Slowly, he walked closer to her. “Is everything all right?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“What is wrong?”
“Everything! I don’t belong here. This place is for ladies and I am not one.”
He turned her to face him. “Maybe Victoria Seaton is not a lady, but Mrs. Anne Smith is. Do not forget that.”
She closed her eyes and nodded. “I shall do my best.”
Grabbing her shoulders, he gave a little shake until she opened her eyes. “You shall do much better than that. You will make everyone in the rooms downstairs believe you are Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Smith is the widow of a squire.”
“I know my job,” she retorted, pulling out of his grip. “That doesn’t mean I have to feel comfortable with it.”
“Exactly what are you not comfortable with?” he demanded.
She turned away and mumbled, “Pretending to be your mistress.”
“And why is that?” She’d all but admitted to having been a prostitute. Why would pretending to be his mistress be all that difficult?
“It matters not. I will do my job, and you will pay me my wages when we are finished.”
Anthony released a frustrated sigh. “Victoria, just for once, could you be truthful with me?”
“Very well.” She walked back to the window and glanced out. “Because I cannot abide being in the same room as you.”
Why did this surprise him? He’d wondered how the woman could stand to be near him after what happened ten years ago. Now at least, she’d admitted the truth.
“You have nothing to fear from me, Victoria. I shall do nothing to cause you any pain. In fact, I will do my best not to come into the room until you are asleep.”
Turning back toward him, she grimaced. “We both know that will only cause talk. I will get over my abhorrence of the situation and make the best of it.”
“How will you do that?”
“I shall endeavor to enjoy the company and the food.”
He stepped closer. “And if I am forced to touch you in front of others?”
One blond eyebrow arched at him. “I shall do my best to act as if I am enjoying it.”
It suddenly struck him that she was lying. Perhaps it was his gambler’s intuition, but he knew a bluff when he saw one. And Victoria Seaton was bluffing.
“And if I’m forced to kiss you?” The soft tone of his voice underlied the anger he felt at her lying to him again.
“I shall be forced to endure it.”
“Shall we see just how you do at enduring my kisses?”
Before she could back away, he pulled her close and brought his lips down on hers. The anger that he felt at her lying softened as her lips opened slightly. Taking advantage, he deepened the kiss, savored the tentative touch of her tongue against his.
She pressed her body to his and lifted her arms to wrap around his neck. He still had some lingering doubts about her bluffing. For some reason she acted as if she wanted to push him away, but her kiss told him the opposite. But was her reaction a learned response from her profession? Did she like to play the innocent prostitute?
As she responded to him, his body begged him to walk her to the bed. He couldn’t do that while there was still the incident of ten years ago between them. She would hate him forever if he did. And for some odd reason, he didn’t want that.
Slowly he lifted away from her and smiled down at her bemused face. The look on her face was not the look of a woman enduring his kiss.
He lifted her chin upward. “If you keep kissing me like that, I might even believe you want me.”
At precisely six o’clock, they closed the door to their room and walked silently down the steps. The past three hours had been awash with tension for Victoria. After a kiss that nearly made her knees give out, she had attempted to stay away from him. But in such close quarters, there wasn’t much she could do.
He had stretched across the bed in a wholly inappropriate manner and napped for an hour. She watched the rise and fall of his chest as he slept. With his eyes closed, his face relaxed and he looked even more handsome. She had to get that image out of her head. The man was a rake. And her employer for the moment, nothing else.
“You look quite beautiful this evening,” he said as they reached the grand staircase.
“Thank you.”
“Do not show your nervousness, Victoria,” he whispered in her ear.
The heat of his breath sent shivers down her back. “I will not forget what I’m here to do.”
“Then show me.”
Victoria plastered a smile on her face and gave him a loving look. She reached over and touched his jaw with her gloved hand. His hazel eyes darkened to an emerald green.
“You have nothing to worry about, Somerton. I know my part.”
“Too well,” he muttered.
Stupid man thought she was some kind of strumpet. Perhaps she should tell him the truth, but for the moment, she wouldn’t. She needed the little distance they had between each other for her own sanity. Although after that kiss, she had almost told him everything. She didn’t understand his reaction to her. He wasn’t the type of man who should care if she’d been with several men. From what she’d heard, he frequented Lady Whitely’s house regularly.
“Let’s go,” he said and held out his arm to her.
She looped her arm with his and ignored the sensual awareness running up her arm. As they walked down the stairs, she kept the smile on her face and tried to pretend he really was her protector.
They entered the room together and heads turned to look at the woman on Somerton’s arm. The men smiled back at her appreciatively while some of the women glared in jealousy at her.
One man approached them slowly. With her arm linked with Somerton’s, she felt him tense as the man came closer.
“Somerton, interesting to see you here. I can only assume you could not resist Hannah’s invitation?”
“Farleigh, some day perhaps you will get over your jealousy.” Somerton led her away without even an introduction.
“That was rather rude,” she commented. “Especially to our host.”
