by Cheryl Bolen
He wanted Glee. And he would never take her.
Chapter 19
As much as she loved her sister, Glee was glad Felicity was so much in her husband's pocket. For Glee had most enthusiastically abandoned her former ways and embraced the notion of being one of the bucks. Making the rounds of the milliners and mantua makers and linen drapers with her perfectly feminine sister now seemed as dull as watching grass grow.
'Twas much more fun to accompany Blanks and his friends, to fly through town on her phaeton and to dress shockingly at the Pump Room.
Her shiny red phaeton gave her no end of pleasure. Though it had been her fondest hope to be "the woman in red," Blanks had forbidden her to wear the shocking red gown when driving in the equally shocking scarlet phaeton. So today she wore black. Not the modest dress of one in mourning, but a sensational one that allowed great expanses of her chalk-white skin to show.
Driving on the Pulteney Bridge, she came abreast of Appleton and brought her rig to a stop. "Would you care to race?" she challenged, shooting a smile at him.
His brows drew together. "Don't think Blanks would like it above half, Pix."
"La! I allow him complete liberty and he reciprocates."
Appleton's eyes shifted. "You wouldn't careen through the streets of Bath?"
"Heavens no! I would never forgive myself if someone were to get hurt. I was thinking about the road from here to Winston Hall."
Appleton bit his lip as he nodded. "Very well."
"Shall we wager?" she asked, a hopeful smile lighting her face.
He shook his head emphatically. "I refuse to take your money. Besides, I know for a fact, Blanks don't hold with you wagering."
"But my dear Timothy, Blanks need not know everything."
"I ain't going to let you win the race, and I ain't going to take your money."
She pouted. "Blanks does say how talented a driver you are. Four-in-Hand Club and all that. At all events, the race will be good experience for me. Shall we go?" She actually stood up, the reins drawn into her gloved hands.
"You first," he said.
With a flick of the crop, she was off.
He followed, and soon passed her. Which fired her fury. Her horse was capable of going as fast as his. And her rig was just as well made as his. She did not like being left behind by him. She flicked the ribbons and brought down the crop on the chestnut's flank. It spurred ahead and came parallel with Appleton's phaeton and a length behind his gray.
Appleton turned to look at Glee with a devilish grin.
Her hair had come unfastened and streaked behind her like a flapping flag in all its coppery glory. She grew simultaneously hot, then cold and wished for her cloak while alternately happy that she wore none.
He pulled away again, and she furiously flicked the ribbons, which resulted in her gaining distance. But not enough. She lagged two lengths behind.
The passing scenery blurred by. Woods and cottages and lanes disappeared soon after they came into her vision. On foot, the distance between Bath and Winston Hall seemed so very long. Even in a carriage it had. But in a racing phaeton, the trip whisked by.
Appleton came to a stop at the avenue that led to Winston Hall. A few seconds later, Glee pulled up. "How fortunate that you did not allow me to wager," she said in gasping breaths.
He ran a hand through his windblown hair and chuckled. "You did admirably. Now, should you like to call on your sister?"
Realizing how disgraceful she must look with her hair flying loose, she said, "I think not. My sister would likely not countenance such an action as I've just taken part in. She's a bit old-fashioned, you know."
"Then canter back to Town with me. We can plot our scheme for tonight's assembly."
She and Appleton conspired throughout their trip back to Bath and parted near the Abbey, their plans for the evening finalized. It had been decided that Appleton would write the notes, for Glee feared Miss Aggremont would recognize her handwriting from the many times she had signed the book at the Aggremont's residence.
She had just started down Milsom Street when a man in brown began waving at her. On closer examination, she realized the man was Mr. Jefferson. She stiffened as she tugged the reins.
Her phaeton had not come to a complete stop, but it had slowed enough for him to grab on and hoist himself up onto the seat beside her.
She flicked him an angry glance. "I don't recall inviting you, Mr. Jefferson."
"Be that as it may, I wanted to see you this morning. I've just left the Pump Room, where I was most disappointed not to find you."
