by Cheryl Bolen
"Something more substantial, I should think," Gregory said. "It's for my new wife."
"Ah!" the middle-aged jeweler said. "You want forever jewels."
Forever. Blast the word! He supposed he was now bound to Glee forever. The concept was not only daunting, it was frightening.
Next, the jeweler showed him a tray of dazzling earrings. At first Gregory thought to purchase the most expensive. After all, the girl was his wife. Then he decided they were far too big for Glee's delicate face. The next largest pair would look most becoming on Glee.
He fleetingly pictured her upturned face all smiles when he presented the earrings to her. Would she throw her arms around him again as she had when he gave her his mother's necklace? It was bloody difficult to feel her breasts crushed into his chest and not want. . .Bloody hell! He must squelch such demonstrations on her part.
* * *
When he stopped at the Pump Room and met Appleton there, Gregory learned enough to make him regret the purchase of the earrings.
"So you've finally finished with your solicitor," Appleton said.
"How do you know where I've been?" Gregory asked.
"Pixie told me.”
"Who, may I ask, is Pixie?"
"Your wife. Said for me to give her a nickname, and I think Pixie suits her, don't you?"
The adjective might very well suit her, but he did not at all like to think of other men giving his wife nicknames. "What's wrong with Mrs. Blankenship?"
Appleton handed the attendant his glass. "She don't like it. Wants to be my friend—like you. I sure as Jove don't call you Mr. Blankenship."
Gregory peered at Appleton through narrowed eyes. "How long did you spend with my wife?"
Appleton thought for a moment. "Two or three hours, I'd say."
"At Blankenship House?"
Appleton shook his head. "Oh, no. I only entered when Pixie asked me to come in. Said she needed my advice."
"On what?"
"On purchasing her phaeton."
Gregory's temper began to flare. "Her what?"
"Phaeton. Just told you." Appleton's quizzing gaze swept Gregory's face. "You do not approve."
"Of course I don't approve. A lady doesn't--"
"But she told me you wouldn't object. Said you wanted her to cut a dashing figure in Bath. I never questioned her because I've known you to be attracted to women who cut a dashing figure. Like a raven-haired woman who always wear purple."
Was this why Glee persisted in vexing him? He could not allow his wife to ride through Bath unescorted in a phaeton—no doubt wearing her scandalous red dress!
"I believe I'll go see my wife," Gregory said, bowing to his friend.
A trip to the mews confirmed Gregory's fears. Glee had, indeed, purchased a shiny new phaeton. He did not like it above half. But he could not very well forbid her to ride it. After all, he was not truly her master. And, God knows, the girl would have enough to endure being married to him.
* * *
As she dressed in a daring black silk gown for Thursday's assembly, Glee nodded to Patty to open her dressing room door after hearing Blanks's knock. Patty did so, then silently retreated.
Glee stood up to greet him, dipping him a curtsey. "We shall match!" she exclaimed, running her eyes over his black clothing.
He watched her with smoldering eyes. "But I don't have red hair, my dear. And I must say your hair is most striking with black—as is your fair skin."
Thank heaven he did not disapprove of her dress! She rushed to him and grabbed both his hands. "I'm happy I please you."
He kissed each of her hands, then detached his entwined fingers from hers. "I've bought you something." He reached into his pocket and withdrew sparkling diamond earrings that would dangle from her ears. "Can't have my wife's ears naked."
His thoughtfulness and kindly words nearly brought tears to her eyes. But she couldn't become a watering pot. It would not at all be the action of the fast women he so admired. "You shouldn't' have. I don't deserve such consideration, but I must say they're beautiful. You'll have to fasten them on for me."
She trembled under his gentle touch as his hand brushed her ear. "Oh, Blanks, I truly don't deserve such a kindly husband. And to think, you are even gracing the dull Assembly Rooms for my benefit!"
"It's all part of the plan, my dear. Everyone in Bath is to be convinced of our devotion to one another."
