Countess So Shameless (Scandal in London)

by Liana Lefey

  “It’s no use wasting your love on a man like him, Miss Charlotte,” he pressed gently. “He will never return it in kind. He is incapable of tenderness, being a shallow, heartless cad who would tear out your heart and tread on it with no remorse. I’ve seen him do so countless times with countless women.”

  The fire in her eyes contradicted him even before her words. “He would never do that to me,” she said with all the confidence of a trusting child.

  “Hasn’t he already?” he asked, giving her a penetrating look. “How many times has he ignored you? Passed you by without a second glance no matter how you’ve tried to gain his attention?”

  “He can’t show his true feelings for me,” she justified. “Reggie would kill him if he was anything less than a perfect gentleman toward me.”

  He pushed the knife a bit deeper into the wound. “If he loved you, he would be unable to hide it and would not care if the entire world saw it in his face. That you are Stanton’s sister has nothing to do with it. If he wanted you, he would have made it known.”

  “He—he’s afraid his reputation will ruin me!”

  Herrington laughed. “God forgive me, but I cannot allow you to continue in such ignorance!” Releasing her hand, he grasped her by the shoulders and twisted the blade. “Pelham ignores you not to protect you or to hide his unrequited love for you, Miss Charlotte. He ignores you because he finds your innocence boring.”

  It was a deliberate goad, for any female dressed as she was tonight was out for blood. She would despise being referred to as even remotely childlike.

  Just as he expected, Charlotte broke free of his hold and moved away. “I’m a woman grown, and he will one day see it.”

  “For your sake I hope he doesn’t, Miss Charlotte,” Herrington said softly, folding his now empty hands in his lap. “The day he does, you will regret tempting him, for he will break your heart even more than it is breaking now. You must be told the truth, for your own good. He will ruin you for his pleasure and toss you aside. You think you know him, but I assure you—”

  “I know all about David’s ‘adventures,’ if that’s what you’re referring to,” Charlotte cut in crisply. “I’m not as ignorant as you might think. And I know he would never treat me so! You’re wrong about him. I do know him, I’ve known him ever since I was born, and I know what I’m doing!”

  “Do you really?” he asked. “Do you know what passion is? Have you ever felt it firsthand? Tasted it?” He folded his arms, sitting back. “Have you ever even been kissed?”

  Charlotte squirmed. “What if I haven’t?” she threw at him. “Once I am his wife, he will teach me all I need to know.”

  Herrington smiled at her naïveté. “You honestly believe that as his wife, you will fulfill the role of lover as well?”

  “Why not?” she asked with unabashed hostility.

  Striving to sound as patronizing as possible, he answered. “Unlike me, Miss Charlotte, most men believe a wife is merely a means to an heir. They don’t view the marriage bed as a place of passion, but merely as a place for fulfilling one’s duty to the line. A wife is expected to embody modesty, chastity, and motherhood, not lust and depravity! If you think Pelham will teach the future mother of his children to perform in the manner of his mistresses, I can assure you he will not.”

  He leaned forward again, pinning her with his stare, hardening his voice. “Yes, Miss Charlotte. Mistresses. Pelham currently keeps not one, but three. I know this for fact. Do you think a man like that will deny himself the pleasures to which he is accustomed for the sake of a few vows spoken in a church? How can an innocent like yourself ever hope to satisfy a depraved monster?”

  Charlotte flinched as though his words were physical blows.

  “For innocent is what you are,” he murmured. “And you should value your innocence, for it is a prize without price, like your good and true heart. If you cast it aside to buy his love, he will view you as he does those who sell their bodies to him now and cast you off in the same manner as those unfortunate women. When he is finished with you, you will have gained nothing but his contempt.”

  He knew she’d heard tales in the powder room amid all the inane giggling, believing them nothing more than overblown gossip. Hearing it from a gentleman, however, was quite different.