Her head held high, she continued driving down Milsom Street. "Surely you could not have expected me to kiss you in the Pump Room?"
"No, not there. Please turn around to Sydney Gardens. There is a small grove there where we can perform the deed."
Her hands began to tremble. "I will not!"
"If you hope to regain possession of your earrings, you will do as I say."
She gritted her teeth. "You really are odious!"
"I only wish to return the earrings to their rightful owner."
She drove on in silence for several minutes. Perhaps she should go to Sydney Gardens with him. If he was correct about kissing her in a place where they wouldn't be seen. . ."If I should be persuaded to go to Sydney Gardens and allow you to. . .to kiss me, will you then return my earrings?"
"Of course."
"And you promise not to tell anyone about the kiss?"
"On my honor as a gentleman."
"Methinks you are not a gentleman or else you would not have taken my jewels." She rounded a corner and directed the phaeton back down Gay Street, toward Sydney Gardens.
"If it comes between honor and my desire for you, Mrs. Blankenship, then I am no gentleman."
Her eyes widened. "Just as I thought! How do I know I'll get back my earrings?"
"I'm rather afraid you'll have to trust me."
"Perhaps I'll tell my husband to fetch the earrings, after all."
"And have him think you gave me the diamonds as a lover's gift?"
She turned to look at him through narrowed eyes. "My husband would never believe that."
"It would be your word against mine. Don't forget, I have the earrings and you don't."
Blanks would know of the man's dishonesty, but she dared leave nothing to chance. Her position as Blanks's wife was far too precarious. "I've decided to give you one kiss." Her heart drummed madly. What if he tried to kiss her with open mouth? Or worse. What if he. . .tried to take liberties with her body? She would make sure they were far enough away from the crowds that they wouldn't be seen when they kissed, but not far enough away that her screams could not be heard if he proved to be untrustworthy.
During the ten-minute drive to Sydney Gardens, her hands trembled and she shivered. The sun that had earlier negated a need for a cloak now hid behind gloomy clouds. How she wished for a cloak! It could have served another purpose, besides warming her. It could have covered her daring décolletage from the wicked Mr. Jefferson's hungry gaze. For the man would not remove his eyes from her. When she chanced a glimpse at him, the hunger in his eyes terrified her. If only Blanks would look at her like that!
Because the sun had all but vanished, few people milled about the criss-cross paths of the park when she crossed the fields that were beginning to turn green. She turned on to the bridal path. She had never before noticed there was a wooded area that sloped away from the rest of the park. It was truly a place where they would not be seen.
She fervently hoped no one saw her. Her hair still hung loose. Vast amounts of her skin were exposed. And she was alone with a man who was not her husband. Not a proper picture at all. To make matters worse, she was riding in a scarlet phaeton that was sure to attract attention. If she could only get through the next few minutes, she would take care to amend her wayward ways. As much as Blanks liked racy women, he was sure to fume over her scandalous behavior.
Despite the chill which sent goose
bumps down her back and arms, her cheeks grew hot as she turned down the lane to the thicket of trees.
Then she felt it. The scoundrel had the nerve to lay his warm hand on her exposed shoulder!
She swatted it. "How dare you! Your handling of me, sir, was no part of our bargain."
"Forgive me. I couldn't resist. You're so lovely."
She spun around to face him, her eyes shooting daggers. "And so taken," she quipped.
"Ah, yes, Blankenship."
Now they were surrounded by trees on either side of them. Only the road behind them was exposed to the park. She came to a stop and turned to him, her shaking hands still gripping the reins. "Kiss me, quick."
He scooted even closer to her and drew her to him even as she tried to push away.
"I can't kiss you properly if you won't cooperate," he snapped.
"I am cooperating, I just won't have your arms around me."
"But, my dear, that's all part of kissing. Has your husband taught you nothing?"
"My husband, if you must know, is an excellent teacher." Then, still gripping the reins, she went flying into his arms and lifted her face to his for a kiss.
