“I’ll speak with Junior Lord Commissioner Ashton myself and let him know I’m suspicious of his activities. I’ll lead him to believe that as a fellow public official I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Rest assured, Lord Ravenspear, your Treasury bonds will remain stable and secure.”
The following two weeks passed by in a blur. June blended into July and the whirl of the Season continued.
As Earl of Ravenspear and one of the most eligible bachelors in London, Blake received a tremendous number of social invitations. There were masques, balls, teas, house parties, wedding breakfasts and christenings, but he declined them all, wanting to spend his time with Victoria and all too aware that she could not attend on his arm.
They fell instead into a pleasant routine, enjoying each other’s company as much as possible. They spent their mornings reading numerous papers Blake subscribed to and had delivered to his London home. There was The Morning Post, The Times, The Saint James’s Chronicle, New Lloyd’s Evening Post, The Observer and Cobbett’s Weekly Political Register, each a wealth of information on the current status of the market. Such a pastime would have bored other ladies to tears, but Victoria was thrilled, remembering when she had to hide The Times beneath her pillow at her father’s home.
When Blake met with Justin to conduct his business affairs, Victoria was no longer banished from the room but was welcomed if she chose to attend. Blake would ask for her advice concerning his investments, and she would beam with pride.
They weren’t complete hermits and occasionally left his home. He took her to famous dining establishments and inns, not the type where she would be recognized, but to institutions she had heard of, mostly where the brokers and jobbers ate.
Her identity was not questioned here, and Blake was careful to reserve a table in a dim corner or in a private room altogether.
She tried turtle soup at the Ship and Turtle in Leaden-hall Street, juicy steaks and chops at Joe’s off Cornhill and at Dolly’s off Paternoster Row. She feasted on famous beefsteak pudding at the Cheshire Cheese and sampled the unusual wines at the Rainbow Tavern on Fleet Street.
Then, in the middle of her first week back in London, there had been a shocking visit from Spencer.
Victoria’s brother had learned of Blake’s dealings with Slayer and had shown up on the doorstep to question Blake. Blake had not been as stunned as Victoria was at Spencer’s sudden appearance and had welcomed him into his home.
Things between the two men had been tense at first, but Spencer had acknowledged that Blake had not harmed Victoria’s reputation, and no one was wiser as to her whereabouts.
Victoria suspected that her brother’s change in attitude was due largely to the fact that Blake had paid off all of Spencer’s debts to Slayer. She loved her brother, but she was not ignorant of his weaknesses.
Thereafter, Spencer visited Victoria daily, and brother and sister spent time discussing affairs back home. It appeared that Charles Ashton and Jacob Hobbs were so engrossed in making money to pay off their debts to Blake that they didn’t concern themselves with where Spencer spent his time.
It was during one of Spencer’s visits, when Victoria was serving her brother tea in the parlor, that Blake strode in with an embossed invitation in hand.
“Lady Howard is having a masque,” Blake said, repeatedly tapping the invitation in the palm of his hand.
Victoria set down the teapot and looked up at Blake. He appeared agitated, shifting from one booted foot to the other. “Is there a problem with Lady Howard?”
“A problem? No. Except that this is one invitation that I cannot decline.”
“I see,” Victoria said, except she didn’t understand at all.
Since Blake declined all his social invitations, they spent their evenings talking and playing chess or cards in the library. And their nights…ah…well, their nights were spent in passionate splendor, and she was loath to give even one up.
“I believe I can explain,” Spencer spoke up. “Lady Howard is generous to a fault. And she was the only titled lady not to turn her back on the Ravenspear family when they fell upon hard times.”
Victoria turned to Spencer. “How do you know this?”
“I overheard father cursing the woman years ago.”
She swallowed hard. Another damning fact against Charles Ashton.
Was there not one redeeming quality to be found in her father’s character?
