In the Garden of Temptation

by Cynthia Wicklund

  “Is that what he meant when he said you deserted him?” Catherine asked.

  “I’m afraid so. He felt our leaving gave credence to the rumors surrounding him, and we’d left him here to bear the brunt of his supposed crimes. The talk eventually died down, but Edgar vowed never to forgive me, and he was nothing if not spiteful. We did not heal the rift between us,” he said in obvious regret.

  “I’m sure recounting this history has been painful, but I appreciate your candor. It helps me to understand Edgar better. Much of what he did was baffling to me.”

  “No doubt,” he concurred. “When do you leave?”

  “This evening after the funeral.”

  “Your young man is here?”

  Catherine was uncomfortable for the first time. “You know of him then?”

  “I have contacts on the estate who keep me informed.” He smiled at her. “I am not unaware of what has been happening.”

  She gazed at him sadly, unable to think of anything to say.

  Edward pulled forward on his seat and took her hand across the short distance that separated them. “My dear, I was sincere when I told you I did not hold you responsible for Edgar’s predicament. He should never have taken advantage of your unfortunate situation to force a marriage. What he hoped to gain, I can’t imagine.”

  She noticed humor lines around his eyes as he spoke, and all at once he did not look like Edgar at all. Mesmerized by the kindness she saw reflected on his features, she realized that a gentle mind behind Edgar’s homely face would have made all the difference.

  “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your understanding. I won’t lie—it has been a trial.”

  “Is there anything of value on the estate that has come to mean something to you? I want you to feel free to take whatever you wish.”

  “Oh, absolutely not,” she said. “It would not be right.”

  “Come, come, there must be something after all these years.”

  “I can’t think of—” She stopped as a sudden thought struck her. “Well, perhaps…”

  “Tell me,” he encouraged her.

  “If you should ever decide to sell Edgar’s grays, I would like first crack at them.”

  His broke into a brilliant grin. “Ah, yes, the twin grays—my brother was obsessed with them, I’m told. I always thought it interesting he named them Cain and Abel. Somewhat ironic, don’t you think? They are yours,” he said magnanimously.

  “I couldn’t possibly.” Startled by his generosity, Catherine regretted having made the suggestion.

  “It’s settled,” he insisted as he came to his feet. “I’m not much of a horseman, so it causes me no pain to part with them. I thank you for making it so easy for me. Now, I think it’s time I became reacquainted with my home.”

  He did have a trait in common with his brother, she thought ruefully as she watched him leave. He could bully one into doing a thing that seemed totally unsuitable. Truthfully, though, she was secretly pleased.

  *****

  The funeral had been dreary and Catherine felt drained. Her heart went out to Edward Bourgeault, for she sensed real grief there. He had done his best to remain aloof, but clearly he was having a difficult time of it. She suspected all the years and all the miles had not been enough to destroy the special bond that had existed between the brothers. And for Edgar’s sake she was glad there had been someone at that dreadful little ceremony who had sincerely mourned his passing.

  “Are you ready, my dear?”

  Adam joined Catherine at the foot of the staircase where she stood in the middle of a virtual sea of traveling bags, giving last minute instructions to a weeping Edna.

  Catherine nodded in his direction then turned back to the maid. “Come now, I told you it is only until we are settled. We’ll send for you just as soon as we are able.”

  “But who will care for Annabelle?” Edna bawled as she clutched said infant to her breast.

  “I think I’m up to the task,” Catherine said kindly, reaching for her baby. “I must take the wet-nurse, and with all this luggage there simply is not enough room for one more. Now buck up. The time will pass quickly.”

  “Yes, my lady.” The maid sniffed mistily as she ran the back of her hand across her pink nose.

  “Besides,” Catherine whispered, “Robby’s still here.”

  “Oh, my lady!” Edna turned an alarming shade of red, but she gave a watery giggle in response.

  The next Lord Bourgeault joined the group at that moment, and he smiled congenially. In all the years Catherine had been married to Edgar, she had never seen him wear an expression as pleasant as the one Edward now wore. Once again she was struck by how differently she would have felt about her husband had he been more like his brother.

  “I regret seeing you go, my dear,” Edward said as he took his sister-in-law’s hand. He cast his gaze about the great hall before bringing it back to rest on her. “I have some memories to face before my family arrives, and I’d better get on with it. Solitude is the best justification for forcing a confrontation with one’s conscience.”

  Catherine could see that he was suffering and her heart welled with pity. “I’m sorry.”

  The party moved out the front door to the drive where a phaeton drawn by a magnificent pair of matched grays awaited the travelers. The earl’s horse was tethered to a second carriage that was being loaded with the luggage.

  “Sir,” Adam said to Edward, “there must be some mistake. I appreciate the use of the carriages, but surely you don’t wish to loan your brother’s grays. They are too valuable to risk.”

  “There is no mistake, Ashworth,” Edward corrected him. “The grays are a gift.”

