Three Rogues and Their Ladies - A Regency Trilogy

by G. G. Vandagriff

* * *

  Serena was only in the process of removing herself to the Dower House, so the Marchioness’s apartment was not yet free. Therefore, Kate was occupying a guest room down the hall from her husband’s suite, which she considered an ideal circumstance. After an evening of conversation, during which Jack elected to tell his mother of his career as a spy catcher, including the details of Kate’s kidnapping, they all adjourned upstairs.

  Once his mother was out of hearing, he said, “I would see you in my sitting room, Kate.”

  Chin up, she followed him into a room just as cold as the rest of the house. Having taken her mother-in-law’s advice, she was swathed in shawls. Moving to the fireplace, she said indifferently, “You must spend a fortune on coal, my lord.”

  “Do not my lord me, Kate. You know how it irritates me.”

  “I would not irritate you for the world, my lord.”

  “That’s good, then. Have a seat, Kate. I mean to apologize.”

  Taking the chair closest to the fire, she looked around her. The room was hung with hunting tapestries and heavy, navy blue velvet drapes. Not terribly cheerful.

  “I did not realize until I was almost in London why I ripped up at you, Kate. I am sorry. The fact of the matter is, I was deuced worried about you. I had just escaped by the skin of my teeth from your cousin’s house. The idea of what would have happened to you, had you stumbled into that situation as innocent as you were, frightened me exceedingly.”

  “Whyever did that make you angry?”

  “It is how I am made, I suppose. When things are out of my control, I get angry. When someone I care deeply about is threatened, I apparently become angry. This is the first time that has ever happened to me. I suggest that you see it as a measure of my concern.”

  “No. I do not foresee being able to do that, Jack. I think there are more acceptable ways of your demonstrating your concern. Kind and caring ways.”

  “I did not have time to be kind and caring! I wanted you to be scared out of your wits at your foolishness!”

  “Was it foolish to think you might have been shot? We have been over this.”

  He stood. “Let’s not argue, Kate. Remember what it was like in the carriage?” He drew her to her feet, and though she forced herself to remain stiff with outrage, he pulled her to him and surrounded her with his arms. “We are married now. Remember?”

  To her surprise, she realized that in spite of her presence in his home, she had almost forgotten that vital fact. “It seems impossible. We did not even have a courtship.”

  “Ah, but it was you who wanted a marriage of convenience.”

  “And you wanted to marry for love. Do not think I have forgotten that you refused me.”

  “And do not think that I have forgotten that you said you loved another.”

  Kate bit her lower lip. What a coil!

  “I have an idea,” he said.

  “What is it?”

  “Let us pretend that we are lovers. That we are on an island somewhere alone with no chance of rescue. We discover that we are madly attracted to one another.” He leaned in and kissed her under the left ear, as gently as though his lips were a snowflake landing on her skin. With this simple act, her heart performed a flip, and his closeness made her weak in the knees.

  He proceeded to kiss the end of her left eyebrow in the same manner. Then he passed on to the tip of her nose. By the time he met her lips, her eyes had shut dreamily, and she found herself kissing him back with all the desire that had accumulated in her since he had first kissed her days before. Francesco had never kissed her like this. Jack took her lower lip into his mouth, and she felt his tongue caress it.

  Meanwhile, his hands were roaming her body. At first, a tiny part of her was alarmed, then she remembered that she was married. She leaned into his masculine length, feeling the muscles of the broad chest that she had once bathed during his fever. As her desire was becoming a wild thing, she arched her back sinuously and put her arms around his neck. She ran her hands through those chestnut curls that she loved so dearly.

  He suddenly lifted her up into his arms and carried her through his sitting room into what must be his bedroom. There, their passion became a fire, and amidst flying garments, she learned how to become his wife in deed. For the very first time in her life, Kate surrendered herself completely to another person. And it was not frightening. It was lovely.