Why must he be so adamant about keeping to his blasted plan? If only he could spontaneously perform his husbandly acts, she thought morosely. She slipped her arm into his, and they began to leave the chamber. "You will be most pleased I have persuaded Appleton and twins to join us tonight so you won't be so terribly bored. Timothy has promised to liven tonight's action."
Blanks frowned. "I don't think you should refer to my friends by their Christian names."
"Oh, la!" she exclaimed. "How many times have I told you that you mustn't think of me as a wife but as one of the bloods?"
His brows knitted together and a frown tugged at his mouth as they descended the stairs.
* * *
His wife had been right, Gregory reflected. Appleton and the twins had yet another prank to offer at the Assembly Rooms that night. Since Glee had insisted on a proper dinner before traveling to the Assembly Rooms, they did not arrive until the dancers repaired to the Tea Room at nine. And there, serving tea in costumed livery were his trio of friends. For all the world, they appeared to be taking their job most seriously. He looked at them, exchanged an amused glance with his wife, and they both burst out laughing.
Still laughing, Glee took his hand and walked toward the table where Appleton was serving. "We must let Timothy wait upon us," she said happily.
She and Gregory sat at a small table covered with a white cloth, and he made eye contact with Appleton. "What other manner of entertainment do you provide tonight?" Gregory asked his friend in voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Drink your tea, and you'll know," Appleton said with a wink.
Good heavens, did his friends think to render the assembly more jovial by adding spirits to the tea? Gregory picked up his cup and sipped. Very definitely strong arrack. Then, despite himself, Gregory smiled and drank up. "Perhaps you're not so thirsty," he said to his wife. It wouldn't do at all for Glee to get foxed. After all, she was George's little sister. And Gregory's wife.
Her eyes widened as she looked at him. "You think they've spiked the tea?" she whispered.
He nodded.
She smiled sheepishly. "What a devilishly clever thing to do!" She lifted her cup and drank. "I agree with your friends. These affairs are far too sober. What's needed is more gaiety."
To his consternation, Glee finished her cup and asked Melvin, when he visited their table, for another. Since Gregory had no doubt he could hold his liquor far better than his wife, he also allowed Melvin to pour him another cup.
Then Melvin rushed off to another table to serve more demanding patrons.
"You know, Blanks," Glee said, "You could never go undetected as your friends have."
"Why?"
"Because you're far too handsome. Your friends are, all of them, rather ordinary looking. But not you. All the women would be sure to remember you even if you were a servant."
He did not know how to take his wife's words. He'd been told since Oxford how agreeable women found his appearance, but Glee did not say she personally found his appearance agreeable. Fact was, she didn't think of him that way at all. He supposed she thought of him rather as she thought of George. Why, she hadn't even expressed one bit of outrage at the fact he had a mistress. She talked of Carlotta as one would speak of the village vicar. Which wasn't at all the thing.
Also, he did not like to hear praises for the appearance over which he had no control. "Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. I'm certain any number of women here would find my countenance quite ordinary." Which he knew from repeated experience was not at all truthful. "Besides, any number of p
eople here have recognized the twins. They may not know their names, but it's hard to go unnoticed when one stands next to one's exact likeness."
She swiftly finished her second cup of arrack tea. "If that's what you prefer to think, Blanksie."
Good heavens! His wife was getting foxed. He shouldn't have let her drink the wretched stuff. After all, she was far younger than he and not at all accustomed to drinking strong spirits. And knowing his friends, the arrack was the most potent available. He frowned at Elvin as he passed by with a tray of tea. The fellow was getting all too confident, balancing the tray on one hand.
Gregory had no sooner thought of Elvin's lack of skill when the fellow's tray went crashing down on the Dowager Countess Richdale, who leaped to her feet and began to scream.
Gregory turned his head to keep from laughing at the foul-mouthed dowager as she went chasing after the fleet-footed Elvin.
