Lily clucked her tongue and then stood. “Enough of that. I will write to the Haveshams. They are longtime friends and the party must be a very intimate one for Camille to have received an invite. Perhaps they’ll include the three of us on their guest list.”
Rex’s heart beat in his chest. A bloody dinner party? He really was in love.
Chapter Sixteen
Camille sat in an uncomfortable chair as guests mingled around her, her insides twisting uncomfortably. What had she been thinking? Several of the ladies had given her long stares and just as many had whispered behind their fans when she’d strolled past them.
Her mother sat just next to her and her father on the other side of her mother. It was a bit surreal, all of them pretending that nothing had happened. That she hadn’t been asked to leave her home.
She should have stayed at Lily and Max’s to face Rex. It would have been far easier. Nor was she certain she could go through with her plan to inquire about positions. It would only affirm what they were likely whispering. She was beyond redemption.
Staring down at her plate, tears pricked at her eyes. They would not fall. Her pride demanded that she hold it together for the night.
Her mother had spent the entire day prepping her for the eligible bachelors who might be in attendance. She’d wondered about the word…might. Though she’d stopped caring by the second hour. She had simply nodded along and recited the facts her mother wished to hear. “Lord Bolton owns a country estate in Duxbury. Lord Cranmore is fond of hunting quail.”
She glanced about the room and was relieved to see that neither man was in attendance, though guests still seemed to be arriving. She didn’t want to even feign interest in either one of them. She scanned down the far wall as she pointedly ignored two ladies whispering while they stared at her. Her heart stopped beating in her chest when her gaze landed on a man in the middle of the wall between two windows.
Sitting, staring at her, was her former fiancé, Lord Michael Ralston.
She gripped the underside of the table next to her as she swayed in her chair. She’d dreaded this moment ever since she’d ended the engagement. She hadn’t even spoken his name until recently and she wasn’t ready to see him. Actually, she didn’t want to see him ever again.
Her mother leaned over to her. “Keep an open mind, darling,” she whispered. “He’s willing to make amends if you are.”
Her mouth dropped open even as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Her mother had been behind this. And she, fool that she was, had fallen for it. Regret stabbed at her. “But you prepped me to meet other lords who aren’t even in attendance,” she hissed back.
“Would you have come otherwise?” Her mother patted her knee. “I know you hear the whispers. That could all go away.”
Anger rose inside her chest like a bubble, threatening to erupt from her lungs. If she left right now, stood, and exited the party, could she make it to Lily’s home? Would her sister forgive her for leaving today?
Of course Lily would.
And honestly, she didn’t care that Rex had told her that he didn’t want her. She’d go to his room and tuck the covers about him. She’d kiss his forehead and thank him for being the kind of man who hadn’t taken advantage of her even when she’d laid herself out before him. Well, on top of him, but that was beside the point.
The air in the room thickened as the doors opened again. Had she imagined it? She didn’t think so because conversation halted as well.
Looking at the door, Lord Longley and her sister, Lily, stood at the threshold. Rex stood beside Max.
Her heart swelled with love. This time a silly little tear escaped her eye but it wasn’t one of sadness. He’d come to rescue her. How had he known? Did it matter? No, it didn’t. He was here and that was enough.
She started to stand but her mother’s hand clamped down on her arm. “Sit,” the other woman commanded.
“Your Grace,” Lady Haversham gushed, flowing across the room with an ease that would have been noteworthy if Camille was able to look away from Rex. His eyes had locked on hers as he leaned casually on his cane. “My lord,” she effused. “I am so honored that you’ve come tonight to my humble home. That you have graced my door is such a treat.”
That nearly made Camille giggle. What wasn’t said was that they hardly ever made social calls like this. No one whispered behind their fans as they stared at the newcomers.
“Thank you for having us, Lady Haversham.” Lily smiled graciously. “We are honored that you have included us this evening.”
“You did this,” her mother pushed out through gritted teeth. “You brought your sister here.”
Camille nearly denied it and then she remembered the note. Her sweet sister had arranged to attend the party just to make sure that Camille was all right. “How someone as good as Lily could have come from you, I’ll never know.”
Her mother retracted her hand as though Camille’s skin hand burned it.
Rex, Lily, and Max began making their way toward them. Her mother said no more but she gripped the arm of her chair, her knuckles turning white.
Lily and Max stood in front of them, Rex came to her side. She could almost feel his heat and she wished she could press herself against him.
“Mother.” Lily gave their mother a cheerful wave. “Stand and greet me or everyone will know we’ve had a falling out.”
She heard her mother huff under her breath, but she stood and kissed both of Lily’s cheeks. Their father did the same, and then proceeded to shake hands with Max as though they were old chums. Camille knew the two had never met. Her father had always been handsome. Rich, dark hair that so many of her sisters had. Tall and broad but recently he’d gone blank. He seemed unaware of what was happening about him almost all the time.
Camille stood too, kissing Lily on the cheek, she whispered, “You are the best sister in the world and I love you more than I could ever say.”
Lily gave her elbow a squeeze. “Say you are coming back with us tonight.”