  “Umm,” Jack murmured as she settled herself in the crook of his shoulder. “That worked rather well, I think.”

  She slept the night through.

  * * *

  When Kate awoke the next morning, she stretched like a cat, moving against the still-sleeping form of her husband. Without opening his eyes, he pulled her into his arms. “Good morning, my Kate. Did you sleep well?”

  “I do not recall ever sleeping so well.”

  “Nor do I. What would you like to do today?”

  She ran her finger down the length of his perfect nose. “I think I would like to stay right here. Is that very wicked?”

  He began to kiss her as hungrily as the night before, and she lost herself in their bonding.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  HONEYMOON CONTINUED

  Jack had known that his wife could be a passionate lover, but he did not know if she would choose to surrender herself to him. It could only be a miracle. Somehow, he had tamed his Kate. At least, for this short space of time. He longed to tell her of his love for her, but did not wish to remind her that she loved another. Francesco did not belong in their bed.

  “I knew it could be this way between us the first time I saw you,” he said instead.

  “Did I look like a scarlet woman?”

  “Not at all, but there was passion in every line of your body. I knew you did not even realize it. I wanted to harness that passion, and now I have.”

  “Harness? I am no animal, Jack!” She sat up in bed, clutching the blankets over her bosom.

  “Kate, do not be so confounded quick to take offense at how I express myself.” He ran a warm palm over her back and then began to rain little kisses up her spine to her neck. “Are you ready to go down for luncheon?” he said, laughing. “Or do you want to remain here until dinner?”

  “I am hungry. I cannot imagine what I have been doing to work up such an appetite.”

  “I have not yet congratulated you on winning over my mother in nigh impossible circumstances.”

  “No, you have not. It was not an easy task. She asked Cumming to put all the valuables in the safe.”

  “Did she really?”

  “She was convinced I was an imposter.”

  Chuckling, he pulled her down beside him and began kissing her with renewed energy.

  When at last they were dressed and had gone downstairs, it was indeed time for luncheon. Jack descended first, finding his mother reading in the vast red-and-gold drawing room.

  “Good afternoon, dear Mama!”

  “You are enjoying your delayed honeymoon, I deduce.”

  “Yes. All in the line of duty, you know. I must have an heir.”

  “You love her, do you not?”

  “With all my heart, as a matter of fact, though I dare not tell her so.”

  “And why is that?”

  “She thinks she is still in love with an Italian Lothario she met at seventeen whom she was forbidden to marry. Fancies herself a star-crossed lover. My Kate is somewhat of an Original.”

  His mother chuckled. “I had guessed that. But she loves you. She as much as told me so. Give her some time to realize it.”

  At that moment, his wife came into the room, blooming in a gown of primrose yellow.

  “Good morning, Serena. What are you reading?”

  “Moll Flanders. It is a bit naughty, I am afraid.”

  “Excessively naughty, I have heard!” Jack said. He and his wife approached his mother together and kissed her at the same time on each of her cheeks. Mama beamed.

  During luncheon, Kate said, “I must wri
te Joey and tell him we will be coming to Eton next week. Hopefully, he can hold out until then, poor love.”

  “I suspect the boy is hardier than you give him credit for, my dear,” Serena said. “I will be writing invitations this afternoon. Many are in town for the Season, of course, but I should like to present you to those of my neighbors who are still here. Was there an announcement in the papers, Jack?”

  “I wanted you to be the first to know, Mama. If you had read it in the papers before we told you, I knew it would hurt you exceedingly.”

  “Well thank heavens for that, at least. But you must send an announcement directly, Jack.”

  “I will. And I also need to have Copeland here as soon as possible. Kate has given me a splendid wedding gift. I am going to set up as a horse breeder, and need to enlarge the stables.”

  They discussed Apollo, and Kate ventured her idea of creating a flower garden.

  “Oh, that would be splendid! I am no gardener,” Serena said. “I prefer books.”

