A flash of light blue caught his eye as his wife lightly curtsied to some pop-n-jay dressed in a red jacket and black pantaloons. The man looked like a buffoon.
His heart jumped when the man bent over her hand and raised it to brush a kiss across her knuckles. Alexander felt his blood rise and his hands clench into fists.
Grinding his teeth, he watched her step onto the dance floor with the Pop-n-jay. This was her third dance. The first two, however, had been with Somerset and the Sergeant Major. Those he could allow. They were almost family after all.
But this. No.
“Hold,” The Duke of Bathurst said as he placed a restraining hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “Don’t embarrass her.”
The Viscount shot his former commanding officer a questioning look.
The older man laughed. “Let her have her fun. Dance, and laugh. Remember. It’s your bed she is going home too.”
Alexander tried to take a calming breath. The Duke was right. Caroline deserved a night of fun. He still couldn’t believe he had forgotten to send an announcement to the Times. See, this was why men shouldn’t get married.
“Besides,” the Duke continued. “That is Lord Towers. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about. He hasn’t been with a woman since he left his wet nurse.”
Alexander relaxed and watched his wife dance. She moved gracefully. Dipped and twirled at all the right moments. Towers laughed at something she said making Alexander swallow a curse.
As the music ended, Alexander turned to the Duke.
“Excuse me, Your Grace. I believe I see a young woman in need of my attention.”
The Duke laughed and patted him on the back. As if sending him into the boxing ring.
Alexander focused on his wife as he made his way across the room. She was surrounded by men. Too many men.
Stopping before her, he noticed a becoming pink flush to her cheeks. Was that because of the warm room or all of the male attention she was receiving?
Without thinking, his face fell into a deep scowl as he looked at her admirers. He wanted them to get the message. There would be no mistakes in the matter.
True. The arrangement between he and Caroline allowed for her to have lovers. That didn’t mean he couldn’t discourage any man thinking her husband was amiable to the issue.
Her eyes came alight as she looked up at him. His heart jumped. The woman was a Venus coming out of her shell. A Diana leaping through the forest never looked so lovely.
He nodded his head and held out his hand. “A dance my dear?” he asked.
Her smile grew as she took his hand. Excusing herself from her many admirers she joined him on the dance floor. When the band began the first notes of a waltz though, she balked.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
He laughed inside. She was so worried about being found inadequate by the ladies of the ton. The last thing she wanted was to be seen dancing the waltz.
“We are married my dear. It is perfectly acceptable for a wife to dance the waltz with her husband. See, Lady Arabella has roped Lord Somerset into a turn.”
Caroline glanced across the room and saw her new friend place a hand on her husband’s shoulder. She relaxed and hesitantly mimicked the other countess’s movements.
“I have never danced a waltz,” she whispered.
“That is perfectly understandable,” he said. “Follow my lead. You will do fine.” Before she could question him further, he stepped off into the dance.
He watched her as she bit her lip, concentrating. Silently counting the steps in her head. Fighting to ensure she didn’t make a mistake. The woman was grace personified, he thought. She couldn’t make a mistake. She never made mistakes. Whether it was creating a home, dealing with the ladies of the ton, or caring for others. Everything this woman gently touched seemed to be perfect.
He turned her around the room. Feeling her slowly relax in his arms. He pulled her closer. Her warmth and enticing scent of lavender and roses sent a thrill through his soul.
She looked up as he turned her again. A little faster than the last time. A soft laugh erupted from her.
She’s enjoying herself. The thought eased his insides. There were no memories of war. No pressing estate issues. Only her. He smiled to himself and allowed himself to enjoy the moment also.
At last the music came to a halt. A quick regret passed through him at the thought that she would no longer be in his arms.
Reluctantly he stepped back and bowed formally thanking her for the dance.
“That was wonderful,” she said. “Tell me, My Lord. Do you enjoy dancing? You do it so well.”
“As I told you once before, My Lady. I only dance with women I care for. Remember though. Waltzes may only be had with your husband.”
Her face blanched for a moment. She quickly gathered herself and asked, “Is that an unwritten rule of the ton?”
“It is an unwritten rule of the house of Beachmont,” he answered, his eyes narrowing to let her know how serious he was.
She hesitated for a second then smiled and bobbed her head. “Very well My Lord.” Her smile reminded him of a kitten getting a bowl of milk.
They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment. A strange new feeling built inside of him. It was more than desire. More than the wish to concur or possess. He couldn’t explain it, but her smiles did something to his insides.
“Shall I return you to your many admirers or would you like to accompany me on a round of the room?”
She glanced back over her shoulder then back at him. A calculating gleam flashed behind her eyes for a moment. But it was quickly replaced with her angelic smile.
“I would very much enjoy accompanying you. But only if you are willing to discuss the latest fashion and rumors of who is seeing who behind their spouses back.”
He laughed. She knew very well how much he despised such topics. The fact that she was teasing him made him happy. A woman such as this had too much fight, too much strength, to ever let him think too much of himself.