Relief made her breath rush out. “I shall never leave again,” Camille replied.
Lily quirked a brow. “Don’t make that promise, dear sister.”
What did that mean? But even as she thought the question someone touched her back. It warmed her, strengthened her. She turned to Rex who had wrapped his arm about her. “You can’t do that.” She looked about the room to see who might have noticed. “People will talk.”
One of his shoulders rose up. “Let them. I don’t care.”
She straightened. She supposed she shouldn’t either. And though she was ruined, ending an engagement was different than cavorting publicly with a known rake even if they had been cavorting privately. “Forgive me for being more indentured to the rules but—“
“Camille,” the sound of his deep voice saying her name rumbled through her, causing her to shiver. “I don’t care because I have every intention of making you—”
“Well, I see all the players have arrived,” Ralston drawled from her left. Inadvertently, she stepped closer to Rex. “Lord Highwater a pleasure to see you again. How is your side?”
“Perfect,” Rex said slowly. “Nice to see you looking so fit. You must be exercising regularly. Boxing? Shooting? Or running about town?”
His hand tightened at her waist as he moved her closer still.
Camille finally looked up at Michael. His lips were pulled tight over his teeth. How had she ever thought that man handsome?
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Lord Ralston,” Lady Ducat gushed. Camille made a note to never call that woman mother again. What was wrong with her mother that she was so amenable to this man?
“Same to you,” he replied. “Camille, would you consider taking a turn around the room with me?” His pale blue eyes wrinkled at the corners as he looked at her.
Rex’s hand was now gripping her waist like a vice. Camille didn’t mind at all. In fact, she found it quite comforting. “I find I am short of breath and mu
st sit. But thank you kindly for the invitation.”
“Short of breath?” Michael raised his brows. “From sitting in a chair? Are you feeling well, my dear?”
A low rumble emitted from Rex’s throat at the endearment.
Max coughed under his breath. She distinctly heard him speak under his breath. “I’m going to rip his fingernails off one at a time.”
Camille ignored Max and spoke to Michael. “I’m fine. Nothing that a little rest won’t cure,” she replied. Her shoulder brushed Rex’s chest. Dimly, she was aware that the room continued to be silent. A quick sweep confirmed that all eyes were on them.
Michael’s gaze drifted to Rex’s hand and then slowly travelled back up her body. Revulsion shivered along her skin.
“Well then, I will see you at dinner.” Michael turned and walked away.
Her shoulders slumped in relief as she let out a long breath. Then she glanced over at her mother. She narrowed her gaze, hoping to get her message across. She would rather be put in the stocks than allow that man to touch her.
Chapter Seventeen
Rex tried to pry his fingers from her waist but they wouldn’t come undone. In fact, they were itching to carry her from this place and tuck her against his side where she’d be warm and safe.
They could be naked too. He wouldn’t object.
Her mother, if that viper could be called a mother, cleared her throat. “Harold.” She turned to Lord Rosemond. “Perhaps you should speak with the young man currently ruining your daughter at a dinner party.”
“Which man is that dear? It’s difficult to keep them all straight.” Lord Rosemond sounded tired. His voice was low and lacked any emotion. Camille squinted her eyes as she assessed him.
Lady Rosemond leaned over and whispered through clenched teeth as she snapped her fan on her palm. “The one with his arm about her waist.”
Lord Rosemond looked over at him, his face slack and his eyes only partially focused. “Yes dear,” he answered. “Lord Highwater, if you’d be so kind as to follow me.”
Rex wanted to say no. Every fiber of his body demanded that he be next to Camille keeping her safe. His jaw tensed as his teeth clenched. His fingers remained locked on her waist as he formulated an answer that told the man to go to hell without actually saying the words.
“Go,” Max muttered. “I’ll be right here.”
“Very well,” he muttered, finally removing his hand. “I’ll return momentarily.” He looked down at Camille, her green eyes staring back as her lips turned down, softly trembling.
“Hurry,” she mouthed.
He stepped away, despite his better judgment, and followed Lord Rosemond to the door and then down the hall to the library.
The man held out a chair for Rex and then sat across from him. “Bloody difficult business having daughters,” he spread his fingers on the desk in front of him.
Rex raised his eyebrow but said nothing. The daughters, near as he could tell, were lovely. It was the man’s wife who seemed to be lacking.
“Charlotte has very specific ideas about how this should go.” Lord Rosemond rubbed his temples with his fingers. “I always hate to disappoint her, but Michael is only a Viscount and a poor one at that.”
Only? Rex shrugged. He’d never understand the mentality of the peerage for which he inexplicably belonged. “And about to go to prison.”
The man’s eye’s widened as he sat up straighter. “Say what now?”
“I saw debtors chasing him.” Rex gripped the head of his cane tighter as he thought back to that day. “He’d use Camille’s dowry to dig himself out, but I guarantee you he’ll end up back there again and soon. Then Camille will be ruined all over when he goes to debtor’s prison.”
“Gambling?” her father asked.
His lip curled. Rex wanted to answer with a question of his own. How did Lord Rosemond not know all of this already about a man who wanted to marry his daughter? But he bit his tongue and instead said, “Yes. The man is always at the tables.”
