But a pillow doesn’t have a heart.
Nor were any of the pillows on her bed scented with a heady combination of clean perspiration and masculine warmth, with hints of horse, leather and shaving soap mixed in. Inhaling deeper, she detected another scent, faint but reassuringly familiar.
Inviting.
Delicious.
Adam.
Her eyelids popped open, and she sat straight up, her gaze locking on the watchful chocolate brown eyes of the man lying beside her. One hand flew to her chest, her fingers encountering the hard buttons and smooth braids that decorated the front of her riding habit. Memories of the morning came tumbling back—their early-morning ride, their out of doors breakfast and the sudden bout of weariness that had swept through her just as the time had arrived for them to ride home.
“Gracious,” she said on a breathy rush. “I guess I fell asleep.”
His mouth curved up at the corners. “You certainly did.”
“How long was I out?”
He leaned up on an elbow but made no further effort to rise. “Without consulting my watch, I can’t do more than hazard a guess, but I’d say about two hours.”
Her lips parted. “Two hours! Oh, you should never have let me sleep so long.”
“Why not? Clearly, you were tired, exhausted even, considering the fact that you slept like a stone.”
“Maybe so, but you ought to have awakened me regardless. It must be coming on eleven o’clock by now.”
This time he sat up, taking a moment to withdraw his pocket watch from his waistcoat. “It’s eleven twenty-four, so you weren’t too far off the mark.” Snapping the case closed again, he returned the gold watch to its pocket.
“We need to get back,” she said, rising to her knees so she could stand up, only to find her legs bound inside a mass of cloth. “I didn’t tell anyone but Penny that I was riding out with you this morning, and we’ll have been missed by now for sure.”
Before she could untangle herself from her voluminous skirts, he was on his feet and reaching a hand down to her. Deciding it would be faster and easier simply to accept his assistance, she laid her palm in his and let him pull her up. Once she was steady, she beat at a pair of wrinkles in her riding habit. “We should leave,” she said.
“Not without this,” he reminded, leaning down to retrieve her forgotten hat. “Truly, there’s no need for worry. Claire is fully aware that you’re with me.”
She froze. “Claire knows? You told her? When?”
“Last night after you retired for the evening. I’m certain Edward knows as well. If there had been any objection, he would have been in the stables at first light.”
“Oh! Oh,” she said again, tension sliding out of her shoulders as she realized he was right. Still, there were a few of the guests, Claire’s parents, for one, who might not approve. Then again, the earl and countess probably assumed she was spending the morning in her room. And even if they did not, she had every right to be with Adam if she wished. She’d known him since she was a child; he was as much a constant in her life as her family.
“So,” he said, reaching out to smooth a couple of stray locks of hair into place, tucking one behind her ear as if she were still that child. “You’ll come riding with me again tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow? Early again, do you mean?”
“If you don’t mind leaving the house before everyone else is stirring.”
“But won’t your absence be noted? I’m sure Ned must have some hunting excursions planned for the gentlemen. It’s grouse season, after all. You’ve probably missed the first outing already.”
“I’d much rather come riding with you than shoot a brace of birds. The rest of the men can claim my share. Believe me, I won’t mind since I’ve never been all that keen for blood sports, even if I am ruthless enough to dine on the results.”
“You’re not ruthless, only practical.”
He gave her a wry look. “There are many who would not agree. But since you believe me to be practical, I must tell you that it only makes sense for you to ride out with me again on the morrow. After all,” he continued in a persuasive tone, “your reasons for coming along today remain unchanged. The party continues on, in tandem with all the activities and entertainments planned for the guests. Who knows, mayhap your cousin Wilhelmina will decide to direct the company in a play. As I recall, she adores theatricals. I’m sure she would delight in finding a part for you.”
Mallory folded her arms over her chest. “Then she will have to offer that part to another lady. I have no interest in stage acting at the moment.”
“I’m sure you do not. But only think how much easier it will be to avoid all such entanglements if you are out of the house with me?”
She scowled, thinking of all the additional hours that remained in each day. “Unfortunately, we cannot be gone from dawn till dusk.”
“No,” he agreed, “but long enough to put you out of sight and hopefully out of mind when it comes to any schemes that may arise.”
She narrowed her eyes, noting the ever-present twinkle in his gaze. “Why do I have the feeling you are manipulating me again?” she said.