  “Mama is a clandestine authoress,” Jack told his wife.

  “Famous!” said Kate. “What do you write?”

  “Gothic romance. Undoubtedly, you have heard of Maria Stephenson of the Minerva Press?”

  “Of course. I read her works avidly.”

  “That is I.”

  “Oh! Merciful heavens! I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Stephenson.”

  And so luncheon passed off well. As did the rest of the day.

  Then came the night, which was splendid.

  “Oh, Jack,” his beloved said as she was about to go to sleep, “I think I have died and gone to Paradise.”

  He smiled to himself, and as a new well-being suffused him, he gathered her into his arms and felt the silk of her wondrous auburn hair spread over his chest.

  “There is only you in my world tonight,” he said softly, curiously moved.

  * * *

  The following afternoon, they met his mother at the luncheon table once again. Her eyes were full of mischief. “I am going to suggest that you children go riding this afternoon and see a bit of the world outside. Jack, you must show your bride your estate.”

  “What a lovely idea,” Kate said. “The sun is actually shining, Jack. Your room is so dark and dreary.”

  “It is masculine,” he said.

  “What do you think about the color gold?”

  “What particular aspect of that color are we discussing?”

  “Its properties as a masculine color.”

  “Hmm. It has possibilities.”

  “I shall send to London for some sample fabrics,” his mother said.

  * * *

  He took Apollo out and introduced his wife to his two-year old mare, Athena. “It is fitting for my Venus to be carried through my estate by another goddess.”

  “Base flattery, Jack. I never would have looked for such words from you.”

  “Have I not told you that I secretly named you Venus the first time I met you?”

  “You did not!”

  “I did. Then and now, I think you magnificent!”

  Standing on the mounting block, she put her foot in the stirrup and allowed him to help her onto her side saddle. She looked down at him, her eyes serious. “Mayhap some day you will fall in love with me.”

  “Mayhap I will. And mayhap some day, you will fall in love with me.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  IN WHICH A DOUBLE THREAT APPEARS

  When Kate and Jack returned from an extensive tour of the estate, she said as she dismounted, “I feel I am married to a very important person.”

  “You actually doubted it?”

  “Your estate is far more splendid than Papa’s.”

  “By the time our son inherits it, it will be more splendid yet.”

  A little thrill warmed her breast as she heard this mention of the child they would have. “Yes, the improvements you are planning will enhance it greatly. I particularly agree that the tenants’ housing needs considerable attention.” As they walked toward the house, she said, “It was not important to your father, I gather. You never speak of him.”

  Jack beat a tattoo against his knee with his riding crop and did not take up this gambit.

  “Nor does your mother,” she said.

  “It is not a happy topic, Kate.”

  Surprised at his suddenly dour mood, she said, “I apologize. I had no idea.”

  Stopping, he turned to face her, hands on her shoulders. “No. You are right. You have a right to know. Father was somewhat of a sadist. It was a happy day for my mother and me when he went to his reward last year.”

  Kate looked into his sherry eyes. They were unwontedly serious. “However did you manage to develop your basically sunny temperament?”

  “He sent me to Eton when I was eight. I met with great friendship there. It is not such a horrible place. I threw myself into the sporting life.”

  “And became a top-of-the-trees Corinthian.”

  “Yes. During the holidays, I stayed with friends. I was almost never here.”

  “What of your mother? How did she cope? Did he beat her, Jack?”

  “It is hard to imagine, is it not? Hers is not a personality that would tolerate that treatment. Mama told me after he died that she had Cumming, who is a crack shot, teach her to use a pistol. She slept with one under her pillow. Whenever he came to her chamber, she threatened him with it. But her crusty temperament, as you have seen, is a mere façade. I am so glad that she holds you in affection. She does not trust easily. You are helping to make her life happier, Kate.”

  “I am glad. She certainly deserves happiness. I cannot imagine your mother cowed in such a manner. Or you, for that manner.”