  Sensing that her will was about to crumble, Herrington pressed his advantage. “Should you somehow manage to force Pelham to the altar, you would be miserable, Miss Charlotte. You want love and fidelity from a man whose passion is for you and you alone, and Pelham is incapable of giving that to any woman.”

  She stared at him, visibly stricken.

  He looked down and toyed with the hem of his silk jacket, feigning pained reluctance. “Much as I hate to admit it, I’m no better than you in where I place my affection. She will never care for me, especially now that she’s taken up with that ridiculous Italian. I, along with everyone else, can see she has fallen prey to his wicked influence. She is lost to me forever. So you see, Miss Charlotte, we are both bleeding from wounds to the heart. We’ve loved those who never have and never will love us back.”

  Her tear-filled eyes lifted, full of despair, and Herrington squirmed inside. He’d justified his choice, but she’d done nothing to deserve what was about to happen.

  It should never have come to this. Mélisande should have been his. She would be his! And she would pay for every sin he committed in making it happen. She would pay each and every night for the remainder of her life. His blood heated at the thought of how he would exact his revenge.

  His thoughts must have shown in his eyes, for Charlotte froze.

  Herrington cursed himself for his lack of self-control, shaking his head and looking down to cover his slip. “We are of a kind,” he sighed. “You understand the pain in my heart, and I know yours as no one else can. Your sweetness and compassion have eased my heartache, Miss Charlotte. Our shared suffering has forever formed a bond of kinship between us.”

  He gave a weak laugh. “I should be content to name you friend and confidante after such commiseration, but instead, I am ashamed to say that, that...well, the truth is I’m afraid I find myself unexpectedly drawn to you, Miss Charlotte.”

  Shock wrote itself all over her face.

  “I cannot help but wish she had a heart like yours, but she does not,” he continued. “I see now that she is a fickle jade unworthy of my tender regard. It is strange, but in admitting so, I find her power over me diminished.”

  “I—I’m glad to have been a help.”

  “You have freed me, Miss Charlotte. You have freed me from her spell.”

  A bitter smile crossed her lips. “Truly, I am glad to have been a help to you, Your Grace. I wish you happiness in your newfound freedom.”

  “But I am not free.”

  Her cloud-colored eyes flicked up, wary.

  “I find it ironic to be liberated from one bewitchment only to fall prey to another,” he continued. “Your compassion has touched me in a way I had not thought possible, Miss Charlotte. After having been imprisoned in the dark with my own bitterness for so long, the warmth and light of your kindness is like the sun. And your purity and beauty are as a bright flame.”

  Charlotte jerked back as he reached for her.

  “Forgive me!” Herrington dropped his hand. “I’m afraid I have simply lost all reason this night—leave me before I say any more!”

  She started to obey, but before she could turn, he leapt up and grasped her wrist. He felt her pulse hammering beneath his fingers as she stared at him, trembling like cornered prey. Genuine excitement stirred in his loins.

  She was confused and terrified.

  Perfect.

  “I beg one last word before you leave,” he pleaded. “Tell me if you feel anything for me, anything at all. A simple yes or no will suffice, and I shall be satisfied.”

  “I, I don’t—I don’t know!” she quavered.

  He leaned closer. “Tell me you feel nothing for me, Miss Charlotte
, and I will leave you in peace. I swear it.”

  When she did not answer, he took her silence for a yes. Taking her in his arms, he pulled her close and brushed his lips against her mouth. When she shivered and softened, he parted them and plundered her mouth, enjoying the knowledge that he was stealing her from Pelham’s unworthy grasp.

  “Charlotte,” he whispered, surprised at how much he actually desired the chit, even though he knew it was nothing compared to his lust for Mélisande. Still, he would be equal to the task of deflowering this gullible little nitwit, should the need arise.

  Tilting her head back, Charlotte closed her eyes, opening to him completely.

  A total surrender. Herrington smiled triumphantly as he leaned her back against the cushions of the settee.

  KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSER

  THOUGH SHE TRIED to remain calm, Mélisande was nearly ready to call a search of the grounds. When Charlotte finally resurfaced, however, her panic was only briefly relieved, for her face held a fresh glow that she immediately recognized.

