“I confess that I doubt it. Fortunately, Pen has spoken of a visit to London soon, so that Charlotte can begin choosing her wardrobe for the season.”
“I will make it a point to be there when all of you come.”
They strolled into a spot where the trees fell away and only tall grasses and bushes flanked the path. Down a low hill, a little clearing filled with flowers lay near the lake.
“Look, bluebells. Help me down so I can pick some.”
Dante was only too happy to help her down the hill. She knelt amidst the fragrance and began plucking up the buds. With an encompassing glance that noted their isolation, he settled down beside her.
She peered toward the tall bushes hiding the path, looking for Vergil’s dark hair. He should be passing this way soon.
“You are very lovely there, surrounded by those flowers, Miss Kenwood. They make your eyes even bluer.”
“Call me Bianca, Dante.”
He looked like a man pleased with a sudden good turn in fortune.
Still no Vergil.
“I am honored that you agreed to walk with me today. I was concerned that my behavior in the library had left you angry and afraid.”
“Not angry. But a little afraid, I will confess.”
“Such a reaction is what one would expect of an innocent girl. Kissing you like that was an inappropriate thing to do. I can only offer as an excuse that I was overcome by how lovely you looked in that subtle light.”
“You do not need to apologize. I was not insulted, just surprised. If I reacted strongly, it was because of that.”
“May I take that as encouragement that my addresses find some favor with you?”
It sounded like something Vergil would say. Only Vergil had said nothing of the kind before kissing her, and now this rake did. Men could be very confusing.
“That depends on your intentions.”
“Completely honorable, Bianca, I promise you.”
He hadn’t touched her. He hadn’t even moved closer. How much encouragement should a rake need? She glanced anxiously toward the path.
“Not too honorable, I hope.”
He smiled in both surprise and delight, but he still didn’t move. Where had this sudden inconvenient restraint come from?
“You cannot know how happy this makes me. Now, we should resume our walk and return to the others.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. “I do not want to return to the others just yet. I would rather stay here with you.”
“I am flattered, Bianca, but—”
“I want you to ask to kiss me. You said that you would and that I would not refuse. I have thought about it and decided that you were right. I would not refuse.”
He glanced around at their isolation, clearly torn. She did, too, and thought she saw dark hair finally moving between the bushes’ branches.
“It would be best if we left now,” he said.
What good was a rake if he got all proper just when you needed him to do something outrageous? When you had bluntly invited him to do so? In a few seconds Vergil would move to the top of the little hill and what would he see? Nothing.
Dark hair strolled closer. She stomped a mental foot in frustration. This chance might never come again.
Kiss me, you idiot.
Dante rose to his knees and offered his hand to help her up.
She lunged.
He fell back with her weight and his arms instinctively encircled her. “Miss Kenwood . . . Bianca . . .”
She pressed him to the ground and he grappled in confusion. In the flurry that followed, she rolled so he embraced her reclining body amidst the flowers.
The world righted itself and silence fell. She looked up at a face at first startled, then dangerously sensual.
“Well, sweet girl, if you insist.” He lifted her toward a kiss.
Their lips never met. A rampaging animal crashed down the hill. A strong hand grabbed Dante by the neck of his garments and hauled him off her. Furious, savage blue eyes seared into one befuddled and astounded rake.
“I warned you,” Vergil growled.
His fist sent Dante sprawling. Then that hand pulled her up, set her right, and brushed the grass off the back of her garment with swipes that stung her bottom.
She looked guiltily at Dante. She hadn’t expected Vergil to react so violently.
She faced Vergil bravely. They stared at each other, her glaring a challenge and him barely controlling his fury.
Dante staggered to his feet. “Oh, hell,” he muttered.
“Exactly,” Vergil said.
That confused her. She looked quizzically from one to the other. Vergil shook his head in exasperation and stepped aside.
Her gaze followed Dante’s.
Oh, dear.
Up on the crest of the little hill, Fleur, Pen, and Catalani watched from beneath their parasols.
“I tell you, she literally threw herself at me. One moment I’m offering her my hand and the next I’m sprawled on the ground with her on top of me.”
Dante paced in front of the study’s window, looking as agitated as Vergil felt.
Vergil stayed behind his desk, because if he got within ten feet of his brother he might thrash him. “Do you expect me to believe that Miss Kenwood jumped you, overpowered you, and then dragged you into an embrace? It is preposterous.”
“Listen to me. I’m kneeling there, about to get up. She had just invited me to kiss her and I had demurred. Then suddenly she turns into a she lion and—”
“You were on top of her.”
“That part is a bit confusing. It all happened so fast. I have to tell you, her behavior has been astonishing. I am shocked, to be frank about it. I can’t recall that I have ever experienced anything like it.”
“You hardly looked as though you were fighting for your virtue.”
“Well, she was so insistent. And I am human.”
Far too human. He’d like to smash his fist into Dante’s face again and then grab Bianca Kenwood and turn her over his knee.