  “Mama is a remarkable person. She took up novel writing as an escape from her hellish marriage.”

  “And your brother? I saw his likeness above the stairs. You have never mentioned him either.”

  He lowered his eyes. Putting an arm about her waist, he urged her toward the house. “As a second son, he went to sea. He was killed at Trafalgar. We do not talk about him. That subject is still far too tender.”

  She drew herself up with resolution. “We will make this a happy home, Jack. I am going to begin by tearing down all the heavy draperies and letting in the sunshine. Instead of dreary dark colors, we are going to have sunny shades. Gold, butter yellow, salmon. And I would prefer never to sleep in your father’s bed again. Until we have it replaced, we will sleep in my guest room.”

  Her husband stopped and took her into his arms, cradling her head with one hand against his chest. “Has anyone ever mentioned that you are fond of your own way, Kate?”

  She smiled to herself. “It is an endearing trait, do you not think so?”

  “I will reserve judgment on that.” He kissed the end of her nose and grinned. “Enough of sad topics! The monster is dead and gone. Let us go inside.”

  As soon as they entered through the French doors into the library, Kate heard footsteps in the hall that she recognized as Cumming’s. He intercepted them before they could reach the hall.

  “You have guests,” the butler informed them.

  “What the devil?” Jack said.

  “Yes, my lord. Precisely.”

  “Who has the temerity to come calling at this late hour?”

  “The Marquis of Cleaverings and Count Cortini.”

  Kate felt a blow to her chest and blinked repeatedly. “Francesco?”

  Her husband stiffened beside her. “You may go, Cumming.”

  Jack paced the library carpet. “Deuced bad taste to come calling here during our honeymoon!” He looked into her face. “Did you know that your old lover was coming to pay you a visit?”

  “He did write that he intended to do so . . . but Jack! I wrote back and told him it was useless. Months ago. I told him about the Horrible Will.”

  Jack’s lips were tight, his eyes accusing. “You will persist in seeing yourself as a heroine in a melodrama.”


  “That is not fair! I did not even know you existed then. And what of the Marquis? Is he not your deadly enemy? What are we to do? Do you suppose he has come here with the intent to do you harm?”

  “The insufferable cheek of him to bring that Lothario to this house when we are just married!”

  “Jack, think! Francesco is not important here. It is worse that Cleaverings is a traitor, is it not? And that you know it. That you can expose him.”

  “He is not certain. Do not betray by so much as a look that you know that. Welcome your dear Cousin Freddie. But remember you are a married woman, Kate.”

  Kate’s emotions were in such a turmoil that she did not know whether she was more afraid for Jack’s life or angry at his presumption that she would behave badly with Francesco.

  “I must change out of my riding habit. Then I will be down directly,” she said.

  Jack said, “I will change as well. Come to my sitting room when you are ready to go down, Kate. We will present a united front.” He opened the library door and summoned Cumming. “Do not offer them refreshments. This is to be a very short visit,” he said.

  “They have brought luggage, my lord. Her ladyship, the dowager, is with them now. She did not suspect that the marchioness’s cousin would not be welcome and has had their belongings carried to the north wing.”

  Jack sighed heavily. “Very well, Cumming.”

  * * *

  When Kate entered the drawing room where she had first encountered the dowager, she was on the arm of her husband, having decided to present the front of a grande dame.

  Francesco still wore his shoulder-length wavy hair loose in a style that reminded her very much of the Botticelli portrait she had taken Jack to view. Dressed in a black velvet jacket with white lace at his throat and wrists and black pantaloons, his eyes were stormy with dark emotion. Compared to Jack, he was a mere stripling.

  Kate’s toes curled inside her shoes with embarrassment. She felt very foolish for clinging to a childhood infatuation.

  “Hullo, Cousin Freddie, I hope you left Emily well? Buona sera, Francesco.” Her voice betrayed her with a tiny quiver and Jack looked at her sharply.