Blake dropped the invitation on the table. “Lady Howard did more than refuse to cut my family socially. She donated money to provide my mother medicine in the workhouse.”
“Did it ease her symptoms?”
“No. The taskmaster stole the money and pocketed it for himself.”
An awkward silence permeated the parlor air.
“How awful,” Victoria whispered, breaking the stillness in the room. “You must attend Lady Howard’s party, of course.”
Blake nodded. “Yes. The masque is this Saturday. You may spend the evening with your brother if you wish.”
Despair washed over her, but she pushed it aside, anger rising to her defense.
What did she expect? That she could accompany him as a wife would be able to?
Ridiculous.
“Our family received an invitation as well,” Spencer said. “Victoria can go with me. Everyone believes she has been spending time in the country visiting a friend. They will think she is newly returned.”
“She may go if she wishes,” Blake said.
Victoria watched Blake struggle with his emotions, seeing worry and anxiety and disappointment cross his face.
She was caught off guard by his reaction. Why didn’t he want her to attend Lady Howard’s masque?
“Of course my sister wants to go.” Spencer touched her sleeve, oblivious to the tenseness in her arm.
Victoria gave Spencer a sideways glance. She had never told her brother that she and Blake had become intimate, and judging by Spencer’s behavior, he had not suspected.
No doubt if he knew his sister and Blake Mallorey had shared a bed, Spencer would not be so amicable.
“We shall see, Spencer,” Victoria said. “I have not been out and about of late, and I need time to decide if I would like to attend.”
The truth was, Victoria had no desire to attend a masque. Since her coming out years ago, she had attended countless parties and found most of them tedious. But the fact that Blake did not want her to go aroused her suspicions and brought forth a defiant streak.
They had both carefully avoided the topic of her father, of Blake’s reason for bringing her to his residence in the first place. She had not wanted to ruin their time together, no matter how much she had to dissuade herself from thinking about the true nature of their relationship.
But it seemed time had run out, and a confrontation was long due.
That night, Victoria swept into the library like a soldier prepared for battle.
Mr. Kent, in his usual efficient manner, had delivered dinner, and silver-hooded platters awaited on a table covered with snowy-white linen. Delicious aromas drifted from the trays. Candles were lit around the room and illuminated the vast volumes of books lining the oak shelves.
Blake stood behind his desk, arms crossed, gazing out the window. He turned when she entered the room, a frown creasing his dark brow.
“Why don’t you want me to attend Lady Howard’s masque?” she demanded, dropping all pretense of civility.
He sighed and hesitated before answering. “I apologize for my initial reaction.”
“Do you plan on continuing with your mad scheme to ruin my reputation, then?”
He walked forward, stopping in front of her, and clasped her hands. “How can you ask me that after all we’ve been through?”
“You’ve made me no promises, my lord,” she said, her voice hollow and emotionless. “It’s been two weeks since you brought me back to London without a whisper from you of your plans. Nor have you led me to believe you have forgotten your feud against my fa
ther. I cannot reside with you in London for the remainder of the year with no one the wiser. Surely the secret will eventually come out. What else am I to think?”
Blake’s hands dropped to his sides. “You’re right. I have not told you of my feelings. I had thought you would know by my actions, by my touch.”
Tell me. Tell me you have fallen madly in love with me as I have with you. Her heart beat erratically in her chest as she gazed up at him.
“I could never hurt you, Victoria.”
“And my father?”
Blake’s expression hardened, lips thinning into a tight line. “My plans toward Charles Ashton have not changed.”
The false hope that had momentarily seized her heart deflated like a punctured lung. “I don’t understand. Are you saying you no longer plan to reveal our living arrangements in order to disgrace my father, but you still seek revenge against him in other ways?”
Blake nodded. “Charles Ashton cannot escape his past crimes unpunished.”
“Then I can leave here—” Her voice broke off in midsentence. “I mean…there’s no reason for me to stay anymore.”
