Enticing Eve: Scandalous Secrets, Book 2

by Tracy Goodwin

  Her maternal edict embarrassed him – not because the Dowager Viscountess made the statement, but because kissing Eve was precisely what Colin longed to do once he’d escorted Eve outside.

  “Yes, Lady Weston,” his tone was solemn as tossed his napkin on the table then rose, glancing in her granddaughter’s direction.

  Obeying the Viscountess’s instructions wouldn’t be easy.

  Eve sent him a pleading look from the doorway. When Colin joined her, she hurried him into the grand hall.

  “Quick,” she whispered as she glanced over her shoulder. “If Pear sees I haven’t eaten, she’ll insist I finish my plate.”

  When Colin failed to quicken his pace, Eve added, “And she will insist you have at least one more serving.”

  Colin grabbed her hand and both began to dart down the hallway as Eve smothered her laughter with her free hand. By the time they reached the cool night air, Eve was laughing so hard that she was tearing.

  Once they reached the gardens, Eve placed her hands on her abdomen as she leaned forward, her shoulders shaking with mirth. “I had no idea you were frightened by a slightly senile cook.”

  “It has just occurred to me that Pear would make it easier for our military to achieve victory,” Colin announced as he surveyed Eve, bathed in moonlight, standing straight in a valiant attempt to stop laughing. When she shot him a disbelieving look, he continued. “It’s true. If she begins cooking for England’s enemies, they won’t live to fight us and if, by some miracle they did manage to survive, they’d no doubt surrender.”

  “That, Mister MacAlistair may be considered cruel and unusual punishment,” Eve teased as she strolled into the maze of tall shrubbery that led to the estate’s elaborate gardens.

  “It’s good to hear you laugh.” His words were rich with an emotion he didn’t attempt to conceal. “When you left last night, I didn’t think I’d ever hear you laugh again.”

  She turned a corner before peeking around a meticulously-manicured shrub. Though her face was half-hidden, Colin could still discern her sweet smile. “I didn’t think I would either, but seeing as that meal almost killed me, I feel it is wise for me to take a respite this evening. I may, of course, continue to flay myself tomorrow.”

  She then fanned the greenery with her hands before continuing farther into the gardens with Colin quick on her heels. He expected her to be angry with him when he arrived and was instead met with a beguiling smile and teasing remarks. Such behavior threw him completely off guard, in part because he had never seen her behave in such a manner. Of course she had flirted with him before, however, this was different. In their brief history together, Eve always did so with restraint.

  Not on this night. It was as if she had nothing to lose. It was as if she had already resigned herself to marrying him. Colin’s heart leapt at the thought. He expected a struggle, but what if she wanted to marry him?

  Could it be that effortless?

  He followed her to a clearing where the moonlight illuminated flowers of all shapes and sizes in addition to a large circular fountain with a statuette in the center. He studied the armor clad warrior-goddess statue, holding her shield with pride, recognizing it at once to be a rendering of Athena.

  How ironic, Colin thought. Here he was in the presence of a stone Athena, the goddess of noble warfare, when he knew all too well that war could be anything but just. No, even if intentions are righteous, war can turn men into beasts. The war he fought did just that. It turned men into greedy manipulators capable of turning on their own people to get what they wanted.

  He shook his head in an attempt to shake off such memories, instead concentrating on Eve, now sitting on the stone bench before the Greek goddess surveying the night sky above. Her serene form, bathed in the opalescent hue of the moonlight, left him breathless. Athena may have been the Greeks’ deity, but she didn’t compare to the English siren in crimson and gold seated before him.

  Colin was certain a more beautiful woman never breathed.

  “You are very quiet this evening,” Eve said, her head still tilted upward. “I hope my companionship isn’t boring you.”

  “Never,” he answered, his tone emanating a dreamy quality he had never heard before. Self-conscious, and certain he was behaving like a besotted fool, he decided to walk, deflecting her attention to anywhere, anyone but himself.