  “No, no, we couldn’t possibly accept such a gift.” The earl was adamant.

  “I see we have a misunderstanding,” their host murmured, a twinkle lighting his black eyes. He winked at Catherine. “I gave the grays to your future wife. Since she is Edgar’s widow I felt it the least I could do. I offered her more. She would take nothing.”

  A rather protracted silence ensued as the earl absorbed Edward’s words. Catherine could see Adam was torn between ecstasy at the mere thought of having access to such magnificent beasts and the certain knowledge he should not allow this thing to happen. But as Edward had so aptly stated, she thought in amusement, it was not Adam’s gift to refuse.

  The earl must have come to the same conclusion, for he nodded reluctantly. “You are most generous, sir. I’m certain Catherine will enjoy them.”

  “Of course, she will.” Edward laughed aloud as he took the younger man’s hand and pumped it up and down.

  Adam smiled a sheepish smile. He took his daughter from Catherine and went to assist the wet-nurse and Annabelle into the second carriage. Returning, he helped Catherine into the phaeton and then climbed into the driver’s side of the vehicle.

  Catherine put her hand on his arm to stay momentarily their departure, and she turned to Edward. “I’m glad we were able to meet one another, even if was only for a short time.”

  Edward moved closer to the carriage. “I’m glad, also, my dear. Do let me know how you fare,” he said, his tone sincere. “And Godspeed.”

  With that, Lord Ashworth snapped the reins across the backs of the “most beautiful pair of matched grays in all of England,” and the caravan pulled into the lane, leaving the dilapidated castle and its sad owner behind.

  “We’re going to talk about this tonight,” Adam said severely several minutes later as the phaeton moved onto the main road.

  “About what?” Catherine asked innocently.

  “The grays, of course.”

  “You don’t like them?”

  “That’s not the point!”

  “All right then,” she stated primly, “If I’m to listen to a lecture, I should be allowed to choose the venue for that lecture.”

  “Meaning…?” Adam asked in a cautious voice.

  Her gaze slid to his face, and a sensuous smile curved the edge
of her mouth as she reached over to grip his thigh with one gloved hand. She felt a muscle leap beneath her fingers.

  “I choose to listen to your displeasure with me in bed this night,” she said, goading him in a provocative whisper.

  The smooth rhythm of the ride was interrupted as Adam’s hands jerked uncontrollably on the ribbons. “Witch!” he growled huskily, and his eyes blackened with lust. “You would use my desire for you against me?”

  “Naturally, my lord,” she teased as she moved closer to him on the seat. “Though, to be honest, I’d rather use it in a more positive manner. So much more satisfying, don’t you agree?”

  The Earl of Ashworth, caught in the web of her bewitching spell, shouted with laughter as he gave over and admitted defeat.

  *****

  EPILOGUE

  “When will we be there, Mummy?”

  “It won’t be long now, darling,” Catherine reassured her fidgety daughter.

  She dropped a motherly kiss on the toddler’s cheek before turning back to stare out the carriage window at the shops they passed. Her interest was not engaged in the scenery, though. Rather, she was occupied by the somber mood that had overtaken the passengers of the traveling coach.

  The morning had begun festively enough but, once they had reached the outskirts of London, the atmosphere had turned grim. Adam sat in one corner of the carriage, a baleful expression on his handsome features.

  His wife reached over and touched his hand. “It can’t be as bad as all that.”

  “I still think it’s a mistake,” he muttered dolefully.

  “We can’t stay away forever. It’s been more than two years as it is.”

  He sighed. “It’s time to test the waters and see how forgiving society will be, I know that. We need to make a place for Annabelle if it’s possible. But that is nothing compared to having to face Mother. When I left the city to come for you, I was convinced I never wanted to see her again. My feelings are very ambivalent at this moment.”

  Catherine understood how he felt. If she could find some way to avoid seeing her mother-in-law, she would do so. But she had decided that Adam’s attitude was an unhealthy one. He needed to make amends. Long-term anger could be a very destructive thing—Edgar was a prime example of that.

  For two years Catherine and Adam had traveled the continent, taking life a day at a time, enjoying their child and basking in their love for one another. Now the time had come to face reality. However, there was no way to gauge society’s reaction to their reappearance on the town, for the ton was hypocritical at its very best.

  The talk had been rampant after Edgar’s death, most of it unkind, yet they still had their champions among the elite. Judith reported in one of her many letters that Viscount Wimberly had nearly come to blows with one drunken gentleman who could not be persuaded to keep his opinions to himself. And Lady Richards had been known to give the cut direct to anyone who had the effrontery to question Catherine’s character.

  Still, the real surprise had come from a certain little dandy by the name of Sir Sidney Alcott, not one known to challenge the system, who had very vocally defended his “close” friends, Lord and Lady Ashworth. Catherine smiled at the memory.