She thought she would cast up her accounts when she felt the heat of his lips come down on hers. She silently counted to ten—most rapidly7—then pushed him away just as he was attempting to open her mouth with his tongue. "That's quite enough!" she shrieked as she stood up, took her crop and swatted her chestnut, pulling the reins to turn the phaeton back to the park.
* * *
Gregory was leaving his solicitor's on horseback when, from the corner of his eye, he saw a bright red phaeton whisk down Gay Street. And sitting next to his wife was a man who looked dangerously like Jefferson. There was nothing for him to do but to follow. Thoughts of poor Miss Douglas's fate at Jefferson's hands choked Gregory with fear. Not Glee. Not his sweet, innocent Glee.
As he drew closer he was able to confirm that it was, indeed, Jefferson who sat beside Glee. And she looked as if she had just taken a tumble in the hay. If it had been any other woman, he would feel sure that's what had just occurred. But not Glee. She wouldn't ever. . .She had promised. His chest tightened and he began to tremble.
He'd not felt such a retching feeling in the pit of his stomach since his father died. And he had only himself to blame. If only he had exposed Jefferson over the business with Miss Douglas, but he'd been too sensitive to the woman's reputation. A mere cut by London society had done little to suppress Jefferson's wanton ways. Gregory also felt guilty that he'd given Glee so little affection that she was forced to seek it from a man of Jefferson's ilk.
He cursed the day he had agreed to marry her, but he knew he would never have been able to stand by and allow Jefferson to take liberties with the girl. Whether she was his wife or not, he would have cared.
When he saw her phaeton disappear into the woods, he was prepared to intercede. Roiling, blinding anger swept over him and filled him with rage as he spurred forward with life-or-death speed. Then he saw Jefferson lay a hand on Glee's bare shoulder, and he grew sickened. And so full of loathing he wanted to kill William Jefferson. He jabbed his booted feet into his mount and cursed it to go faster.
His heart pounded and his head swam as he watched Glee's phaeton roll to a stop. Then Jefferson pulled Glee into his embrace and kissed her.
Spurring his mount to a sprint, Gregory came to a sudden stop at what he witnessed next. Glee stood up, took the reins and turned around, leaving the thicket with blinding speed.
Not wishing to be caught following her, Gregory slipped in between some tall yews until Glee was out of sight. He was still trembling all over and in quandary as to what to think. His wife had clearly kissed Jefferson. Then it appeared she had pushed him away and hastened to get back to safer ground. What was going on?
He sat there on his mount for several minutes, his head buried in his shaking hands. So this wretchedness was what being married had brought him. Hang it all! He had a good mind to get foxed.
* * *
Glee grew worried when Blanks had not returned home in time to go to the assembly. She fought the urge to send notes around to Timothy and the twins, inquiring about her husband. After all, she had promised Blanks their marriage would not prevent him from doing exactly as he had done before their marriage.
She hated going off to the assembly without knowing if Blanks had come to harm, but Felicity and Thomas had planned to collect her—and Blanks—in their carriage. She could not allow Felicity to know of her worry or to know how powerless of a wife she was. There was nothing for it but to ride along with Felicity and Thomas and pretend to be happy.
Her decision made, she called for Patty to assist her in getting ready for the ball. "We must make haste," Glee urged. "Felicity will be here any minute."
Feeling a curious mixture of anger and anxiety over Blanks, Glee ordered Patty to fetch the red dress. She had no sooner put it on when Hampton—from the other side of the chamber door—announced that Mr. and Mrs. Moreland had arrived and were ready to go to the assembly.
Patty fastened a red plume in Glee's hair, then Glee, without taking even a glance in her mirror, was out the door and hurrying down the stairs.
Felicity, wearing a sky blue gown and a scowl on her face, watched as Glee came down the stairway. Glee had unconsciously worn the dress to get back at Blanks but had quite forgotten that her sister was sure to disapprove of so daring a gown.
"Oh dear," Felicity said, "Blanks will allow you to wear that?"
"The thing of it is Blanks is not here so he cannot object," Glee said cheerfully, taking a shawl Hampton proffered and wrapping it around her shoulders.
