by Diana Quincy
“And is he also without funds?”
“Not at all. Funds are not a problem for Monty. In fact, he insisted on paying for the villa we stayed at in Spain over the summer.”
Interesting. “Family funds?”
She shrugged with apparent lack of interest. “Monty is something of a mystery to us all. We know very little of his background.”
“Do you not wonder what he is hiding?”
“No, I do not. I know what I see. Monty is a gentleman, good and true. Anyone can discern that.”
“And yet he hides the truth of his identity.”
“You don’t know anything about him.”
“Neither, apparently, do you.” He guided the animals around a corner. “Is Miss Tabitha’s background a mystery as well?”
She shot him a disdainful look. “Not at all. Tabby was with me from the start. We were at Miss Langdon’s School for Young Ladies together.”
“What is her story?”
Bella looked away. “There is nothing to tell.”
“How about the fact that she is ruined?”
She stilled. “What do you mean?”
“I knew there was something familiar about Lady Tabitha. It came to me last evening. That’s the Quartermain chit who ruined herself and then refused to marry the gentleman in question. Dominick Howard, I believe his name is.”
“You know nothing about Tabby. I will not allow you of all people to cast aspersions on her character.”
“Me of all people? Have I done something to upset you?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You seem particularly agitated.”
Her gaze slid away in a manner that left the impression she was hiding something. “Nothing beyond the usual.”
He let it drop. They were away from the heart of London traffic, heading out into more open road. “I’ve no need to cast aspersions on Miss Tabitha. All of society has already done that. My question is, why are you in league with a woman like that?”
“A woman like that? I’ll tell you what manner of woman Tabby is.” Color rose in her delicate cheeks. “She is the sweetest, most gentle girl. She is too good for this world.”
He softened his voice. “She would not be the first girl to allow her head to be turned by a gentleman. But why did she not consent to marry Howard? She had already allowed him to take liberties with her person.”
“I assure you Dominick Howard is no gentleman. Tabby despised him from the start. He forced himself upon her to compel her into marriage.”
His insides iced. “Are you suggesting that Howard raped Lady Tabitha?”
“I’m not only suggesting it. It is a statement of fact.” She shot him a challenging look. “Unless you doubt Tabby’s word.”
“I do not,” he said softly.
“She was devastated.” She blinked and then widened her eyes as if to keep tears at bay. “I feared she would never recover after he…did that to her.”
Poor Tabby. He could not imagine such a fragile creature enduring that kind of violation. “What of her family? Surely, they sought to avenge her honor.”
“All they wanted was to make the scandal go away. They tried to force her to marry him. Can you imagine?”
“I cannot.”
“She couldn’t bear to let that man put his hands on her again, to give him unlimited rights to her body.”
“Of course not. The very idea is abominable.”
“I feared she would lose her mind from the strain of it, so I convinced her to come away with me to the Continent instead.”
Warmth flowed through him. His stubborn, courageous wife had saved Tabby when no one else had bothered. “Lady Tabitha is the reason you requested to go abroad after leaving school.”
“It was the only way I could think of to save her.”
“Howard should have been brought to account for his mishandling of a lady.” He struggled to control his temper. “That her family would try to force such an alliance is beyond the pale.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” She shot him a pointed look. “Young girls should not be forced into marriage to further a family’s ambitions.”
Something twinged in the vicinity of his heart. “Is that why you came to her assistance? To help her avoid the fate that befell you as a girl?”
She looked regretful. “I would never compare you to a monster like Howard. Still, forcing matrimony on young girls is wrong.”
“Quite right.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
“It is not as though Tabby was one to defy her family’s wishes. She’d been promised to another, Baron Edgemont, since girlhood. Even though he is a stranger to her, Tabby was willing to follow her family’s wishes and marry the baron.”
“The baron renounced her?” he asked softly.
“We did not wait to find out. We fled to France.” She paused and eyed him. “Is this inquisition quite over? Have you learned all you need to know about our houseguests?”
“Not in the least. But my runner should be able to fill in the gaps soon.”
She gasped. “Your runner? Pray do not tell me you have hired someone to investigate my friends?”
“They’re under my roof and spend a great deal of time with my wife,” he said mildly, directing the team into a turn with a firm hand. “It is only natural for me to want to learn more about them.”
“It is not natural to spy on one’s friends. You overstep.”
“I am sorry you think so, but I will not be deterred.”
“But I’ve answered your questions about them.”
“Yes, and if anything, what little you know about your companions gives rise to only more questions.”
“That’s abominable!” She glared at him, the heat of emotion making her cheeks flush a lovely shade of pink. “Maybe you are hiding something of great importance from me. Perhaps I should put a runner on you. ”
“You needn’t waste the money. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.”
She opened her mouth, as though quite ready to say something, and then clamped it shut again. “I have no questions…at the moment.”
…
Louisa’s eyes were full of admiration. “Oh, my lady, as I live and breathe, you are a vision in that gown.”