  A stray twig snapped beneath his feet as he crossed the grass then joined her on the bench, the soothing sound of the fountain filling the still evening air.

  He surveyed the statue once more as Athena stood watch over them. Athena was indeed impressive. The smooth stone depicted her in all her glory, wearing her armor and carrying her shield. Colin’s attention was drawn to Athena’s smooth visage. Round and cherub-like, it was the complete opposite of how he pictured the great warrior goddess. In truth, the more he studied the statue, the more she resembled the Viscountess – in her younger days, of course, but the Viscountess nonetheless.

  Colin blinked, certain he must be imagining things. Upon further inspection, he recognized that the angelic visage of Athena was indeed that of the Dowager Viscountess.

  “Eve,” he said, his tone playful. “I knew your grandmother was extraordinary, however, I had no idea she was also a Greek goddess.”

  “Very perceptive,” she replied with a jaunty smile.

  If Colin didn’t know better, he’d swear he saw admiration reflected in her emerald eyes. The mere thought caused his pulse to quicken. Or could it be her close proximity? Colin couldn’t discern. It was all he could do to concentrate on what Eve was saying.

  “I must admit that I’m impressed. Most of our visitors take no notice,” Eve turned towards him. “There is a story behind Athena.”

  “Of course there is. There is always a story behind Athena, is there not?” he quipped.

  Her smile widened, and for one brief moment he thought she would kiss him. He didn’t know why. Maybe it was the way her eyes danced, or the way her mouth curved.

  Perhaps he imagined it?

  He must have for Eve continued their conversation as if she had no idea of the unexpected disappointment now gnawing at Colin’s core.

  “When my grandparents were first married, Grandmamma insisted they erect a statue of Athena to remind future generations of a woman’s strength, wisdom, and courage. The statue is to affirm that we are strong and can survive anything.”

  “Your grandmother is quite a woman,” he said with open admiration.

  “Yes, she is,” Eve’s smile grew wider. “And my grandfather knew it. So, he commissioned the artist to create the sculpture my grandmother had requested, with one stipulation – that Athena resemble Grandmamma.”

  Colin had to admit Eve’s grandfather was an incurable romantic. “I’m surprised she agreed to it.”

  “Oh, no, Grandmamma never knew of it,” Eve shook her head, eyes wide as she continued with her tale. “Grandpapa kept it a secret until the sculpture’s unveiling. As I understand it, it was the lone occasion that my grandmother ever blushed.”

  “It sounds like your grandparents loved each other very much. Doesn’t the ton consider that a sacrilege?” Colin said, taking care that his tone remained gentle in spite of his cynical words.

  “My grandparents were unconventional,” she tilted her head up to the sky once more, her voice now faint. “I was intimidated by my grandmother when I was a child. Like now, her resolve was so strong, her personality larger than life. I often feared I would never measure up to her.”

  Colin reached for her cheek, brushing a stray blonde wisp from her face. He leaned closer towards her, so close that the intoxicating scent of roses again tickled his nose. “I think you resemble her more than you know.”

  Eve considered his statement. She was similar to her grandmother in some aspects except where it counted the most. If the elder woman were in Eve’s place, she would have accepted Colin’s betrothal offer without a second thought, without fear of appearing senseless, without fea
r of appraisal. Throughout her life, love had always guided the Viscountess of Haversham.

  What guides me? Eve wondered. Fear. Yes, fear. Despite her best efforts and avowals to be strong and brave, she still lacked the courage to accept Colin’s proposal without fear of censure or heartache, without fear of trusting him and having said trust broken once again.

  Colin tucked another stray tendril behind her ear, his warm, gentle fingertips causing the hairs on the back of her neck to prickle. Eve realized she was holding her breath, but she didn’t want to move, didn’t want to breathe for fear he’d pull away from her.

  There it was again, the fear. What was she so frightened of? Loving him? Marrying him? Not marrying him? Eve feared she wouldn’t be happy with him yet she was certain she would never be happy without him.