Glee was not so polite. She laughed out loud, then turned to him. "How I wish I'd thought to dress as a servant tonight!" How fun it must be."
"You, my dear wife, could hardly conceal your beauty."
She shot him a puzzled look, then smiled and cupped her hand against his cheek. "What a very sweet thing to say, Blanksie."
Good lord, but she really was foxed. It wouldn't do for her to dance, unless it were a waltz with her husband.
But after the refreshments, Glee expressed no interest in dancing but in playing cards instead—which was all very good with him.
He settled her at a whist table and went off to see if Elvin had come to harm at the hands of the irate dowager.
Since she was said to be skillful at cards, Glee had decided wagering on whist would be the method by which she would earn money to pay for her new gowns and see her clear until the next quarter.
She and her partner, a somewhat elderly man unknown to her, won the first hand, which apparently broke one of the gentlemen playing against her. He rose from the table and excused himself, saying it was growing late. It made her feel wretched to have taken the man's last sovereign.
The man was replaced by William Jefferson. Since her first assembly as a married lady, Blanks had warned Glee against fostering a friendship with the handsome bachelor. Blanks had even told her William Jefferson was not received in London. What could the man have possibly done to be cut in society? Color hiked up her cheeks. Of course, she knew what he had done! He had told her himself he had a thirst for married women. Mr. Jefferson must have dallied with the wife of a powerful man.
Well, he'll not use me in such a manner, she vowed. She would use him only to ignite Blanks's jealousy. For she knew where William Jefferson was concerned, Blanks must be jealous.
Their play continued for several hands. Blanks popped into the room to check on her several times, and each time he frowned at Jefferson.
As the play progressed, Glee's confidence in her skill diminished. She had lost twenty-five pounds. Any more losses, and she did not know what she would do.
The hour was growing late. Only half an hour until the Assembly Rooms closed at eleven. Perhaps Lady Luck would smile on her, and she could win back her twenty-five pounds. Such failure was totally alien to her.
When the next hand was dealt and she picked up her cards, her heart fell. Her whole body tensed. She was not strong in any suit and would never be able to win this hand.
With trembling hands and sinking stomach, she played out the hand. Jefferson won and, with a sly smile on his face, he scooped up his winnings.
"I shall have to owe you the remainder, Mr. Jefferson," she said timidly after the other two players had retreated from the cloth-covered table.
His eyes swept over her and settled on her face. "Then I'll just take your earrings to secure payment," he said blandly.
She thought she had never seen a colder man. "But. . ." How could she give him the earrings her beloved Blanks had just bestowed on her that night?
"You'll get them back," he assured. "I'll receive my payment. All that I desire is a kiss from you, and I mean to have it."
He made it sound so simple. Merely kiss him, and she would have her earrings back. But she didn't want to kiss him. She didn't want to ever kiss anyone except Blanks. Surely she could think of a chaste manner in which to comply with Mr. Jefferson's demand.
"I would rather wait until the next quarter and pay you back real money—with interest," she whispered.
"Since I'm the one owed, I'm the one to dictate terms," he said harshly, then gave her a sinister smile.
"It appears I'm at your mercy, Mr. Jefferson." She stood up, removed her earrings and tossed them on the table, then swept from the room.
Chapter 14
Why had he let that red-headed pixie talk him into marriage, Gregory lamented as he sat waiting for Glee to come down to breakfast. He picked up the spoon and began to stir—for the twelfth time—his now-cold tea. He had already been there half an hour, angrily drumming his fingers into the linen tablecloth. He'd had nothing but aggravation since his marriage, a marriage Glee had once made sound so wretchedly simple. And it was anything but. In fact, he could not remember ever being more vexed in his entire life. Not even with Aurora.
The trouble with having a wife meant you were completely responsible for them. He had never been responsible for anything in his four-and-twenty years, not even his errant self. And now he was being charged with the impossible task of reining in his hopelessly irresponsible and irrepressible wife.