  Alessandro and several others within earshot looked askance at the colorful string of French invectives she released on seeing the cause of that glow hovering near Charlotte’s elbow.

  Herrington!

  Mélisande made a beeline for David. “We must do something!”

  “This is your fault,” he said, his eyes hard. “If you hadn’t set such a terrible example and then allowed her to mimic your outrageous behavior, this would not have happened!”

  Anger made her bold. “I beg to differ. It is you who are to blame!”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  It was time to end this foolishness. “Charlotte has been in love with you practically since she was born, you idiot!” Mélisande hissed. “You cannot tell me you didn’t notice.”

  He maintained an unblinking stare. “I’d rather hoped she would get over it, quite honestly.”

  “Yes, well, as you can see, she’s over it,” she replied flippantly.

  “She deserves better, Melly. We both know it.”

  “And you think that’s better?” she exclaimed, barely missing a passing footman as she flung an arm in the general direction of the dance floor. “Look at her!” she commanded. “She will ruin herself out of despair for love of you! If, if she hasn’t already! And you don’t care one bloody—”

  “If he has touched her, I will kill him,” David snarled.

  The violence in his eyes silenced her. It was now quite clear that he more than cared for Charlotte; he loved her.

  They watched as Herrington kissed Charlotte’s hand and left to attend another guest.

  Without another word, David stalked over and grabbed her by the arm, causing her to squeak in protest. Bending low, he muttered something in her ear, after which she fell silent and allowed him to escort her out of the ballroom.

  Mélisande followed.

  Opening the first door he came to, David pulled Charlotte in and slammed the door shut behind them.

  Not to be deterred, Mélisande reopened it and slipped inside.

  “Exactly what do you think you are doing?” David snapped, jerking Charlotte roughly toward him. “Dressing like a harlot and behaving like one, too—and with Herrington, of all people! If you’d chosen any other man upon which to hone your flirting skills, this would be comic, but not him. That man has a soul as black as pitch, Charlie! I thought you had better sense. Pick someone harmless, like Prewitt, if you want to practice playing grown-up games!”

  Mélisande winced as the beginnings of a smile faded from the girl’s face.

  “Let me go!” Charlotte yelled, tugging her arm in an effort to break his hold. “You’re one to talk of harlots and blackened souls. You should know!”

  “My virtue isn’t in question here,” he said. “How far did he take it?”

  “Enough, both of you!” Mélisande interrupted, stepping forward. “This is neither the time nor the place.”

  They ignored her.

  “Why should it matter to you?” Charlotte spat at David, still struggling.

  “How far?” he grated, tightening his grip.

  “Far enough to know I want more!” she hissed. Clawing at his fingers, she tried to wrench free of his grasp. Finally, she tore loose, stumbling backward into a table. A delicate figurine fell, shattering into pieces as it hit the floor. Blindly, she reached behind her and grabbed the nearest object, a book, and hurled it at him with a shriek.

  Her explosion of temper stunned Mélisande. This was not the sweet, mild young lady she knew! She watched as David ducked another missile, a small vase. It grazed his head and crashed into the wall behind him, sending shards of porcelain flying.

  “Charlie, control yourself!” he commanded, flinging his arms up to protect his face as another object whistled past.

  “I will not!” she shouted, casting about for something else to throw. “You’ve no right to question me. You’re not my father or brother. You—you’re nothing!” she wailed, tears streaming from her eyes.

  The door burst open behind them.

  Whirling, the three found themselves face-to-face with Herrington. Charlotte immediately rushed around David and into his arms.

  Herrington held her to his chest as she sobbed. “There, there, my dear,” he murmured, stroking her shoulder as he smirked at the other man. “Pelham, I think it might be best if you leave before there is any further unpleasantness.”

  “Charlie, he does not love you. He’s only using you to get at Melly,” David told her.

  Charlotte turned, her storm-cloud eyes staring back at him with pure venom as she edged closer to Herrington.