“Are you seeking my daughter’s hand?” Lord Rosemond stood and crossed to a small table where glasses and a decanter sat. He poured a large drink and swallowed it down in a few gulps.
For a moment he didn’t speak. He was really doing this. “I am.” Rex stood as well. He didn’t like being seated when his opponent was standing.
The man nodded, crinkling his brow as though he were confused. “Good. She is amenable?”
“She is.”
“Come to my home tomorrow to sign the contracts. In the meantime, acquire the license. We’ll see this business done as soon as possible.” He poured another drink. “Once Camille is off my hands, I’ll only have three left in the marriage mart. And Adelaide,” the man gave a shiver. “She is going to be difficult at best.”
Rex was tempted to bolt for the door but he straightened. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to draw up a contract tonight. We can have a more formal one in the morning but I’d like the security.” He was worried once Lord Rosemond faced his wife, he’d have a change of heart.
Lord Rosemond waved at the desk, swirling his hand. “By all means.”
Rex let out a long breath. Now he just needed to convince his Camille to say yes and be his bride.
* * *
Camille sat next to her mother, twisting her hands in her lap. What was her father discussing with Rex? Would he attempt to force a match? What would Rex say to that? If he were any other man, she’d assume that his arm about her in public meant that he was serious about his intentions but he didn’t abide by the same rules as the rest of them—one of the reasons why she loved him so much.
“Dinner is served,” the butler said, opening the doors once again for the guests to assemble in the dining room.
Camille stood, planting herself next to Lily.
“Drat,” her mother cried. “I’ve lost my favorite fan.”
Camille turned, her mother scanned the ground, twisting around. With a sigh, she turned back. She could see it under the chair. “There it is.” Then she reached down and grabbed it, then passed it to her mother. Turning, she could see Lily already passing through the door.
Her mother lifted one corner of her skirt and followed. The room was near empty, with the last guests filing out. Camille began to do the same when a hand clamped on her elbow. “We need to talk,” Michael said, his breath hissing in her ear.
She attempted to pull away but he dug his fingers into her skin. Her muscles tensed with fear. “There is nothing to say,” she answered, tugging harder.
He started pulling her toward the patio door. “I disagree. I should have never gone along with that ridiculous gesture. How could you think that you could just turn me away? You’re mine, Camille.”
She choked as she tugged harder. She had to get away from this man. Fear and anger, which had been bubbling just under the surface, rose up making her breath catch. “I am not. I never will be.”
He stopped and dropped his face with an inch of hers. “You think I’m going to let that bastard have you?” Droplets of his spit sprayed her face.
“It’s not your choice,” she cried back. Then pulling at the exact second his fingers loosened, she broke free and ran for the door. Everyone else had left so her only option was to break free. He caught her within a few steps and spun her around, trapping her arms between their bodies. As he lifted her by the waist, he opened the patio door and carried her out. She tried to kick at his shins but her skirts got in the way.
His lips clamped down on hers in a hard punishing kiss that made her stomach roil and she gagged. He pulled back just enough so that she could get a hand free and she smacked at his face but it had the same effect as a fly. “It is my choice,” he growled. “I’m going to take you here and now and then you’ll have no choice but to—”
A thump broke the silence as his words stopped short and his hold of her loosened. She pushed out of his grasp and slid to the side. Rex was just behind Michael’s smaller frame. His cane still
slicing through the air.
Michael spun around to see who was there when Rex raised his other fist and planted it dead into Michael’s nose. The other man fell like a stone, crumpling to the ground. “As you requested, my lady.” Rex gave a short bow.
Camille looked down as blood spurted from Michael’s nose. “I do believe you broke it.” It seemed to sit to the right rather than straight on his face.
“I can’t very well disappoint the woman that I wish to marry, now can I?” He stepped over Michael and snaked his arm about her, pulling her against his body.
“Marry?” she repeated, her breath catching in her throat. Her fingers gripped at his jacket even as his forehead came down to rest on hers. “But you said you didn’t want me.”
“I said nothing of the sort.” He gave her a soft kiss. “I said you were too special for an affair and I meant every word.”
How could this man be so achingly gentle? Her breath hitched as tears of joy stung her eyes. “I thought you were just being kind in your rejection. I thought you would never marry. What changed your mind?”
“You did.” He kissed her again. “Camille, my angel, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she replied, pressing her lips to his again. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Wonderful, darling. Now I’m going to need your sash so that we can tie up Ralston. I can’t have him get away again.”
A giggle caught in her throat as she looked up at Rex. “From the start to the finish this has been quite the courtship.”
He quirked a brow. “You aren’t jesting. Tell me married life will be less interesting.”
She kissed him again, pressing her lips to his. The ache that she always felt when they touched throbbed as her body tingled. “I hope not.”
“What the devil?” Max called behind them.
Rex, not letting her go, growled out. “You were supposed to watch her.”
Camille tapped his chest. “I was right next to Lily and then mother called me back…” Her words died on her lips. “You don’t think she did that on purpose?”
Meddle in a Marquess’s Affairs: How to Reform a Rake Page 8