felt odd and heavy. Her vision swam and a strange muted buzz sounded in her ears. It was as if she were not even there. As if she were watching from somewhere else, wondering just why she did not fight back. She closed her eyes, not wanting to watch.
“Lady Cicely.”
Relief coursed through her when she heard Douglas’ voice from behind Cummings. A breath she had not realized she had been holding escaped from between her lips and she opened her eyes.
Cummings, idiot that he was, slowly retreated, thinking he had set in motion his plan. Little did he know she had no intention of ruining her reputation with him. She would spend her life as an outcast before she would marry a man who kept a mistress and smelled of onions.
“Ah, you found us out, Ethingham.” The self-satisfaction was barely concealed in his nasty, brandy-slurred voice.
Douglas briefly looked from Cummings to her, his eyes taking in the situation. His face was void of expression, telling her nothing of his feelings.
“Are you saying you will call on Lord Penwyth in the morning?”
Douglas’ voice was flat, emotionless.
There was a beat of silence. Panic raced through Cicely at the thought of what Sebastian would do to Cummings. She did not want her cousins to suffer because of her stupidity. Wantin
g to ensure both men understood her intentions, she stepped around Cummings and faced Douglas squarely.
“I do not believe that necessary, Your Grace.”
Douglas’ attention zeroed in on her as Cummings chuckled. She didn’t know who she loathed more for their arrogance.
Cummings decided to take control. “Darling, Ethingham has discovered us in a most compromising situation. Your reputation will be in tatters. You truly have no choice.”
His assured tone had her gnashing her teeth. Irritation had her turning around to face the offending earl. “First, I dare say he will not spread tales of this. Unlike you, he can hold his tongue. Second, just so you understand the situation, I would be happy to live out the rest of my life in a state of disgrace and die alone rather than marry someone as insulting and foul as you.”
Even in the dim candlelight, she could see the color seep from his face.
“Who do you think you are?” The utter amazement in his voice had her rushing ahead without much thought.
“A woman with enough good sense to see the truth. You are beneath me.”
His eyes narrowed as his lips curled into a snarl. “Your mother spread her legs for anyone with money.”
Embarrassment held her immobile. What he said was true. Her mother had had a horrible standing but until this moment, no one assumed Cicely would be the same.
Years of suppressed anger started to bubble. Her own mother had mocked her about her lack of beauty and grace, and now she was having to defend her honor because of her mother’s behavior.
“Perhaps you should have pursued her then.”
“You little bitch.” Disgust dripped from his tone as he took a step closer to her. “I should teach you a lesson.” He raised his hand as if to smack her but Douglas stopped him with one sentence.
“If you will have your seconds call upon me, Cummings, I know that we can set a dawn appointment.”
Once Upon an Accident 02 - Lessons in Seduction Page 9