"Where is our brother tonight?" Felicity asked. "I thought he was going to accompany us."
Oh dear, what would she tell them? Were she to say she did not precisely know where he was, Felicity would think it odd for a new bride to be so ignorant of her husband's whereabouts. Glee chose to avoid a direct answer. "I'm sure he'll join us when he finishes." She only hoped Felicity did not ask what Blanks needed to finish doing.
Felicity's good breeding prevented her from further inquiry. "Then I'm glad we decided to fetch you, for I wouldn't like going to our first assembly back in Bath and not have you for company, pet."
Glee slipped her arm into her sister's and walked with her to the front door. "I assure you I wouldn't care to miss tonight's assembly. Blanks's chums have planned some rather lively activity."
In the carriage, Glee enlightened Felicity and Thomas on the twins's and Appleton's lark at the last assembly but did not reveal what tonight's prank was.
When they arrived at the assembly, Glee's heart sank to see that Appleton and the twins were there. Without Blanks. She had assured herself he was with them. If he was not with them, where was he? Her heart thudded and her stomach dropped. Was he with another woman? With Carlotta?
She was happy for the opportunity to dance the first set with Appleton. Though he rarely danced, his gallantry induced him to step in for his missing friend. "I say, where's Blanks tonight?" he asked as they strolled onto the dance floor.
"That's what I was going to ask you. Have you not seen him this evening?"
He shook his head.
"Then I'm not precisely sure where he is. I daresay he'll show presently."
"I'm sure you're right."
As they left the dance floor at the end of the set, she saw Blanks. Though he appeared in formal dress and looked devilishly handsome, she could tell instantly he was in his cups.
And blazing anger flashed in his eyes when he met her gaze.
Chapter 20
Appleton guided Glee directly to her husband. "Just filling in 'till you got here, old fellow," he said to Blanks as he handed Glee over.
Blanks ignored his friend and addressed Glee. "You are to dance with no one but me, madam," he said with barely controlled anger, his speech altered by the drink Glee smelled on his lips.
Glee and Appleton exchanged puz
zled glances, then she took both of Blanks's hands. "I shall be delighted to dance with you, dearest. I've been so terribly worried about you."
Their further conversation was prevented by the appearance of Felicity and Thomas. "Good to see you, Blankenship," Thomas said.
Felicity presented her hand to Blanks, and he obliged by pressing his lips to it but gave her no greeting.
Glee's pulse raced as she watched her husband. His perpetual smile was absent and his eyes smoldered with fury. He left little doubt that he was angry with her, but she had no inkling what she had done to provoke such anger. "Come, dearest," she said, linking her arm through his, "let's take a turn about The Octagon so you can tell me all about your meeting with Mr. Willowby today."
"And you, my dear," he said mean-spiritedly, "can enlighten me about your day."
She continued to hold his hand as they pressed through the throng of carefree merrymakers in silken finery. Then they came upon William Jefferson, who presented her, then Blanks, with a wicked smile.
Blanks shocked Glee by barking, "A private word with you, Jefferson."
Jefferson's black eyes danced. "At your service, my good man."
Glee squeezed Blanks's hand as they continued toward The Octagon, Jefferson following on their heels. When they reached The Octagon, Blanks disengaged his hand from hers. "What I have to say to your . . .friend is nothing a lady should hear."
It was as if she had suffered a sudden thrust of knife. Blanks knows about the kiss. She began to tremble. "I beg to be allowed to stay, for I fear your conversation will not be without reference to me."
Blanks's lips twisted into a cynical smile. "Suit yourself, madam."
She hated to hear herself so curtly addressed.
They entered the dimly lit Octagon but were not alone. A number of couples strolled the perimeter of the gallery room. Glee followed Blanks to the center of the chamber, where he came to a stop and faced Jefferson with a murderous glare. "I don't choose to tread on my wife's reputation," Blanks slurred, "but I give you warning that if you ever again seek to dance with my wife or to see her in private, I will call you out."