“Indeed, madam, we are,” he said of themselves.
The intensity of his gaze caused a delicious warmth to spread through Aidan’s body. The line of guests was dwindling, and as she continued to greet the few who remained, Aidan discovered she longed to be in Justin’s arms, leading off the first dance. Equally as thrilling to her was the thought of them finding that special moment when they could slip away and she could thank him properly for his lovely gift. Her hand moved to the amethyst-and-diamond necklace, which had received as many compliments as had her gown. She caressed it lightly, reverently.
Seeing the motion, Justin smiled down at her. “The first chance we get, sweet, I promise we shall secret ourselves away from them all.” He winked. “The anticipation, of course, will make the event far more exciting.”
The expectation of such was already making Aidan’s heart skip in nervous delight, and she blushed responsively. Then she heard Justin’s chuckle.
“At least I know now I do not repulse you.”
“Did you ever?” she asked without thought.
He grinned widely, knowingly. “That, love, is for you to decide—soon.”
The challenging look in his eyes almost toppled Aidan. Her heart had already succumbed to him, which now left her body. She was lost, she knew. No woman could ever resist his masculine charms. Not even herself. Nor did she want to. But she wanted much more than a physical relationship with him. Their hearts must join as well. Yet the teasing light in Justin’s eyes told her nothing of what he felt inside, only that he desired her. Undoubtedly many women had seen that same look. The thought depressed her, and she wondered if he were capable of loving any woman, especially herself.
She felt a presence and turned her attention to the next guest; instantly she stiffened.
“You look lovely, daughter,” Alastair Prescott said, smiling down at her. “I see he is taking good care of you.”
Her gaze ran over her father’s familiar features to lock with his blue eyes. Strangely she discovered she was glad to see him, yet her latent anger, which had suddenly swirled to life inside her, refused to let her say so. In truth, she was unable to admit that her father’s final selection of a mate for her was the most marvelous of all. “So far we have managed not to kill the other off,” she snapped finally, then wished she hadn’t been so abrupt.
Undaunted by her brusqueness, Alastair chuckled. “Someday you shall forgive me, daughter. Most likely it will come once he’s finally bedded you.”
Aidan’s eyes widened comically. Having heard the exchange, Justin bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing aloud. “Your Grace,” he greeted his father-in-law, inclining his head. “We are pleased you could come.”
“I am most pleased to have been invited,” Alastair replied, bowing, then moved off into the ballroom.
“I thought we agreed not to invite him,” Aidan accused in a hot whisper, knowing they had purposely deleted four names from the list.
One had been her father’s, which she’d crossed off herself. Next came the Earl of Sedgewinn’s, which they’d both marked out. Justin had struck a line through George Edmonds’s name, while Aidan had nearly broken the pen point when she’d come upon Cynthia Danvers’s, a large blob of ink staining the paper as she did so. Upon seeing the deletion, Justin had raised a brow, then presented her a roguish smile.
“But you sent him an invitation anyway, didn’t you,” she finished.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s time you pardoned him. Although I’ve not completely excused him, I no longer feel the need for revenge. Perhaps after tonight, you will feel the same way.”
“Tonight? Why tonight?”
Justin chuckled. “You’ll see, madam. You’ll see.”
As they greeted the last of their guests, Aidan wondered what Justin had meant by “after tonight.” Most likely it will come once he’s finally bedded you. Her father’s words bounced through her mind like a rubber ball; Aidan’s head swiveled round. Staring at her husband, who continued speaking with a guest, she wondered if that was his intent. To bed her. Tonight.
Justin felt his wife’s gaze upon him, but he purposely ignored her. The instant the final straggler came through the line, he took her hand, guided her through the teeming crowd, and out into the dance area. As they stood in the center of the floor, their guests holding to the perimeter, his hand settled at her waist. His free hand captured hers, lifting it into position. “After tonight, love, I hope your forgiveness will extend itself,” he said, thinking of her reaction once she’d learned there would be no divorce.