  She glanced over her shoulder once more and made the most important decision of her life. She was going to face her fears. Yes, just like Athena, it was now Eve’s turn to be brave.

  As Athena was her witness, Eve silently vowed to fight for the man she loved. She wanted him, and she would fight for him all the while adhering to her plan, ensuring that her pride wouldn’t suffer.

  Illuminated by the cool glow of the moon, her strategy had already begun to take shape. It was a very good strategy, indeed. If she executed it to perfection, Colin would never know the extent to which she loved him nor quite how much she wanted a life with him.

  Her pride would be protected.

  And Colin would never know what hit him.

  “I realize this may not be the right time,” Eve said, her cadence cloying as she faced Colin once more, “but I believe we must discuss what transpired last evening.”

  Eve traced her mouth with her forefinger, drawing his attention to those full, rosy lips he wanted to kiss to distraction. Colin gave himself a mental shake. “Have you considered my offer?”

  “I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything else.”

  “And?”

  “I am considering your proposal,” she announced.

  Considering it? That didn’t sound promising.

  Eve then added, “It is noble of you to offer to marry me, but it isn’t fair to you – marrying me based upon one kiss. Someday, if we’re compatible, perhaps …”

  Her words hovered in the still night air.

  Someday, if we’re compatible….

  “Wait!” he held up his hand. “You know what transpired between us last night. Compatibility is not an issue, I can assure you of that.”

  “Be that as it may, I still have no idea where you went, or why you didn’t return. We have much to review, do we not?”

  No, the last thing Colin needed was time to explain what a monster he’d become. He considered Athena again. Did the goddess feel guilty after battle? How would things have been different if she were in charge of the battles Colin fought?

  Colin considered Greek history. Athena represented strength and bravery, wisdom, and just warfare. She was honorable. Colin needed to remind Eve that the honorable thing for them to do would be to marry.

  It was now imperative.

  “If we don’t marry, your reputation will be in ruins. Your grandmother will be scandalized, Eve,” he reminded her.

  “Yes, that is a possibility but then again, nothing may come of it. Regardless, we don’t know each other anymore. Perhaps we can marry next year or the year after? Once we can clearly look into our hearts without the pressure of looming scandal.”

  She patted him on the thigh then stood, “We should return to the house.”

  Colin shook his head. “No, this conversation isn’t finished.”

  “What is your sudden rush to marry me?” Eve asked, her tone and expression exuding innocence. “It’s been three years since you first proposed to me and you weren’t in a hurry then, when you supposedly loved me. What is the rush now aside from a sense of propriety you never felt three years ago?”

  I still love you. He wanted to say it. The words were on the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn’t express the depth of his emotions for her. Somehow, Colin suspected that if he admitted to loving her, there was a strong chance Eve wouldn’t reciprocate his feelings, and he didn’t think he could survive such a slight. She didn’t trust him. Why would she entrust her heart to him now, on this night?

  Colin said the one thing that came to him, “Delaying the inevitable will only beget more gossip.”

  “I don’t care about idle chatter,” Eve stood in defiance and took several steps away from him before turning to meet his gaze. “Nor do I care what the ton says about me, or thinks about me—”

  “Well, it is high time you start,” Colin stood as Eve turned to walk away. He grabbed her arm. “Oh, no, you don’t. You don’t leave here until we’ve settled this.”

  “Settle what? I will not marry you simply because my reputation may or may not be ruined.”

  “It’s not just your reputation our marriage will protect, Eve, it’s that of your grandmother. Or would you like to put her through such a scandal?”

  Eve took a deep breath, her fists clenched at her sides. “I’m not rushing into a marriage to please a group of pompous hypocrites!”

  “Yes, you will,” Colin said through clenched teeth. “Even if it means I carry you over my shoulder and take you to Gretna Green this evening.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I can see how careful you are to avoid disgrace at all costs.”

  Colin crossed his arms over his chest, aware that his temper was hindering him. “Eve—”

  “Arguing is fruitless. The more you insist upon our betrothal, the more I will fight against it.” Eve shook her skirts.