He moved so abruptly that she squealed in surprise. Gripping her upper arms, his fingers caressed her naked shoulders above the neckline of her gown. Blue eyes stared down at her, probing her soul.
“You promised me a year, remember? It has been less than half that time, only four months. I never thought you were the type of woman to go back on her word.”
Her spine stiffened at his words as she tried to ignore the soft, rhythmic stroke of his fingers on her flesh. She was assailed by a terrible sense of bitterness. He made no declaration of love, mentioning only her coerced consent to stay the year.
What did she expect?
Victoria stood motionless, fearing her voice would crack if she spoke. She rigidly held her shameful tears in check.
“You don’t believe me, then, that I don’t want to harm your reputation?” he asked.
He actually sounded hurt, and she nearly laughed at that.
“How can I trust a man who still swears vengeance against my parent?”
His fingers stopped kneading her shoulders, but he did not release his grip on her arms. “I’ve had opportunities, my dear. Remember Mrs. Taddlesworth?”
She twisted out of his grasp then, and folded her arms across her stomach.
“Please,” he said, “let me prove myself to you. I want you to go with Spencer to Lady Howard’s masque. I promise to act the perfect gentleman, a mere acquaintance and no more. Do you trust I’ll keep my word?”
Did she believe he wouldn’t stand on the table in Lady Howard’s dining room and shout to the crowd that Victoria Ashton had been living with him at his country estate for months and in his London home for two weeks, and that she had willingly slept with him?
Yes, she did, but not because of his vehement promise. She believed him because he had had numerous opportunities to ruin her reputation and had passed each by—the annoying Mrs. Taddlesworth being only one.
“Why? Why would you do this for me?” she asked.
“Because I can’t bear the thought of you not trusting me, of disliking me.”
She did laugh out loud then. The sound had a sharp edge, half-hysteria, half-cynicism.
Waiting until she had regained some semblance of control, Victoria raised her chin and met his eyes. “Then do something else for me. I want you to cease your crusade against my father.”
“I cannot.” His voice was quiet, yet held an undertone of cold contempt.
“But why? The past can’t be changed. Loved ones cannot be brought back. Even if my father did what you accuse him of—” Then before he could speak, she rushed to add, “And I am even willing to concede that he may have, the clock cannot be turned back.”
“We’ve discussed this before.”
That was before we made love and I lost my heart completely. “Things between us have changed.”
There was a softening of his face, a slight slackening of his mouth. “You’re right, Victoria. Our relationship has changed, and that’s why I will do everything in my power to protect your reputation, but I cannot make any concessions regarding Charles Ashton. He must suffer, and it must be by my hand.”
Damn him. She had dared hope that he had grown to care for her even a little, that he might want to have a real courtship, a real future together. If only he would relent on his obsession with revenge, if he would only meet her halfway, perhaps things would be different.
She swallowed hard and bit back tears of disappointment. She dared not speak, afraid her trembling voice would reveal her traitorous feelings for him. Turning on her heel, she fled the room.
Chapter 26
“Don’t be nervous, Victoria. It is just a silly party, like many of those you have attended in the past.”
Victoria gave Spencer a sideways glance before she adjusted her black velvet half mask and stepped into Lady Howard’s mansion with unease.
Wearing an expensive silk evening gown of deep blue trimmed with silver that boasted a scandalously low neckline, she knew she looked attractive. Her dark hair was piled high in an elegant style with loose curls brushing her bare shoulders. A tiny black patch in the shape of a heart was pasted by her full lips, inviting a kiss.
To all appearances, she was a mysterious society lady set out to enchant the opposite sex.
The problem was, the only male she desired to dally with was determined to crush her heart for something as hollow as spiteful retribution.
Spencer and Victoria entered the drawing room, where as guests they would normally be announced by Lady Howard’s staff. But tonight was a masque, a party contrived to be mysterious, and the masked guests mingled about, holding glasses of bubbly champagne as they attempted to discern their fellow revelers’ identities.