Confused by his words, Aidan gazed up at him, but nothing in his eyes gave her the slightest clue as to their meaning. His head inclined and the orchestra came to life, the strains of a waltz flowing through the room. As they whirled around the floor, others finally joining in, Aidan again considered his statement. At first she’d thought he’d been referring to her father. But now, as she reviewed his words a second time, she was positive he spoke of himself. Had he done something that would require her forgiveness? Did it perhaps pertain to his mistress? Surely, besides her father, he hadn’t invited Cynthia Danvers as well!
Aidan would have asked if it hadn’t been for the fact that an elderly earl and his countess had found themselves in Justin’s and Aidan’s path. Justin instantly pulled them up short, avoiding a collision. After profuse apologies were extended, they all discovered the music had stopped. When it started up again, Aidan found herself in the shaky arms of the earl, while Justin slowly glided the aged countess across the dance floor.
From that moment on, the duties of playing host and hostess claimed Justin’s and Aidan’s attention. It seemed that everything conspired to keep the young duke and duchess apart. Yet Aidan realized she’d been the one who’d wanted to give this ball, so it was up to her to make it a success. And as the night wore on, she knew, if her mother had been here with her, she would have seen great pride in the eyes which had matched her own.
Several times during the evening, Aidan felt a pair of eyes upon her. While engaged in conversation, pretending interest, she would search out their owner to find they were her husband’s. A thrill of delight would shiver through her, and she found herself wishing they could somehow slip away. But he, too, was caught in the press of their guests. Propriety simply didn’t allow one to stalk away in the middle of a conversation, especially when each guest expected to feel equally important to the next. Yet Aidan found herself wishing a magician would suddenly appear, and with a stroke of his wand, everyone would be gone, leaving only Justin and herself in the glittering enchantment of the golden ballroom.
Her anticipation of being alone with Justin grew to the point where Aidan thought she would surely explode, but she maintained the facade of the ideal hostess, dancing whenever asked, conversing whenever approached, smiling until her jaws ached.
Finally, when her feet had been trodden upon one too many times, she found she simply had to escape. Her gaze skipping around the ballroom, searching for Justin and not finding him anywhere, she routed herself toward the open French doors and out onto the balcony for a breath of fresh air. Suddenly a hand snaked out of the darkness, catching her own, drawing her to a secluded corner, behind a potted plant.
“I thought you’d never give it up,” Justin said, his strong arms going round her, his silvery gaze raking over her upturned features. “You’ve done well by them all. Now do the same for me.”
Justin’s head suddenly sank and his lips opened fully over hers, taking them in an eagerly persuasive kiss. The joy of being near him once more flooded through her body, and Aidan responded to him with a fervor which startled them both. Boldly she pressed herself to the length of his hard frame while her tongue traced his lips, then touched his own.
With a groan Justin drew it into his mouth to wildly mate and play. Sweet Lord! How he wanted her! A great shiver of longing racked through his body, emphasizing his need; blazing desire erupted
from his core.
Realizing how powerful his passions were, Justin tore his mouth away; his lips sliced across Aidan’s cheek to her ear. “If we don’t stop this madness, sweet, I shall lay you upon the cold stone and take you here and now.”
His harshly grated words startled Aidan; she pulled back as frightened eyes searched his.
Seeing her confusion, Justin let loose a derisive laugh. “You have no idea, madam, what you do to a man’s body,” he said, releasing her and stepping back, hoping his arousal would quickly fade. “Especially mine.”
“Is that good or bad?” Aidan asked, knowing he made her feel strangely wonderful, but naively unsure of how she affected him.
A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Let’s just say, sweet, that what I feel cannot be described in words alone. To explain, I must show you, and this is not the time or place to do it.” Then suddenly he felt the need to tell her how he felt about her—that he wanted her to remain his wife. Not because his hopes of a divorce had been quashed, but because he desired that she stay near him. Again he denied love had anything to do with it. Companionship, friendship, and respect were his motives, and to fill those needs, he could never find a better wife. Besides, he desired her soft virginal body, wanted her in his bed. “Aidan, we need to have a serious talk. I think you should know—”
“Oh, excuse me,” a feminine voice declared, its tone filled with mock surprise. “I had no idea you were out here, Your Grace.”
