Cast in Ruin

by Laura Landon

  He relaxed back in his chair and studied her. The expression on his face was the same expression she saw on her sisters’ faces when they were attempting to solve an equation their governess had given them…and they couldn’t figure out what to do. Her heart sank in her breast.

  “Are you disappointed, my lord?”

  “Benjamin. I prefer you call me Benjamin. Or Ben.”

  She nodded. “Are you disappointed, Benjamin?”

  He slid his plate away from him and braced his forearms on the table. Then he leaned forward. “I will tell you something, wife. Father and I also celebrated when the Treaty of Paris was signed. I happened to be in the country with Father at the time, and Father, too, was a little tipsy. I, however, managed to get quite inebriated.”

  Her heart swelled in her breast. She couldn’t believe there was the possibility that she may have met someone with similar interests. His next statement brought things back into perspective.

  “But, I also mourned the fire that destroyed the Covent Garden Theatre that same month. Its loss was especially personal for me. And on that occasion, I can assure you that I got roaring drunk.”

  With that remark, he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “With that bit of insight, I think we’ll end our newsworthy morning conversation. I’m going to take a tour of the house we’ve been given. Would you care to accompany me? Or would you like to investigate the house on your own?”

  “I’d like to accompany you, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. I told Henley I’d need him when I finished eating. He should be waiting.”

  He held out his hand for her to take, and together they exited the dining room, then followed the butler through the house.

  The first room Henley opened for them was a large drawing room on the north side of the ground floor. It was beautifully furnished in a color scheme of bright greens and yellows. It was a cheery and welcoming room. Further down the hall there were several smaller rooms that were more intimate. Rachael imagined some former owner had used these rooms when guests had come to call. Given her rejection by Society, she didn’t expect she’d have need of them often―if at all.

  There was also a masculine study with a large oak desk set out from the wall opposite the entrance. There were two large windows behind the desk to let in bright morning light. She could envision her husband seated there working on ledgers, or answering correspondence.

  On the ground floor at the back of the house Henley revealed a massive ballroom. The room was decorated in gold and soft pastels. Rachael was in love with the room the moment she stood at the top of the stairs that descended to the ballroom floor.

  The back of the ballroom was lined with several tall, multi-paned French doors that opened onto a wide terrace. Henley opened the doors and they stepped outside.

  A waist high balustrade surrounded the terrace on three sides, with openings placed in appropriate spots, and four steps that led down into a lovely back garden.

  It was late April and the flowers were just beginning to bloom. Beds of roses and azaleas and rhododendrons dotted the landscape. “It’s beautiful,” she said, lifting her gaze to look into his face.

  “Which part?” he asked. “The flowers? The garden? The house?”

  “All of it.” Her eyes watered and she couldn’t stop the wetness from spilling down her cheeks. “All of it,” she repeated. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered reverently as she brushed away the tears. “Perfect.”

  “Then you’re not disappointed?”

  “Oh, no.” She turned her gaze to encompass the garden as well as the house. “How could anyone be disappointed in a house and a garden so beautiful?”

  They continued their tour of the rest of the house, and with each room they entered, Rachael fell more in love with her home. She never thought she’d have anything so magnificent. In fact, she never thought she’d have a home of her own. She didn’t think she’d have a husband who would provide her with one.

  She nearly skipped ahead to see what wonder was hidden behind the next door Henley would open for them. When she turned to wait for her husband to catch up with her, she saw a smile on his face.

  Her heart leaped in her breast.

  . . .

  Her first day in her new home had been perfect. She’d spent the morning with Benjamin, then met with Cook, the housekeeper, Mrs. Breton, and Henley in the afternoon to discuss the running of the house. If the Duke of Townsend had seen to the hiring of the staff, his choices had been perfect, and his instructions made it impossible for her to find a complaint with any of them.

  After a light lunch, she’d rested a while then dressed for dinner. This was her first formal meal in her new home and she wanted to look her best.

  Milly took extra care dressing her, and when she met with her maid’s approval, she went down to meet her husband.

  He’d dressed, too, and the sight of him in formal attire stole her breath. The only word she could use to describe him was beautiful.

  “You look lovely,” he said, when she came down the stairs.

  Rachael accepted his compliment because it was the polite thing to say. But she knew he was referring to the way she looked in her gown, rather than her physical features. Her father had often made the same comment, but the minute she arrived at the ball to which they were going, the sight of the other debutantes there turned her father’s words into anything but the truth.

  “And you look very handsome. But since we both have mirrors in our rooms, we’re aware of our attributes, or lack thereof.”

  Her husband’s eyebrows rose at her statement, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he led her into the formal dining room and seated her at the table.

  The meal was delicious, the conversation cordial, and her wine glass was never empty. Perhaps her husband had given orders to keep their glasses filled, but she wasn’t going to complain. She needed the soothing numbness the excellent wine provided to calm her nerves for what was going to happen later that night. When she would become Benjamin’s wife in the true sense of the word.