  True enough. Colin always knew Eve possessed a stubborn streak, though it was more pronounced now than ever before.

  He wondered if she could resist a challenge.

  “We are not leaving this garden until we have come to a mutual decision,” he insisted. “So what do you suggest we do? Flip a coin? Or will you do what is honorable, for the sake of your grandmother, and marry me?”

  “Marriage isn’t a game, Colin,” She stood in defiance, her figure bathed in moonlight. “If it were, we could simply play a game of billiards. Winner takes all and be done with it.”

  “Brilliant!” he whispered.

  “I beg your pardon?” Eve bit her cheek to resist the urge to smile. Colin had just walked right into her trap. It had been easier to convince him than she had thought possible.

  “How about it?”

  “Colin, we are discussing marriage. We can’t simply—”

  “Yes, we can,” his timbre was smooth as a fine port, “unless my challenge has frightened you?”

  Eve arched her brow, choosing to remain silent.

  “If I win, our betrothal ceremony will take place by the end of the week,” Colin said behind a smug smile.

  “And if I am victorious?” she asked.

  “You gain your freedom.”

  Eve paused, feigning indecision before adding, “I don’t know.”

  Colin’s rich baritone was playful, “Did I hit a nerve? Surely you aren’t afraid that you’ll lose?”

  “Mister MacAlistair,” Eve said, placing her hands on her hips, her expression prim, “to infer that a woman is incapable of winning a game of billiards is quite insulting.”

  “I did not infer a woman can’t win at billiards,” he arched his brow. “I inferred that you might lose. There is a difference.”

  Eve surveyed him through narrowed eyes. He was so confident, so certain of his victory, that she would enjoy meeting his challenge and making him sweat.

  “You could prove me wrong,” he offered her his arm. “There is, after all, no time like the present.”

  She allowed him another smug grin before linking her arm in his. “Let the games begin, Mister MacAlistair.”

  As they returned to the main house, Eve was certain her plan was foolproof. Possessing the upper hand, she would maintain control.

  Eve Weston was
determined to get what she wanted, which meant that so too would Colin though he would never suspect that she had played him long before their game of billiards ever began.

  Chapter 11

  Colin and Eve reached the billiard room in record time. The hearth was ablaze, emanating a warm orange glow while a colorful Persian rug, worn brown leather sofa and matching overstuffed chairs accentuated the cozy space. Tapestries hung on walls lined with rich mahogany paneling. In all, it was as if Colin had stepped into London’s most renowned gentleman’s club.

  Nothing in the grand room was as impressive as the billiard table in its center. Carved out of marble, it was an exquisite work of art and must have cost a fortune. Colin was so enamored that he whistled.

  “Have you never before seen a billiard table?” Eve quizzed as she crossed the room. “I dare say my victory will be swift.”

  Colin smiled at her newfound confidence while assessing the engraved marble before him, his fingertips trailing against the cool stone as he added, “I’ve never seen a billiard table like this. You and your grandmother are both so unpretentious that I forget that you are nobility – that you’re the daughter of a Viscount.”

  “I was the daughter of a Viscount,” Eve stood in front of an intricately carved mahogany table at the far wall where she removed two ivory cues from a marble box. “Now, most in the ton consider me to be a commoner,” she announced as she again walked the span of the room before placing them upon the wool-lined billiard table.

  The cues, Colin noted, were as elaborately engraved as the table itself.

  Eve, too, stood admiring them. “My grandfather loved billiards and considered the game an art form. ‘Why should the tools be anything less?’ he would espouse.” Her tender tone conveyed how much she loved the man.

  “Your grandfather sounds quite philosophical,” Colin didn’t take his eyes off of her. “What would he make of your last statement?”

  “What, that I’m not well respected by the ton?” Eve shrugged her shoulders and turned, heading back to the table where she found their cues. Colin followed her noting a large ivory box that he assumed housed the balls.