Bella considered herself in the mirror. Her sky-blue gown’s modest décolletage was edged with silver trim. Louisa had pulled her hair up, threading thin silver ribbon throughout her curls. She did look her best. She would present an image of restraint and elegance for her first meeting with Sebastian’s family. Nerves twisted at the thought of this evening’s gathering at the marquess’s home. What did she know of family? She’d never had one.
A knock startled the thoughts out of her mind. Louisa pulled open the door and Sebastian entered.
“Are you ready to face the family?” He looked immaculate in his elegant formal wear. The stark white of his cravat highlighted the olive shades in his skin. His dark green satin coat brought out the clear green of his hooded dark eyes. His evening clothes were perfectly fitted to his rugged physique.
Her pulse accelerated, as it always did in his presence, even though she feigned indifference. “How did your bout with Orford go this morning?” Orford had returned from visiting his mother, so the two men had finally faced off at Gentleman Jack’s.
He spread his arms, the fabric of his jacket stretching taut over muscled arms. “As you can see, I survived quite intact.”
She turned back to the mirror to allow Louisa to make some final adjustments to her hair.
“That is just as well. It would not do for your family to see you all banged up.”
“Your concern is truly touching.”
She turned to face him. “I am ready.”
“Excellent.” His eyes filled with warm approval. “You look lovely.”
His appreciative gaze sparked a warm feeling in her. “I’m pleased you approve.”
“How could I not? I shall be the envy of every
man this evening.” He smiled, flashing the dimple in his right cheek. “You are the very image of beauty and decorum.”
She narrowed one eye, a kernel of anger stirring in her breast. “Did you come in here to assure yourself that I dressed appropriately for your family?”
“Your tendency toward scandalous gowns certainly shows your loveliness to its full advantage, but we both know they are not appropriate for polite company.” He turned to the mirror to adjust his cravat pin. “After all, isn’t that why you wore the scarlet gown at our first official meeting as husband and wife?”
“Why don’t you give me a few more minutes? I’ll don my cloak and join you in a moment.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, she started tugging her dress off, knowing even as she did so her temper was driving her to make a regrettable decision.
Louisa flew to her side. “My lady! What are you doing?”
Bella shook with anger. “Help me take this off. Bring me my scarlet gown.”
“But, my lady, the master said—”
“I am mistress here. You will do as I say or find yourself another position.”
Paling, Louisa began to unbutton the back of the blue gown. “Yes, my lady.”
Bella forced a sharp inhale and gentled her tone. “Be so kind as to bring me the scarlet gown.” Louisa hurried to the dressing room. “And bring me my evening cloak as well.” Bella called after her. “I will wear it before I leave my bedchamber.”
She regretted her impetuousness the moment the front door to the Marquess of Camryn’s impressive townhome on Curzon Street opened. Entering the foyer with Sebastian, Bella could hear laughter and conversation coming from somewhere nearby. She stiffened at the thought of facing all of those people in her scandalous gown.
Sensing her anxiety, but mistaking the cause of it, Sebastian gave her a reassuring smile. “We are a rather boisterous family. Pray don’t let it alarm you.”
She pulled her cloak more tightly around her when the butler stepped forward to take it from her. Seeing her hesitation, Sebastian moved over to do it himself.
“They won’t bite,” he murmured in her ear, his breath brushing against the sensitive skin. He moved his hands to her shoulders to take her cloak. “Don’t worry, I shall stay by your side.”
She resisted the desperate urge to cling to her cloak when he lifted it away from her shoulders—then swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and waited for her husband’s reaction.
Chapter Ten
The footman’s eyes widened before he smoothed his expression and resumed an unseeing gaze. She sensed Sebastian stiffen behind her. Her cheeks burning, Bella cursed her quick temper and even quicker tendency to act without thinking.
“Thank you, Smythe.” Sebastian handed the cloak over to the butler, his tone giving no indication that anything was amiss. Bella gulped a breath, gathering her courage to turn and face her husband.
“We thought we heard you out here,” a cheery voice called from down the hall. A golden-hued man in formal dinner dress strode toward them, flashing a wide smile. He was very tall, quite a bit taller than Sebastian, with untamed tawny hair and a strong, lithe form.
Sebastian’s tight voice flowed around her. “Cam.”
So this was the marquess. His smiling eyes went immediately to Bella, his curiosity apparent.
“Lady Mirabella, I presume? Since my brother seems to have misplaced his tongue, allow me to make myself known to you.” He executed a sharp bow. “Arthur Stanhope, Marquess of Camryn, at your service.”
She curtsied, praying her breasts would not pop out of the flimsy bodice. “A pleasure, my lord.”
His eyes sparkled. “Just Cam, please. After all, you are my sister now.” He turned to Sebastian. “She’s a vision. I see why you’ve kept her all to yourself.”
Sebastian shot his brother a wry look. “I’m certain you do.”
“I must say I have never known my brother to be at a loss for words. Of course, such beauty would render any man speechless.” He offered Bella his arm. “Come and meet the family.”
She placed her hand on his arm, warmed by his friendly demeanor, especially considering the chillingly silent presence behind her. Forcing her herself to breathe, she kept her shoulders back, resisting the impulse to hunch over and cover herself.
A tall, willowy woman came toward them with a welcoming smile. “Lady Mirabella. We are so pleased to know you at last.”