  When they were finished with their meal, she left her husband and went to her suite of rooms. Milly helped her dress for bed, then she sat in a chair near the fire and waited for him to come.

  It wouldn’t be long now. At least he’d given her last night to take in everything that had happened: her engagement to a total stranger, her marriage, leaving her family, moving into a strange home, and having a new husband. She sat in the chair and waited for this next event to take place―the act that would make her his.

  She heard his footsteps as he came up the stairs. Heard him speak to his valet, Morgan, as he helped him from his clothes, and got him ready to come to her. Then, she heard the door close when Morgan left the room, and she knew it wouldn’t be long now.

  She sat in the chair with her hands clutched tightly in her lap and waited.

  She wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t ignorant of what would happen. She knew all too well what to expect. The emotion she felt was…sadness.

  She knew it was silly to feel this way, but for eighteen months she’d lived with memories of the perfect night in the arms of her lover in the fox mask. That night had been perfection. Now, that perfection would be erased, and her husband would leave his mark on her flesh…and on her soul.

  She breathed in a sigh when the door that separated her suite of rooms from her husband’s opened and he was there.

  “Is everything to your satisfaction, Rachael?” he said as he came near her.

  “Yes, my— …Benjamin.”

  “Good.”

  He extended his arm and she placed her hand in his. He wrapped his fingers around hers and helped her to her feet.

  She stood before him and lifted her gaze to focus on him. She wanted him to know she wasn’t afraid. She wanted him to know that she was giving herself to him willingly.

  With the gentlest touch, he placed his palms on either side of her face and studied her. Then, without speaking,
he lowered his head and placed his lips atop hers.

  His kiss was a gentle introduction. His touch was tender, not meant to frighten her, or intimidate her. But to familiarize her with his lovemaking.

  She appreciated his kindness and answered by responding as enthusiastically as she could.

  He was an expert in the art of kissing and she soon found the fullness that shifted inside her chest had turned to a swirling eddy.

  He continued to kiss her, each encounter lasting longer, then his mouth opened and his tongue slid between her lips.

  The feel of him inside her caused a maelstrom of emotions to erupt through her entire body.

  She skimmed her hands up his chest, then wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.

  Again and again he kissed her. Each kiss more intense. Each mating of their tongues more powerful.

  His hands skimmed over her body, then the satin robe she wore loosened and slid to the floor.

  He placed her on the bed, then came down over her.

  His lovemaking was gentle, thorough. Before Rachael could hold on to the memories of the night in the masked stranger’s arms, her recollection of what they’d shared faded.

  The man she’d taken as her husband elevated her to the same heights. Soared with her above the stratosphere. Carried her to the same dizzying realms. Then guided her as they circled through blazing starbursts of a thousand bursting fireworks.

  The experience was extraordinary. It was remarkable. It was as perfect as it had been that first time. More perfect.

  He shuddered atop her, then rolled to his side. But he kept her in his arms.

  “Do you want me to leave?” he asked when their breathing had calmed.

  She burrowed closer to him. She wrapped her arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “No, husband. You are where you belong.”

  And they slept.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  By its very definition, a surprise is something unexpected. That’s what Ben thought he might have received when his father had blackmailed him into marrying the Earl of Kendrick’s daughter. He’d anticipated—had even expected—that because of the scandal in which she’d been involved, that he would find her lacking. That she would be a castoff that Society had found unacceptable. That there was something wrong with her and no one wanted her.

  Instead, the woman he’d taken as his wife was intelligent, and interesting to talk to. She had a pleasant demeanor, and even joked with him on occasion.

  She was eager to hear his plans for the future, and offered advice when she had something constructive to add. She was interested in hearing what foods he liked, and what he didn’t. Asked if he enjoyed the theater or the opera. Wanted to know if he liked music, and if he played the pianoforte. There wasn’t anything she wasn’t interested in discovering about him. Or he about her. Surprisingly, he enjoyed being with her. And most surprising of all, he found he enjoyed being married. He especially enjoyed their nights together.

  In the eight days since they’d married, she’d been the perfect wife. Since they’d taken up residence, she’d gotten to know each of their staff personally, and they already loved and respected her. She’d changed each room in their house just enough so that it was a bright and inviting place to spend their hours together. Most remarkable was that in the few days they’d resided here, she’d turned their house into a home.

  Ben sat at the breakfast table, waiting for her to come down. Breakfasts had become his favorite part of the day. Next to nights after they went to bed together. And this morning he had something special to talk to her about.

  He stood when she entered the room and smiled. “Good morning,” he greeted, then pulled out her chair.

  “Good morning,” she answered.

  He still filled her plate, partly because he didn’t mind doing it. But mostly because of the smile she gave him when he placed the plate in front of her. She didn’t disappoint him this morning, either.