“Leave it be, Mrs. Smith.”
He moved them off to the edge of the room. Victoria scanned the room for anyone she might know. Thankfully, Somerton seemed to be correct in his assumption that no one would know her.
Lord Farleigh approached them again, only this time with a beautiful woman with auburn hair leading him to them. The woman smiled at Somerton in an entirely inappropriate manner. Victoria glanced up to see a smile of appreciation on Somerton’s face.
She tried to ignore the stab of envy that attacked her. This woman was one of the most beautiful that Victoria had ever seen. The lady carried herself in a way that showed her confidence to everyone in the room.
“Somerton,” she said in a breathy tone.
“Lady Farleigh, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
Lady Farleigh looked down at Victoria. “And who is this little gem?”
“Lord and Lady Farleigh, this is Mrs. Anne Smith.” He pulled her slightly closer. “Anne, Lord and Lady Farleigh.”
Victoria curtsied with her eyes locked on the earl’s. She knew enough that mistresses were always looking for their next protector, and she could act no differently. Besides, after the interaction between Lady Farleigh and Somerton, she wanted a little retribution. Lord Farleigh took her hand and kissed it.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Smith. I do hope you and Lord Somerton will enjoy my little party.”
Little party? Victoria glanced around the room and counted at least fifty people. “Thank you, my lord. I am certain Somerton and I will enjoy ourselves.” She hoped the tone of her voice sounded flirtatious to the earl and told Lady Farleigh that Somerton was taken.
Somerton leveled her a swift glare. “Come along, Mrs. Smith. We have many more people to meet.”
As he dragged her away from the earl, he whispered in her ear, “Well done, Victoria
. Just don’t overplay your hand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your flirtatious manner might appear as encouragement to most men. They might even think you are looking for a new protector.”
Victoria laughed softly. “That is what a mistress does, my lord.”
He stopped and clasped her arm tightly. “Perhaps it is. But I would like everyone to believe you are my mistress only. You are not looking for another man. Do you understand?”
She attempted to pull her arm away to no avail. “Perfectly,” she bit out. “As long as you are not looking for another woman.”
“What do you mean by that?”
She rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t difficult to determine that Lady Farleigh had her eyes on you.”
“Perhaps she did,” he replied with a smirk.
Two younger men approached them with wary smiles on their faces.
“Somerton, how are you?” one of the men said.
“Very well, Singleton.”
Singleton looked down at Victoria with a leer. “Farleigh has outdone himself this time.”
“And who is this beauty?” a younger man asked, staring at Victoria’s breasts.
“Mrs. Smith, this is Lord Brentwood and Mr. Singleton.”
“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Smith,” Lord Brentwood said in an overly enthusiastic manner.
Victoria muttered a reply, suddenly eager to be away from this group. Their leering glances sent an odd sensation down her back.
“Are you all right?” Somerton queried. “You have become quite pensive since meeting the last group of people.”
“Those two men did nothing but stare at me in a totally lurid manner.”
His left brow rose. “And that comes as a surprise? You are a mistress and as such, fair game.”
“Well, I do not like it.”
He pulled out her chair for her. He took the seat next to her and leaned close to her ear again. “Then put all of your attention on me. I should be the only one you think of during dinner.”
“Why?”
“Then everyone understands you are only here for my pleasure.”
She sent him a feigned smile. “Of course, I am.”
During dinner, she watched him and spent most of her time making conversation with him and the couple across the table from them. She noticed the way he watched everyone at dinner, analyzing them. What was his reason for being here? He’d never told her anything, but she didn’t believe he would be here without a valid reason.
Even though the tone of the party was more casual and less reputable than she imagined the usual ton party was, the women were still expected to gather in the salon while the men had their brandy and cigars.
“Mrs. Smith,” a cultured voice called to her. “Might I have a word?”
“Yes, ma’am.” A sense of trepidation filled her as she strolled toward Lady Farleigh.
Lady Farleigh clasped Victoria’s arm and led her to the salon. “I could not help but notice the way you looked at that devil Somerton. He will not be an easy man to catch. But then again, neither was Farleigh.”
She didn’t want to say this as Lady Farleigh appeared to be such a friendly woman, but Victoria had no choice. “Lady Farleigh, I am nothing to him but a mistress.”
The woman laughed softly as they entered the salon. “As was I to Farleigh. You must make yourself something more than a mistress to catch him.”
Victoria stopped and looked at the woman. “You were his…?”
“Yes, my dear. Going from mistress to countess is no easy task. But it can be done. Should you need any assistance in this matter, please know you can come to me.”
“Thank you, Lady Farleigh.”
“Please call me Hannah.”
Victoria smiled at the woman. She had no desire to become Somerton’s mistress or wife but Lady Farleigh did not need to know that. “Thank you, Hannah.”
Chapter Ten
As the evening progressed with no sign of Marcus Hardy, Anthony’s frustration grew. How was he to watch Hardy when the man was not in attendance? What if Ainsworth’s information was incorrect? Anthony had been doing these “odd” jobs for Ainsworth for almost ten years. It would not be the first time some piece of misinformation had been given to him.