A stunning blond woman approached, carrying two glasses of champagne. The lady wore a full silver mask that matched her exquisite gown of silver tissue. The dress had an even lower bodice than Victoria’s, which managed to be scandalous and stylish at once. Fat platinum curls crowned her head, and a brilliant-cut diamond the size of a walnut glittered in the deep valley between her breasts.
The woman extended a bubbling flute toward Victoria. “Drink up, darling, it looks like you can use one of these.”
“Lady Samantha!” Victoria cried out, recognizing the baroness’s voice. A warm glow flowed through Victoria as she met the twinkling blue eyes behind the silver mask. “What are you doing back in London?”
“I got bored after you left.” Samantha took a long sip from her glass. Leaning close, she whispered, “And I missed my Justin terribly too.”
A cough at Victoria’s side alerted her to Spencer’s presence. Turning toward her brother, she was amused to find his face flushed, his eyes round disks as they feasted on Samantha.
“May I introduce my brother, Mr. Spencer Ashton,” Victoria said. “Spencer, this is Lady Devon.”
Spencer bowed gallantly. “A great pleasure, my lady.”
Samantha’s teasing laughter rippled through the air. “I see that daring, attractive looks run in the family.”
Spencer’s chest puffed with masculine pride.
The baroness gifted him with a seductive smile as she led Victoria away. “I’ll return your sister later, Mr. Ashton.”
“He’ll have that silly smirk on his face all evening, you know,” Victoria pointed out.
Lady Samantha gave a low, throaty laugh. “I’ll save him a dance this evening. Hopefully, Justin will be watching.”
“Oh, Samantha, I’ve missed you.”
They strolled arm in arm around the room, when suddenly the lady grabbed Victoria’s hand and pulled her into an empty alcove away from prying ears.
“I want to apologize to you, Victoria,” Samantha said. “I have worried myself sick after the awful debacle with Mr. St. Bride in my home. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for leaving you alone with the man. I had no idea that he would act s
o…so dishonorably. I caused trouble between you and Ravenspear that day. How have you fared with him since?”
Suddenly the room went silent. All heads turned toward the entrance of the drawing room, and Victoria’s eyes followed.
There stood Blake Mallorey, Earl of Ravenspear. He looked devastating tonight in simple black-and-white evening wear. He was unmasked, and his blue eyes shone fiercely in the candlelight. His strong features held a certain sensuality, and Victoria understood why so many women found him deliciously appealing. There was an air of isolation about his tall figure as he stood at the top step staring at the guests below that only added to his allure.
The females in attendance began to whisper. Victoria overheard excited murmurs that the realm’s most eligible bachelor had finally decided to come out of solitude and attend a society function.
Lady Howard, short with a full figure and a head of thick gray hair, came forward to greet him.
Blake kissed the elder lady’s wrinkled hand, and his grin flashed briefly, dazzling against his dark skin. It was clear that he held the lady in high regard.
“Ah, you’ve been with him intimately.”
Victoria started at Lady Samantha’s remark. “Is it that obvious, just by looking at me?” She did not try to lie; she needed Samantha’s guidance now more than ever.
“It’s not clear to the world, but I know you, darling. I also know what to look for. When a woman’s first experience is with an attractive and sexually skilled man, she looks sated and tortured at the same time.”
“Yes, that is an accurate description for how I feel when I am with him.”
Samantha’s eyebrows drew together above her mask. “I understand why you feel sated, but why are you suffering? Are you afraid he will reveal the truth tonight? Or is he playing with your heart like a typical, selfish rogue?”
“The latter, I confess. He refuses to budge on his plans for retribution against my father, no matter what we share together. And even though he has sworn not to humiliate me, he will not allow me to return home before the year is over.”
Lady Samantha reached out, lacing her fingers with Victoria’s. “I believe he is more tormented than you, darling. He cannot contemplate giving you up.”
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