Tucking her hand into his arm he led her around the room. Stopping occasionally to introduce her to acquaintances and fellow Lords and Ladies. A warm pride settled into his bones. The men were envious. Who could blame them? She was the personification of an English Rose. Beautiful, strong, with hidden layers.
The women tried to pull her into conversation. Their eyes were drawn to her dress and the neckless around her neck. Theirs was a different kind of envy.
What must it be like to realize they would never achieve such beauty?
He noticed The Duke of Bathurst following him with his eyes as they circled the room. A knowing smirk on his lips. Alexander shook it off and ignored him. He had a beautiful woman on his arm. The last thing he wanted to think about was being teased by his friends.
Besides, both of them were well and happily tied to their own anchors.
.o0o.
Caroline felt as if she were walking on air. She was attending a Duchess’s ball and had been accepted. Lady Arabella had invited her to go shopping with her this Friday. And the Duchess had invited her to tea next week. Telling her that His Grace’s Aunt and his sister would have returned to town.
“I want you to meet her. She is a remarkable woman. Sharper than a blade, with a tongue to match.” Gwen had said. “But I love her. There is no better person to have on your side as you enter the ton.”
Friends, a man like Alexander. Life could be good she realized. Besides. It certainly beat a hovel in Dorset.
Out of the corner of her eye, Caroline caught a flash of forest green. She squared her shoulders in anticipation. She had been anticipating this moment the entire night.
She felt her husband stiffen next to her. He was not happy about something. Sighing at the inevitable he greeted the other woman with a small bow then turning to Caroline said, “My Dear, may I present Lady Sinclair.”
Caroline’s heart jumped as the other woman smiled at him enticingly, then gently slapped his a
rm with her fan.
“Oh, Alex. No need to be so formal. After all. Such close friends as ourselves have too many shared memories to resort to such formality.”
The striking redhead turned her smile towards Alexander’s bride. Her look reminded Caroline of a shark. A very hungry shark. The kind of look that told the younger woman to be careful or she would be eaten alive.
Caroline returned the smile. Trying to force it to reach her eyes. She wasn’t confident that she succeeded. But then she didn’t really care. This woman was never going to be her friend.
“So, this is the incomparable Miss Jennings?” Lady Sinclair said.
“Countess Beachmont,” Alexander corrected.
“I must say, my dear,” the woman continued, completely ignoring him. “When Alex told me of your betrothal I was rather shocked. However did you trap him? I know many would love to know your secret.”
The woman was beautiful, poised, sophisticated. Why hadn’t he chosen her for his bride?
Because this woman never would have accepted a marriage in name only. That is way she told herself as a sinking realization sank to the bottom of her stomach.
Of course, that did not mean she was going to give this woman any satisfaction in besting her.
Caroline’s face broke into a large smile as she slipped a possessive hand into her husband’s arm.
“Lady Sinclair, so nice to finally meet you. It is so wonderful to meet Alexander’s older friends.”
The red head’s face blanched for just a moment. This was a woman not used to her name and the word ‘older’ being used in the same sentence. But she was well versed in the art of war and politics. Her smile slipped back into place as if it had always been there.
Turning to Alexander, Caroline gave him her most worshipful expression. “Darling, you didn’t tell me that Lady Sinclair knew of our wedding. You should have informed me. We could have invited her. I very much could have used her advice. It would have been nice to have an older woman in attendance. I am sure she has seen so many weddings she could have been a great help.”
Alexander glanced down at his wife. A strange look passed behind his eyes then he smiled. A welcoming smile of approval.
“I am sorry, my dear. In all honesty. Once you finally agreed to my proposal. Well, it seems I could think of nothing else but you and our wedding. I do apologize.”
Caroline’s heart swelled with happiness. He understood and had agreed to play the game. There was no reason for these people to know the truth. Her life would be so much easier if they didn’t.
She gently tapped him on the upper arm with her fan. The exact spot where Lady Sinclair had tapped him. “That is perfectly all right, my darling,” she said. “I forgive you.”
She looked up into his face with adoring puppy dog eyes. Sending a message that he was the center of her universe.
Alexander looked back, lost for a moment, and then gathered himself as if he had remembered where they were. He seemed to be fighting to hold back a smirk. Maybe even full laughter. She needed to move him along before he said something to give it all away.
Turning to Lady Sinclair, Caroline said, “It was very nice to meet you, Lady Sinclair. I am sure we will see each other again. For now, I do believe our hosts wish a word.”
Gently pulling at Alexander’s arm they left the other woman with her mouth open, speechless.
They had only gone a little way when Alexander leaned down and whispered, “You are good, very good, at this game. Remind me not to get on your bad side.”
She smiled up at him. “Oh Alexander, that was not my bad side. You do not want to see my bad side. It is not pretty.”
He laughed. A throat enjoyment of a laugh. The sound sent warm waves through her body. It sounded good to hear him laugh. As if for once, he was not angry at the world.
Chapter Seventeen
Caroline leaned back into the carriage squabs and sighed. The evening had been wonderful. Even the conflict with Lady Sinclair had worked out to her favor. She had put the woman in her place and Alexander seemed to like the idea.