  “Come with me,” David repeated calmly, holding out his hand.

  “I think our host is right, Lord Pelham,” she said, her voice thick with tears. “You should leave.”

  David shifted forward, but Mélisande placed a restraining hand on his arm. “You cannot,” she murmured. If he called Herrington out, Charlotte would hate him, because Herrington would most certainly die.

  His lips thinned, telling her he didn’t like her advice.

  “Not here. Not now,” she added, fixing him with a hard stare. “David, you know I’m right. She’d never forgive you. Let us resolve this another way.”

  After a moment, he nodded. Without further argument, he turned and departed.

  The instant he was gone, Charlotte burst into another storm of tears.

  “Charlotte,” Mélisande said with all the calm authority she could muster, “you will come with me immediately. We’re leaving. Now.”

  Just then, Reggie burst into the room. “I just saw David. He said Charlotte was in...” His words died out at the sight of his sister in Herrington’s arms.

  Charlotte turned to Herrington, burying her face in his shoulder. After a moment, he pried her loose and cupped her cheek. “You must go. Do not worry; I will take care of everything. I’ll call very soon. I promise.”

  “You will do no such thing,” Reggie said, finding his tongue at last.

  “Reggie!” Charlotte turned pleading eyes on her brother.

  Mélisande stared at Herrington. “Reggie, I think you’d better take your sister home now.”

  “Come, Charlotte,” said Reggie.

  Having no choice, Charlotte went to her brother, who quickly escorted her out of the room.

  “You will not see Charlotte again,” Mélisande told Herrington. “As her chaperone, I forbid it. And I’m sure her brother will forbid it, also.”

  “You may forbid all you like, but I believe her parents will welcome my suit,” he replied, clearly enjoying himself. “Indeed, they may wish us married immediately, under the circumstances. Completely unnecessary, of course. We’ve done nothing to warrant such hasty action, but nevertheless.” His shrug was nonchalant. “I’m perfectly amenable to the idea—unless of course another, better option presents itself. You could take her place.”

  “Me?” she blurted, confused. “But you despise me!”

&n
bsp; “Despise...desire.” He shrugged. “They are but opposite sides of the same coin. You are a beautiful woman, Mélisande.”

  Alarm filled her. “I did not instigate this hostility,” she retorted, taking a step back. “However if you wish a public apology I will gladly give one if it means saving Charlotte from a broken heart. But I will not become your whore.”

  Herrington smiled then, a terrible, slow smile that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

  “You misunderstand my intent,” he told her. “I wish to make you my wife. You see, by marrying the woman who spurned me, I shall be publicly vindicated, my humiliation erased. And if you refuse, I shall marry Charlotte.”

  “But you don’t love her!”

  He shrugged again. “I don’t love you, either. But if I cannot have what I want, then I shall have her as consolation.” His expression darkened. “And I will console myself with her every night for the rest of her unhappy life. And every time I use her body, every time I break her spirit to my will, know that I will be thinking of you. You will be to blame for all her woes. If you marry me, however, she can run back to Pelham, bear his brats, and live happily ever after.”

  Shock and horror permeated her. “I will nev—”

  “I shall write to Charlotte’s parents immediately,” he cut in. “Expect me to call within the week.” He paused, his strange, amber gaze resting on her. “Think on it. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” And with that, he strode past her and out the door.

  Filled with worry, Mélisande immediately sought out Alessandro. “I cannot stop him from writing them,” she told him after filling him in on the details. “Even if I told them the truth of the matter, he would only deny it. If only Reggie had heard him!” she said, frustrated. “What am I to do? This is an unmitigated disaster!”

  “Come, let us leave,” Alessandro said. “Once Charlotte has calmed herself, you can try to reason with her.”

  It was an uncomfortable journey home. Refusing to speak, Charlotte stared out the window until the house and its lights passed beyond view. Then she kept her eyes trained on the floor while Reggie plied her with questions she did not answer. She did not react even when he raised his voice.