“Allow me to introduce my wife, Charlotte,” Cam said.
The marchioness was a surprise. At first glance, one could mistake her for being almost plain, except for stunning, soft blue eyes that enlivened her face. Cam clearly was besotted with his wife.
“We’ve been so looking forward to making your acquaintance,” Charlotte said, taking her hands.
Sebastian’s cousin, Willa, Duchess of Hartwell, soon joined them. The dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty seemed far more reserved than Charlotte, but it soon became apparent that the two women were great friends. And the teasing affection Willa showed Sebastian bespoke of a warm familiarity between the cousins.
Taking Bella’s arm, Sebastian steered her toward the others. The fresh musk scent of his shaving soap wafted over her, the heat and strength of his arm radiated under her hand. His expression was stone-like, his hooded eyes clear yet guarded.
Despite her embarrassment over her gown, Bella enjoyed meeting Sebastian’s brothers. Basil, the youngest, was quite the charmer. His eyes flitted over her gown with obvious interest before coming back to meet her eyes with an appreciative grin. Will, the artist, was quiet and more circumspect, with a distracted air about him. While their personalities were vastly different, Sebastian’s brothers were remarkably similar to each other in appearance. It struck Bella how physically unlike Sebastian they were. Although by no means short, her husband didn’t share his brothers’ height, and his strapping physique and olive complexion were a marked contrast to their slim, shapely forms and light coloring. The lone trait they all shared was those singular eyes and that unique amber-green tint.
At last they came to stand before a dainty, fair-haired woman in her middle years. Sebastian bowed. “Ma’am, I present my wife.” He turned to Bella. “My mother, Mrs. Matilda Stanhope.”
Sebastian’s mother took Bella’s hands in hers, her smile warm and genuine. “I am so pleased to meet you.” She looked at her son with obvious affection. “Sebastian, she is lovely.”
“Indeed.” He answered with formal courtesy. “I am the most fortunate of men.”
To his credit, Bella couldn’t discern any irony in his tone. Focusing on his mother, she dropped into a curtsy. “It is my pleasure, ma’am, to make your acquaintance.”
Seeming not to notice Bella’s disgraceful gown, Matilda helped her up. “Let us dispense with such formality. I hope you will come to call me Mother as Charlotte does, or just Matilda, if you prefer.”
His mother’s sparkling amber eyes, although different in color, were like Sebastian’s in that they were infused with both strength and kindness. Realizing Matilda was nothing like the shrew she’d imagined, Bella took an immediate liking to her.
Her husband cleared his throat. “I’ll leave the two of you to become acquainted.” He stepped away, his abrupt departure bordering on rudeness. If his mother noticed, she did not show it. Instead, she took Bella’s arm. “Come, let us walk about the room so that I may come to know you better.”
…
Joining his brothers by the hearth, Sebastian immediately knew that he was in for it.
Cam didn’t bother hiding his amused smile. “Well, Sebastian, I daresay your wife will enliven the family.”
“And we’re not exactly dull to begin with,” Basil added.
Sebastian’s gaze followed his wife’s turn about the room with his mother. That gown was an abomination more suited to a courtesan than to a lady. Her plump breasts were almost completely bare to his brothers’ gaze.
Basil saluted him with his glass. “She’s
a diamond of the first to be sure. And that gown.” He shook his head. “Lord.”
“I’ll brook no insult to my wife.”
“Easy. I meant no offense.” Basil held up his hands, palms outward, in a show of supplication. “Quite the contrary, you are to be congratulated on your good fortune. With a wife like that, a man would never be tempted to stray,”
Cam sipped his drink. “Not that Sebastian is the type to tomcat anyway.”
Sebastian released a long breath. “As much as I abhor being the source of your amusement, you’ll no doubt be pleased to know she is wearing that gown to provoke me.”
“It is a most provoking gown,” said Cam.
Sebastian’s mouth twisted into a wry smile. “After I expressed admiration for the appropriate gown she intended to wear this evening, she changed into that bit of fabric, which can scarcely be considered a gown.”
“Admiration or approval?” asked Cam. “I can tell you from experience, if she is anything like Charlotte, your wife will not appreciate being told what to do.”
“I am her husband. She will do as I bid.”
“That seems to be working rather well so far,” said Cam, laughter in his voice.
“You do always try to organize and control everything around you,” Will said.
Basil nodded his agreement. “Unfortunately for you, Lady Mirabella does not seem particularly biddable.”
“I like order,” Sebastian said tightly. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
“Except that marriage can be a disorderly business,” Cam said.
“That can be a good thing,” Will said. “I often have a firm idea in my mind for a painting. Yet, once I begin, the brush sometimes has a will of its own and I’m left with something far better than my mind conceived.”
“I don’t see the relevance. My wife is not a painting.”
“If she were, you could paint a more modest bodice on her,” Basil said, his eyes twinkling with laughter.
Sebastian calmed an urge to give his brother a well-deserved douse on the chops. His body was already so tightly wound, he felt liable to snap at any moment.
Cam put a warning hand on Basil’s shoulder. “Enough.”