Justin’s towering form hid Aidan from the woman, and conversely, the woman from Aidan. Poking her head around Justin’s arm, Aidan noted it was one of Justin’s admirers. She remembered her as being the one who, on the night of the Rothschilds’ ball, had bluntly informed Aidan she had thought Justin preferred true redheads.
Anger boiled up inside her, for the brazen hussy had been chasing her husband around the ballroom all evening. From all appearances, Justin had tried valiantly to escape her, but it was obvious to Aidan that the girl had thought to trap him on the balcony in hopes of soliciting … What? A kiss? Or perhaps the presumptuous little twit had thought to receive far more for her dogged pursuit.
Aidan offered the girl a superior smile. “My husband and I were just leaving.” She look Justin’s arm. “You may have this area to yourself. I hope you enjoy the night air alone,” she stated in a sickeningly sweet tone. Nudging him forward, Aidan whisked Justin away, back into the ballroom, leaving the redhead staring after them, her mouth agape.
“I’m forever in your debt, madam,” Justin said, smiling down at his wife, his hand squeezing her fingers, which lay along his arm. “Her persistence this night has been like that of a bawling cow in heat. If she had found me first, I fear my only recourse would have been to jump the rail. The fall, no doubt, would have killed me.”
Aidan’s laughter erupted like a crystal bell, filling Justin’s head with its perfect sound. “Next time, sir, don’t escape into the night without first making certain you aren’t being followed. It will save you the worry of having to choose life over death.”
Throughout the rest of the evening and into the early hours of the morning, Justin kept Aidan by his side. Doing so not only bridled the duke’s simpering admirers, but also thwarted any attempt on the part of an overzealous suitor, of which Justin noted there were many, to make an urgent confession of eternal heartbreak to his duchess. As Westover and his bride traversed the dance floor, the duke’s laughter flying freely, his earth-shattering smiles bestowed themselves solely on his duchess, while she directed hers exclusively to him. The couple, it was said by all who had noticed, were wildly and madly in love.
“Well, Alastair,” Lady Falvey stated as the pair watched the couple from the periphery of the dance floor, “I may not agree with how you went about snagging my nephew for your daughter, but I’m certainly pleased with the end result.”
“Thank you, Pattina,” the duke said, smiling. “I thought it rather a stroke of luck to find him in the coach with her. Only a fool would have passed up the opportunity that was given me.”
“No one ever said you were a fool, sir. Devious, perhaps, but never a fool.”
“Thank you, madam. But it remains to be seen if anything shall come of my maneuvering. I’ve planted a seed in his mind, telling him the only way he’ll be able to control her is to impregnate her. Now its up to him to bring it to fruition and issue the bud.”
“By the looks of it, sir, I predict the next invitation to bear the Westover crest shall be that of a christening.”
“Then, madam, perhaps it would be wise if we were to discuss some names. Maybe they shall decide on one we’ve suggested.”
“Excellent idea, Atwood,” the dowager marchioness said as they moved toward a quiet corner, a lengthy list already forming in her head.
Feeling impish, Aidan smiled up at Justin as he waltzed her around the floor. “Do you think it’s too late?”
“Too late for what, sweet?” he asked, returning her smile.
“To yell fire?”
Justin threw back his head and laughed. “Indeed, it is, madam.” He noted her look of mock disappointment. “My body and soul are already ablaze for you, sweet. And I fear nothing could ever reduce the intensity of the flame.”
The passionate fire which burned in Justin’s silvery gaze seemed to ignite the fetters that held Aidan’s inhibitions intact, instantly turning them to ash; she melted in his arms.
A wicked smile claimed his face. “Love,” he whispered huskily into her ear as he held her close. “We seem to be drawing an inquisitive eye or two.”