“Nothing else for it, of course,” Dante said. “What with the ladies seeing.”
“If I discover that you decided to save time as you suggested that day in here, I will—”
“Don’t know why you are so upset. It is what you wanted. I’m the one who has to marry a girl with very suspect morals.”
“Suspect morals?”
“If she is so bold with me, one has to wonder.”
Yes, one did. Especially if one knew for a fact that she had been kissing another man just two days ago. That explained partly why he was so angry. However, it was seeing them embracing that had caused the explosion in his head that still hurled sharp fragments.
She knew that such indiscreet behavior carried extreme consequences. He had spelled it out less than two days ago. How could she be so careless as to . . .
How, indeed?
He sank down in his chair and mulled that over. He had left first, followed by Bianca and Dante. The ladies must have begun their walk soon after. Pen and the others had caught up with him only because he had paused to think some things over. Things about Bianca, as it happened.
It all fell into place. She had planned it. She had intended him to find them together. To make him jealous? She had definitely succeeded there, but he could not delude himself that it had been her intention. A woman’s revenge for what had happened in the ruins? A declaration of indifference because she had noticed him watching her? He had tried to be very discreet about that, but he might have failed.
Damn.
“You were right about one thing, Verg. I will have to be very firm with her. No matter what is in the past, I will not have her taking lovers once we are married. She will have to understand that.” The censorious line of Dante’s mouth would put a bishop to shame.
“You think to dictate her behavior?”
“I’ll not be made a fool.”
“Dante, you have made a fool of half the House of Lords. Do you thin
k that young woman will permit you to preach morality?”
“A husband has his rights, and I’ve a reputation to consider. Despite the likely blemishes on her virtue, no doubt the result of lax supervision, she is a sweet and accommodating creature.”
Accommodating? “You amaze me.”
“As to my own activities, I expect she will remain ignorant of that.”
“No one in England is ignorant of that.”
“It is obvious that she is in love with me, and she is, in her heart, still a wide-eyed child. I do not doubt that she will accept any arrangement that I present, and submit as appropriate to my supervision.”
Wide-eyed child? Submit?
He shook his head incredulously. Dante had assumed the countenance of a paterfamilias who took for granted marital devotion and obedience from his wide-eyed, accommodating wife.
He doesn’t stand a chance.
“If we ignore what this reveals about her character, one could say things have worked out very nicely. I will take the blame, of course, but she has played right into our hands.”
She had certainly done that. He should be gloating in triumph, but the thought of what was to come only sickened him.
“Where is she?” Vergil asked.
“Up in her chamber. Pen has everyone in the library, trying to pretend nothing happened. The rest don’t know, but it is bound to get out. I will speak with her at once and make my offer.”
“We will speak with her together. She may need some persuading.”
“Can’t imagine that. Everyone knows the rules.”
Yes, everyone knew the rules, but Bianca had not shown any inclination thus far to play by them.
chapter 9
For a warm September day, the study held quite a chill.
That probably had something to do with the icy blue eyes ostentatiously looking away while Dante knelt and proposed.
“Therefore, while I would have preferred to court you and then offer in the normal way, under the circumstances it would be best if we married immediately,” he concluded, squeezing her hand and bestowing a reassuring smile.
Vergil lounged in his chair behind his desk, turned toward the window with a distracted, bland expression. He had sat there like a silent witness while his brother performed this most intimate of rituals.
She gave her attention back to the young man balanced on one knee. “Why would it be best if we married?”
“Why?”
“Yes, why?”
“Because, Miss Kenwood, the alternative is a scandal.” Vergil’s steely tone cut the air into shards. “You were seen with my brother, and as a gentleman, he will do the right thing.”
She looked at the beautiful man kneeling by her side. Poor Dante. To have successfully raked all these years, only to get ensnared the one time he had tried to act very honorably.
She patted Dante’s hand. “You are very kind to offer, but I must refuse.”
“Refuse?”
“You will be relieved to learn that I do not exact such a high wage for such a small indiscretion.” As your brother well knows.
He rose. He didn’t look relieved at all. Incredulous and a bit insulted, but not relieved.
“Vergil . . .”
“I will manage this now, Dante.”
Bianca shifted so she faced him squarely. “You will find that I am not inclined to be managed, least of all by you. It is unforgivable for you to force your brother, your own blood, into this for such a little thing.”
“I assure you, Bianca darling, that I am not at all unhappy about it.”
“A little thing? It was no mild flirtation that the ladies witnessed. You were lying on the ground together. Only if your garments had been in dishabille could it have been worse. What would have happened in Baltimore if you were found thus?”
“I imagine if my father were alive he would have shot Dante.”
“Are you saying that you would prefer that I shoot my brother?”
“I am saying that I will not accept marriage under these circumstances. The punishment is far too permanent for such a small crime.” I have explained all this before. Remember?