She had made two new friends in Gwen and Arabella. The fact that she was on a first name basis with a duchess continued to surprise her. Both women would prove invaluable in launching Alice and Beatrice next year.
Alexander had seemed to enjoy himself. He had reconnected with his friends. What’s more she like his friends. They were nice people who obviously cared about him.
Overall. An outstanding evening. Her hand adjusted the necklace around her neck. Yes, an outstanding evening.
“That went rather well,” Alexander said as he sat next to her. His hip brushed against hers sending a spark to her very center. She realized that once again she was alone with this man.
“Yes it did, thank you. You were wonderful,” she said.
Why was it every time she was alone with him her mind immediately jumped to their wedding night? What he had done to her and how it had made her explode. It was all she could think of.
She wanted it to happen again, she realized. Desperately wanted it again. But how? That was not their arrangement. He had only come to her that night out of a sense of obligation. A desire to make things legal.
She had no right to make any demands of him. That was there agreement. She could not pout, badger, nag, or even plead. But that did not change the fact that she desperately wanted him in her bed again?
Her mind raced with a thousand strategies.
Last night he had ignored her. Spending his evening at his club. Tonight. This morning, actually, she realized. She did not want a repeat.
Within minutes, the coach pulled before their house. Not his home she realized. Not yet, anyway.
Johnson met them at the door. A rare smile crossing his face when he saw their happy countenance.
“It went well? My Lady? My Lord?” he asked.
“Yes, very well,” Alexander said as he removed his coat and hat.
Johnson helped Caroline out of her cloak and said, “I will send for Amy, My Lady. She should be up in a moment.”
“No,” Caroline said as she tried to hide a secret smile. “No need, it is late. And I am perfectly able to get myself ready for bed.”
“Are you sure My Lady,” Johnson asked. As if the idea of her ladyship being able to do anything by herself was unthinkable.
“Yes, I am sure, Johnson thank you. And please, I do believe I will be sleeping rather late tomorrow.”
“Of course, My Lady.”
Alexander looked at her strangely for a moment. His brow creasing in confusion. He finally shrugged his shoulders slightly and offered her an arm. “Allow me, my dear,” he said.
Caroline placed a hand on his arm and allowed him to escort her up the stairs.
When they stopped before her door, she hesitated for a moment. What would happen now? How did she entice him into her room?
Turning she smiled up at him and said, “Thank you again. I enjoyed myself. Everything was so perfect.”
He smiled down at her. Obviously pleased that she was happy. He too seemed to hesitate. As if trying to decide something momentous. His brow crinkled in concern for a moment then he stepped back.
“Of course. I am glad that you enjoyed yourself,” he said. Then bowing he raised her hand and gently kissed it. “You were amazing. I thank you.”
He stepped back and she felt as if her heart would break. Do not let him see that you are hurt, she said to herself. He cannot know. Do not make him regret this marriage. Under no circumstance could she place that burden on him. He had already done so much.
Gathering her insides together, she took a quick breath then reached up to place a swift kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you, Alexander,” she said then quickly turned and entered her room before she started to cry.
It was several seconds before she heard his steps leading down to his door and the solid click of his lock. She rested a moment. Her back leaning against her own door as she fought to gain control
.
Another night alone.
Sighing to herself she made her way to her desk. Looking into her mirror she admired her new necklace once again. It really was breathtaking. How could a man give a woman such beautiful jewelry yet have no interest in her?
She examined herself in the mirror. Her hair was still in place. Her dress fit perfectly. Highlighting every curve. So why was he not interested? What was it about her that failed to draw him to her?
Removing the necklace she placed it on her desk then reached behind her to undo her dress.
Her fingers, however, had a hard time grasping the ties. Amy had cinched them down quite tightly it seemed. As she twisted, first one way then the other, her fingers tried to find purchase. She didn’t pay attention and accidentally knocked a candle from the table.
“Damn,” she cursed as she quickly bent to retrieve the candle before it set the room ablaze. Wouldn’t that be perfect? Burning his house down around him.
“Are you all right,” Alexander said, sending a surge through her.
While still bent at the waist she looked behind her. He stood in the adjoining door. His jacket long gone, his shirt undone to the waist.
Swallowing she nodded. “I uh … I’m having problems with my dress.” Her cheeks immediately flushed as she realized his eyes were locked onto her backside. Not the most ladylike of positions she realized and quickly stood.
Taking a deep breath, she smoothed the front of her dress and placed the still burning candle back in its holder.
“May I be of assistance?” he said.
She shot a look into his eyes. Was he teasing her? No. He was offering to help her. As he always did, it seemed.
Nodding her head she stepped to her desk. They were married she reminded herself. He could surely help her out of her dress.
Pulling the combs from her hair she placed them next to the necklace as she shook out her hair.
“Yes, thank you. I should probably have called on Amy, but it is so late. I didn’t want to disturb her.”
“That is perfectly understandable,” he said as he came to stand behind her.
Their eyes met in the mirror. He stood a head taller than her. Looking down at her with smoldering eyes. A look with a hidden message.
The Viscount's Bride (Love's Pride Book 2) Page 13