Aidan blinked. Noting that she was pressed to her husband’s long body, she quickly drew back. As she looked around, to see the lot staring at her, she berated herself angrily. Another faux pas to add to her list!
Thankfully the music stopped, and Justin guided her toward the door leading into the great hall. “I suppose my one mistake of the night will be the only dialogue that anyone shall hear for weeks to come of this whole affair,” she said pettishly. “After all my attempts to make this the grandest ball London has ever seen, I’ve managed to botch it.”
“Since it is I who was the recipient of your affectionate display, I doubt they will have too much to quibble over. At least they seem to have taken the hint. Let’s tell our guests good night, shall we?”
Indeed the crowd had started a voluminous exodus toward the doorway, and Aidan blushed anew. As she said her farewells, she espied the knowing smiles and comprehending looks and fervently wished the floor would somehow open beneath her feet and swallow her completely. Had it not been for Justin’s restrictive hand, which held fast at her waist, she’d have fled the room and all who remained inside. To Aidan’s relief, within a quarter hour Westover House had emptied of its guests.
“Well, my dears, you two were quite the talk of the evening,” Aunt Patti said, chuckling. “I believe the festivities can be considered a grand success. I shall bid you both a pleasant good night.” The dowager marchioness strode up the hall to the stairs, then up to her room.
With Aunt Patti gone off to bed, Aidan suddenly felt extremely apprehensive. Save for the few servants, who were busily carting tray after tray of soiled glasses, plates, and silverware down to the kitchen area, she was now alone with her husband. The flirtatious game they had played the evening long was now at its most crucial point, and she feared that he’d actually ask her to join him in his bed. Why not? She loved him. Or did she? Well, she wanted him, then. No, she did not. Unable to make up her mind, she bit her lower lip while she fretted over her indecisiveness.
Attuned to Aidan’s wavering emotions, Justin realized the turn of her thoughts. “Sweet,” he said, his tender smile upon her, “I think we should find a quiet place where we might talk.”
“Yes, we need to talk,” she agreed in a small voice, then allowed herself to be led down the hall to the sitting room, all the while wondering what else this night might bring her way.
13
Justin drew Aidan i
nto the dimly lit sitting room and closed the door. Escorting her to the deep-blue-and-white-striped silk-covered settee, he gestured for her to sit; nervously Aidan poised herself on the cushion’s edge.
Gazing down at her a long, silent moment, he studied her upturned face, noting her innocent beauty, and he wondered how he could explain that he wanted her to stay. He debated whether to tell her of Victoria’s threats, but decided against doing so. His loyalty belonged to his Queen, but if he truly wished to be rid of Aidan, nothing Victoria said would have stopped him from doing so. His Queen knew that as well, but Aidan did not. So to prevent a misunderstanding between them, he elected to keep silent on the issue, at least for now.
Justin finally released Aidan’s searching gaze and moved to the fireplace, where he braced an elbow on the mantel. “Before this night ends,” he said, “I feel we must come to a decision on what’s to be done about us—where we’re to go from here.”
Aidan felt the bite of her nails as her clenched hands tightened in her lap. Intent on hearing his next words, she was oblivious of the pain.
“After all my threats, all my denials, what I’m about to say may seem laughable.” Justin did laugh, its harsh quality turning itself inward. “I would like for you to reconsider the matter of our divorce. It can serve no purpose but to bring us both to ruin. Your reputation would be irreparably damaged. Neither of us would retain the acceptance of our peers. We’d become social outcasts. On the other hand, if you choose to stay with me, I can give you everything and anything you may desire. Aidan, I’m asking that you remain here as my wife.”
She carefully studied his face, then finally asked, “Do you propose this because you fear censure? Or because you truly want me to stay with you?”
Again Justin laughed. “You should know by now I could give a damn what the whole of Britain says about me. My reputation already precedes me wherever I go.”
“No doubt because of your many affairs.”
A Heart So Innocent Page 25