  “You have a letter,” he said, handing it to her. She opened it and smiled brighter. “It’s from Emily and Portence. They want to know if it would be convenient to call tomorrow afternoon.” She lifted her gaze. “Do you mind?”

  “Of course I don’t mind. They’re your friends. They’re welcome anytime.”

  Her excitement was fun to watch. “Oh, thank you. I’ll answer them straightaway and tell them they’ll be welcome.”

  He set down his fork and studied the relief he saw on her face. “Did you think I’d refuse to allow your friends to visit you?”

  She lowered her head and concentrated on cutting her bacon. “No, and I doubt I would have obeyed you if you had. But I thought asking you would make you feel…”

  “Feel, what?”

  She tried to hide a giggle. “In control,” she said on a laugh.

  “You think I need to feel in control?”

  “I think every husband needs to feel that he is master in his own home.”

  “And who gave you that piece of advice? Your mother?”

  She shook her head. “No. My father. Before we married. He gave me several pieces of advice. He said a husband always wants to think he has the upper hand with his wife. He said that you’d find out soon enough that you don’t.”

  And then she did more than giggle. She laughed outright.

  “Remind me to have a discussion with your father about that.”

  “He’ll tell you the same thing. Why don’t you ask your father if your mother allowed him to think he was in control?”

  Ben’s heart skipped a beat and his blood turned cold.

  “What is it?” Rachael asked.

  He shook his head. “Nothing. I prefer we don’t discuss my mother.”

  The frown on her face told him she wouldn’t ask him any more about his mother. Not now anyway. But knowing her as much as he already did, he knew his comments wouldn’t be forgotten. She’d bring up his mother in the future. He hurried to change the topic.

  He held up another letter. “You weren’t the only one who received a personal note.”

  “Oh,” she said. “And are you going to share its contents with me?”

  “Yes,” he said, opening the message. “It’s from my sisters, Winnifred and Anne. They arrived in London yesterday with Father, and have written to inform me that they will be dropping by this afternoon.”

  “Wonderful,” she said. “I look forward to getting to know your sisters better, and having them get to know me.” Her face brightened. “Would you mind if I invited my sisters to come, too? They are all about the same age and I’m sure if they got to know each other they’d become fast friends.”

  “Are you asking because you want me to feel as if I have a say in the matter?”

  “Yes. And, no. I want your opinion on this. Do you think it might be a good thing to allow our families to become friends?”

  He reached over and placed his hand atop hers. “I think it would be a very good thing. By all means, invite them.”

  “And will you be here?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. It will be the first opportunity our families have to decide how we are getting along. You don’t really think my sisters want to visit because they’ve missed me?”

  “I suppose they are interested in how we are tolerating each other.”

  “As is the rest of Society,” he said. Then he picked up an invitation he was sure she wouldn’t be excited about. “We also received our first invitations this morning,” he said, placing the invitations on the table beside her. Her smile died.

  “Who has invited us?” she asked without enthusiasm.

  “Lady Withering is holding her annual ball Wednesday next and has asked that we attend. And Lady Comfrey has invited us for the following Tuesday.”

  Ben watched her. She continued to look as if she were eating, but he noticed none of the food went to her mouth. She only moved it around on her plate.

  “And you would like for us to attend?” she ask
ed.

  “I wouldn’t like for us to go. I have already decided that we will go. I only need you to answer that you are in agreement.”

  “And if I decline?”

  “This isn’t one of those times where you allow me to pretend I’m in control. It’s an instance where I am in control, and my decision will stand.”

  Ben lifted his fork and stabbed at the remaining food on his plate. He knew she didn’t want to go to Lady Withering’s ball, nor to Lady Comfrey’s. But they didn’t have a choice. She couldn’t avoid stepping back into Society forever. She had to stand up to the people who’d turned their backs on her after the scandal. If she didn’t, she’d never be accepted. Neither would he. They’d never be allowed to take their place if they didn’t face her accusers and best them. And Ben had no intention of living the life of an outcast.

  For the first time since they married, they ate their breakfast in silence. When he finished, he made his excuses, then went to his study, more to escape the uncomfortable silence between them than because he had anything pressing to take care of.

  Rachael followed shortly after and went to the room that had turned into the place she spent most of her private time. No doubt she’d write their sisters and invite them for tea this afternoon. Then, hopefully, she’d reply to Lady Withering and Lady Comfrey, to accept their invitations.

  He wanted to assure her that she didn’t have anything to fear when they attended their first ball. That he’d be at her side and would make sure nothing happened to embarrass her. But he didn’t. He’d already assured her that he wouldn’t abandon her to the wolves. He wanted her to know he intended to keep his word. He wanted her to learn that she could trust him.

  She had a week to accustom herself to the idea of stepping back into Society. And things would go better after their first outing.

  He intended to make sure it did.

  CHAPTER EIGHT