  The coach pulled up to the curb, and she saw her new home for the first time. “It’s quite grand, isn’t it?” she said.

  “It’s a house like any other,” her husband stated in an uncompromising tone as he helped her from the carriage. His attitude softened when he reached back and lifted his tiny daughter to the ground. He leaned down and took Annabelle’s chubby fist, and the trio proceeded to the entrance of the mansion.

  The front door was cast open. “My lord! It is so good to see you,” an ebullient Ames greeted his master, ushering everyone into the foyer.

  “And you, Ames,” Adam returned, looking pleased by the butler’s animated welcome. He introduced his family to the servant and then appeared to hesitate.

  “Your mother is in the library,” Ames said in a tactful voice, correctly interpreting his lordship’s silence.

  The earl picked up his baby and trudged behind the butler, leaving his wife to bring up the rear. At the door Adam stopped so abruptly Catherine crashed into him, doing damage to her new poked bonnet.

  “Your son has arrived, my lady,” Ames intoned.

  A long pause ensued as the dowager, seated primly on a metal-studded leather chair, exchanged glances with the new arrivals. At last the old countess came to her feet, her manner stiff and unyielding, but the discerning eye could perceive that she was uncomfortable.

  “I’m glad to see you, Adam.”

  There was no reply and Catherine glanced uneasily at her husband. He looked as though he were having a time of it forcing a response over his frozen tongue.

  “Down, Papa, I want down.”

  All eyes turned to the toddler. Annabelle, struggling from her father’s embrace, provided a welcome diversion, for the tension in the room had begun to mount. Adam allowed his daughter to scramble down from his arms, and the child sent a dimpled grin to the haughty woman across the room.

  The dowager countess watched her granddaughter in open fascination.

  Clearly pleased at being the center of attention, Annabelle raced across the carpet, not stopping until she had reached her grandmother’s side. She grabbed hold of the woman’s skirt and gave it a tug.

  “Hello,” Annabelle said by way of greeting.

  She was a beautiful little girl, her head covered with a mass of shiny, near-black curls. The dowager countess stared down into a pair of enormous, liquid blue eyes before raising her gaze to the child’s parents. Her inspection shifted to her son as if trying to make some critical connection then looked at the baby again.

  “How do you do?” the dowager answered politely.

  Annabelle beamed at her, displaying a mouthful of tiny white teeth. “My name is Annabelle,” she said in a most grown-up fashion.

  “So it would seem. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.” The dowager glanced at the couple who watched from the doorway as she continued speaking to the child. “I suggest your mother and father take a short rest before dinner so you and I can become acquainted.”

  Annabelle appeared more than agreeable to the plan just so long as the resting did not include herself. As for Adam and Catherine, they grasped the excuse to escape and quickly retreated to their rooms in a transparent show of cowardice. This first tentative meeting had been awkward in the extreme.

  “I didn’t handle it well, did I?” Adam asked a short while later as he removed his neckcloth. He flopped down on the small sofa facing the fireplace.

  “It won’t happen in a day, but you’ve made a start, and that’s what is important.” Catherine, now wearing a sapphire blue wrapper, sat brushing her hair until the soft, gleaming waves crackled with static life.

  “Do you think we did right to expose our baby to my mother’s tyrannical ways?”

  Catherine stood up and moved to his side. “Adam, she can’t be as bad as all that. She did marvelously with you and Judith. And she does care, I’m sure of it, even though she tries very hard not to let on.”

  Adam looked up at her, a gratified smile touching his sensuous mouth. He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap.

  “I do believe you become more beautiful with each passing day. How do you tolerate my temperamental moods?”

  Snuggling into his arms, she placed a warm kiss on his jaw. “Each morning I wake to the amazing revelation I am your wife. There is no difficulty in tolerating the best thing that has happened to me. You gave me Annabelle—for that alone I would forgive you anything.”

  “That reminds me, my love, how is the newest member of our family?” His hand came to rest on the slight swell of her belly, his long fingers exploring the tender lump that cradled his second child.

  “I felt movement yesterday for the first time.”

  “You did?” he exclaimed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Quite h
onestly, you were so preoccupied with today’s visit I didn’t want to share the news with all the other things cluttering your mind. It’s a moment that should be savored all by itself.” She smiled then. “It is exciting, isn’t it?”

  “It is,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

  He brought his eager mouth to hers, kissing her so thoroughly her heart began to rattle in her chest like a die in a cup. She moaned softly against his lips.

  “Do you suppose you might feel inclined to share something else with me?” His hot breath tickled her neck as he spoke, sending erotic shivers sluicing down her backbone.

  Now he mentioned it, she thought perhaps she did feel so inclined.

  *****

  Lord and Lady Ashworth made a fashionably late entrance to dinner later that evening and, though neither one was rested in the least, they in no way felt their time together had been misspent.

  *****

  Table of Contents

  In the Garden of Temptation