Vexing him at every turn, the chit needed a sound spanking like a child. But he was not the one to administer it. He still felt too guilty over robbing Glee of the normal marriage he knew she truly wanted.
But, sweet heaven, she could try his patience! First, his vexatious wife had caused his blood to boil with that scandalous red dress. One as lovely as Glee need hardly resort to outrageousness to draw attention. As her husband, he quite naturally had to keep a careful watch over her to prevent scoundrels from taking advantage of her when she wore that deuced red dress.
Then there was her propensity to address his friends by their Christian names. Anyone would think they were on very familiar terms, which scorched his temper.
And he didn't above half like his wife dancing or playing cards with the devil incarnate, William Jefferson.
Then, there was the maddening business about that damned conveyance. Gregory fumed over his wife's purchase of the phaeton. The purchase itself was innocent enough. He would never begrudge her anything because of mere money. But the idea of her flying through Bath flicking the ribbons and driving like a man fairly irked him. Especially when he pictured her doing so in the scarlet dress! Yesterday, he had been too angry to even bring up the matter of the phaeton, but he would have to broach the subject today.
Summoning the most fury in him, however, was the absence of the diamond earrings he had given to her the night before. He knew without a doubt she had worn them to the assembly, and he was certain she had not worn them home. How could one lose two earrings? He was rather convinced one couldn't.
Then what did happen to them? Had she found them so unacceptable that she had removed them rather than be seen in them? Or had she given them away out of displeasure? Surely she hadn't lost them at whist.
Whatever the reason they had gone missing, he was deuced low over their loss. By Jove, he had put himself out on her account. He had made a not insignificant purchase and had been rather pleased with himself over his thoughtful action.
Nothing would please him more than demanding an explanation from Glee. But he hated the man he was becoming and vowed to be patient. He shouldn’t like to confirm Glee's charges that he was an ogre. Perhaps she would wear the earrings again. He would give it a fortnight before he would demand an accounting.
He stretched his arms over his head and yawned. A pity he had awakened so deuced early. Were he still a bachelor, he would be comfortably snoring away in his chamber right now. But since marrying the exasperating Glee, he had not been able to sleep until afternoo
n on a single occasion.
As Glee jauntily sauntered into the morning room, where their breakfast table was set up, Gregory glared at his wife.
"A lovely day, is it not?" she cheerfully asked. She went first to the windows and drew open the green silk draperies, flooding the room with light. Then she stopped and closed a hand over his shoulder, her brows lowered in concern. "Are you quite well this morning, Blanks?"
His brows pinched together, Gregory scowled up at her. "Is there some reason why I shouldn't be?" he demanded.
She drew tea from a sterling urn and sat down next to him. "Of course not."
"Correct me if I'm wrong," he said in a level voice, "but it was my understanding that husbands and wives communicated to one another."
She smiled at him. "Oh, they do, Blanks! I'm so grateful you understand that. Is there something about which you want to communicate with me?"
He must repress his urge to strangle her. "There is." He glared at her. How sweet she looked this morning in her muted turquoise morning dress of soft muslin. Like a girl, really. Why couldn't she dress so sweetly all the time? What was this penchant she seemed to have developed for wearing scarlet? And black?
She smiled up at him innocently and set down the knife she was using to slather her toast with jelly.
"You haven't mentioned to me a rather significant purchase you made yesterday," he began.
Her brows plunged while she thought. "Oh! The phaeton! Should you like to see it?"
"I have."
Her eyes rounded, and her uplifted lips fell. "You're not happy with it? Timothy assured me it was of very fine quality."
He continued to glare at her. "Why didn't you discuss the purchase with me first?"
"You're jealous of Timothy?" she said with a pout.
He scowled. "Oh course I'm not jealous of Timothy, er, Appleton."
"Then why do you act so angry?"
"I'm angry that you bought a phaeton without discussing it first with your husband."
"But you said you weren't to really be a husband, so I thought not to bother you with such unimportant matters."