But after ten years, he was tired of the game playing, lying, and secrets. The first few years had helped take his mind off the reality of his family situation. After discovering his dead mother was a brothel owner, he had almost gone mad. And then what he’d done to Victoria had only made things worse.
He could not stand to be in the same house as his lying father and had taken every job Ainsworth had given him. When Anthony finally made amends with his mother, he had slowly realized running from his problems would not work. Six years ago, he decided he had to find Victoria and at least apologize for his actions. He had only planned to apologize and assist her monetarily. Instead, he’d dragged her down into his life of lies.
Glancing over at her, he smiled. She appeared in deep conversation with Farleigh’s wife, Hannah.
“Can’t keep your eyes off of her, can you?”
Anthony blinked and looked over at Nicholas. Now he had to make conversation about her. “Can you blame me?”
Nicholas laughed soundly. “Not at all. I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.”
“Exactly.”
Nicholas lowered his voice, “So what is the real reason you chose to come here this week?”
Anthony clenched his jaw. “I have been out of the country for several months. I thought this might be a nice time to relax with Mrs. Smith.”
“Right. So instead of ensconcing her in a lovely little cottage, you take her to a party where you know there will be nothing but degenerate men.” Nicholas laughed again. “Yes, it makes perfect sense to me.”
“Stay out of my life,” Anthony replied. Sometimes he wondered how different his life would have been if Nicholas and Trey hadn’t dragged him to the brothel.
“Absolutely.” Nicholas glared at him then stood and walked out of the room.
Instead of partaking in any of the gaming that occupied the back room, Anthony walked around the rooms looking once more for Hardy. The man still had not made an appearance. Asking Farleigh might bring suspicion upon Anthony should Farleigh be involved in the plot.
He walked back into the salon and toward Victoria. He desperately needed a good night’s sleep and doubted he would get that with her next to him. Holding out his hand to her, he said, “I believe it’s time to retire, Mrs. Smith.”
“So formal, Somerton,” Hannah said with a sensual smile. “I believe it is acceptable for you to call her Anne.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
Victoria accepted his hand and stood. “I don’t mind at all.” She glanced back at Hannah and said with a smile, “It only matters what he calls me in private.”
Hannah raised her brown brows. “I suppose you are right. Good night.”
If only it would be a good night, Anthony thought. He held out his arm for Victoria and led her upstairs. “You did very well tonight.”
“Thank you,” she replied stiffly. “I thought I should come speak with you after the gentlemen returned from their brandies, but Hannah wanted me to stay and talk with her.”
“You did the right thing. What did you two talk about?”
“She would like my help with some decorating. She wants greens brought in and placed on the mantels, mistletoe bunches hung, and big Yule logs in the fireplaces. I have never heard of doing all this, especially with Christmas still two weeks away.”
Anthony chuckled. “They want everyone to enjoy themselves and they feel Christmas fills people with goodwill. Just enjoy it.”
“I did like speaking with Lady Farleigh,” she commented.
“Hannah is a lovely woman. I’ve known her a long time.” Anthony opened the door to their room.
“I’m sure you have,” she retorted.
Hearing the bitter tone in her voi
ce made him wonder what exactly she and Hannah had discussed. He closed the door behind them. “What do you want to know, Victoria?”
She crossed the thick carpet and sank into a brocade chair. “Were you intimate with her?”
He leaned against the door and folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe that is any of your business.”
“Indeed? You wanted to know all about my past. I think I have a right to ask the same questions.” She stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “So how many women have you bedded?”
“You sound like a jealous wife, not a mistress who should be doing everything she can to make me happy.”
“Make you happy? I am only a pretend mistress, remember?”
“You don’t have to be,” he whispered. The way her arms were over her chest only pronounced the soft curves of her breasts.
She smirked at him. “You cannot change the rules now.”
“I can do anything I want,” he said in a soft voice.
“Not without my permission.”
Her words were like a bucket of cold water dumped on him. “You are right, of course.”
“Why don’t you go back to Lady Farleigh? I am certain she would be happy to see you again.”
He stared at her until she looked away. “Perhaps I will. At least with her, I would have a nice warm body next to me.”
Her eyes widened as she comprehended the insult he’d given her. “You may take the bed tonight. I shall take my cold body and sleep out here.”
He walked to the door, furious that this slip of a woman could heighten his anger so quickly. All he wanted was a good night’s sleep. He would not get that until the wench went to sleep.
“I might be more comfortable in another bed.” He strode to the door and slammed it behind him.
The soft pink rays of morning streamed in through a small slit in the draperies. Victoria closed her eyes tighter. It could not be morning yet. Seeing the pale sunlight, she realized that she had slept longer this morning than in years. Every morning she was up by six, usually because several of the children were awake by then. Knowing it was futile to try to get back to sleep, she opened her eyes.
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