Vergil began to respond, but Dante cut him off with a quelling gesture. He lifted her hands in his own and gazed into her eyes. “My dear Bianca, I assure you I do not view this as a punishment. Rather, it is a dream come true. For your sake only do I wish the circumstances were different. You stole my heart immediately. I have spent these weeks praying for a sign of your affection. This only gives me my soul’s desire sooner than I had dared hope.”
Her heart sank into her stomach. He meant it. Not the parts about stealing his heart, but the rest. He didn’t mind this development.
Out of the corner of her eye she observed Vergil. He appeared resolute and angry, but not one bit surprised.
Her heart sank further.
This had been the plan from the start. It was why Dante was here, and why Vergil wouldn’t let her leave. Dante had been chosen for her. Her whole stay at Laclere Park had been a type of trap, and her own stupidity had sprung the clamps closed.
“So, let us hear no more talk of sparing me from punishment,” Dante said, lifting her hands to his lips. “In a few days we will be wed, and I promise to make you very happy, darling. Doing so will be no punishment at all.”
His soothing tone carried a note of seduction. Vergil’s jaw clenched. Her stomach heaved.
She extricated her hand. “I am honored by your affection, but still I must decline.”
A silence ensued, so tense that one expected invisible coils to snap. Bewilderment, then amazement, then annoyance flashed over Dante’s face.
“Perhaps you should leave us, Dante. I would like to speak with my ward alone.”
“Certainly,” Dante said. “Bianca . . . Miss Kenwood.” With a little bow he was gone.
She glared at Vergil, daring him to pursue this farce. He rose and paced to the window.
“With your mother long dead and your aunt unmarried, your education has been lacking. Forgive me if I must be blunter than men should be with women. You were seen prostrate under my brother in those flowers, engaged in lovemaking. When that is discovered, the only honorable course for the man and the only redemption for the woman is that they wed. You may not extract such a wage for indiscretion, Miss Kenwood, but society does.”
“As I remember it, I was engaged in lovemaking with you and you accepted my refusal of your offer. I suppose that means you got to be honorable but I did not get to be redeemed. Fine. I will accept the same resolution with Dante.”
“Do not . . . This is different. You were seen. The consequences cannot be avoided.”
“So it is being seen that makes such behavior scandalous? How unfortunate for Dante. It is a good thing for him that I am not a slave to propriety.”
“You did not hear me. When you lost control with my brother, you also lost control over the outcome should your behavior become known.”
“What makes you think that I lost control with your brother? I don’t remember it that way at all.”
He turned abruptly with an expression of . . . what? Shock? Relief? “Are you saying he importuned you? Forced you?”
He almost appeared hopeful and, for a moment at least, not at all stern. Her chest filled with an astonishing yearning. He looked so . . . vulnerable. An odd thought, but that was what she saw for an instant. It made her wish that she could somehow abort this foolhardy plan. But what good would that do, especially now that she knew why he was so adamant about her staying with his family.
“I am saying nothing of the sort. Would it make a difference to society if I did?”
“No.”
Nor would it make a difference to you. Not really, despite that look. Our passion was a blunder that almost botched things horribly. You planned for Dante to have me, after all.
She forced herself to act lighthearted despite the raw hurt ripping at her composure. “I did not think so. The thing is, you keep bringing up
scandal and society, while I care about neither. You seem to forget that this is not my society.”
“It is the one in which you now live.”
“Only temporarily. You asked what would have occurred if we had been found thus in Baltimore. A duel or a marriage, such as families demand here, would be two possibilities. Or I might have been sent away. I suggest that we consider that last option now as well.”
His expression lightened. Definitely relief this time.
“Ah, I see. Of course. I had wondered why you did it, but it is becoming clear now. Independence was your goal from the start and you still pursue it. But you have overplayed your hand.”
And you are glad that I did. Glad that I sprang the trap so neatly. Glad that Dante will have me. Oh, Laclere . . .
“I assure you that I did it because I wanted to do it. Furthermore, I think that you will have to permit me to leave. I have no intention of rectifying things by marrying your brother. If the result is a scandal, so be it. I expect that it will be a very big one, but it will fall only on me if I leave soon. We will let everyone know that he tried to do the right thing, but that I refused him. Once I have left, it will all be forgotten.”
He cocked his head. “Are you so determined that you would invite such scorn to achieve your ends?”
“I would invite even more if necessary. You really should let me go. Otherwise you may find your family the center of all kinds of outrageous behavior.” She tossed her head in what she hoped was an imperious manner.
The silence crackled. She turned back to find him suddenly standing right beside her chair.
He did not look amused anymore. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I have already dared. First with you and now your brother. It should be clear by now that I am not what you expected.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Open your eyes, Laclere. What kind of a woman would hop from one man to the next like that?”
“You tell me, Miss Kenwood.” His quiet tone made her very uncomfortable.
“One too free-spirited to avoid scandal in your very proper society, I would say. Wouldn’t you?”
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