He laid a palm against his chest. “Why, you wound me, sweetheart. I am merely attempting to help.”
And so he was.
“So you’ll come, then?” he said.
She hesitated only a moment before she nodded. “I’ll come.”
“Good.” He smiled. “Oh, and Mallory.”
“Yes?”
“You’ve my permission to fall asleep in my arms anytime you like. I rather enjoyed acting as your pillow today.”
Warmth rose in her cheeks. “Then I shall be sure to stay awake tomorrow.”
“Here now, don’t make promises you may not be able to keep.” Giving her a wink, he set her hat on her head, then began the careful task of pinning it into place.
He and Mallory rode back, left their horses at the stable, then walked to the house, all without encountering any of the guests. Once inside, they met Croft, who informed them that the gentlemen were indeed out hunting, while the ladies had settled on the idea of picking wildflowers in one of the nearby woods. Everyone would be returning sometime in the next hour in order to rest and change their attire for nuncheon.
“I’d best be off to my room then,” Mallory told Adam as soon as they were alone again. “If I time things right, perhaps I can plead a headache and skip the meal.”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort. Have your maid help you into an afternoon gown, and I’ll see you in the dining room.”
Her strawberry pink lips parted in clear surprise. “In the dining room! But I don’t want to join the others. We agreed.”
“We did no such thing.”
“Of course we did. You promised.” Her brow furrowed. “Whose side are you on anyway?”
“Your stomach’s, that’s whose,” he retorted, taking her arm to lead her up the stairs. “I may be helping you avoid wildflower expeditions and the like, but you need to eat.” She opened her mouth again to utter a retort, but he stopped her. “Now, no more arguing. Go on and enjoy a couple of hours’ rest and solitude. I shall see you for the midday meal.”
Hurt shimmered in her gaze, as she shook off his hold. “I thought you understood.”
“I do,” he said, his tone gentling. “Better than you might realize.”
Casting him another look that was a mixture of anger and betrayal, she spun on her heels and hurried away, her dark blue skirts trailing behind her. He watched until she reached the end of the corridor and disappeared from view.
“You’re dealing with her surprisingly well,” Edward Byron, Duke of Clybourne, commented as he stepped out of a nearby room. “Better than the rest of us have this past year, I’ll confess.”
“Your Grace,” Adam said, turning toward Mallory’s tall, powerful, dark-haired brother. “I didn’t realize you were home. I assumed you were out hunting with the others.”
Edward shook his
head. “I let Cade and Jack do the honours for me today. There were several matters on the estate I deemed more important than playing host this morning.”
“Estate matters should take precedence, particularly since there’ll still be plenty of game birds left to catch tomorrow,” Adam agreed.
The corners of the duke’s mouth turned up in clear agreement. “Exactly. From what I understand, you’re doing quite a bit of estate work yourself these days. How are the improvements coming on Gresham Park?”
“They’ve really just begun in earnest, but so far, everything is going well.”
Edward studied him for a moment. “You’ll have to tell me more of the details. I would be most interested to hear.”
Adam inclined his head, knowing he would enjoy the discussion with a man of the duke’s insight, experience and intelligence.
“Are you certain, however, that you can afford to be away from home just now considering the improvements you’re undertaking at Gresham Park?” Edward asked. “Like the game birds, there’ll be other years and other parties for you to attend here at Braebourne.”
He met the duke’s keen blue gaze. “Much as I appreciate your and the duchess’s hospitality, it’s not the party that’s drawn me here.”
Edward gave a sage nod. “No, I didn’t think it was. She’s still fragile yet, but then you know that.”
“I do.”
“My sister’s been through a lot. I won’t have her hurt any further.”
Adam’s jaw tightened. “She won’t be. Believe me, I would kill anyone who ever hurt Mallory.”
“Yes, I rather expect you would. She thinks of you as a friend, though, so you would do well to have a care.”
“Where she’s concerned, I am always careful. And though I see no reason why I should have to say it, my intentions toward her are strictly honourable.”
“I know that. If they weren’t, you’d never have gotten within ten yards of her.”
Adam squared his shoulders, he and Clybourne fully aware that if he’d decided to pursue Mallory years ago, nothing—not even her powerful family—could have stopped him from having her.
The duke gave a wry smile. “Truth is, I like you, Gresham. We all do, the entire family. As for Mallory, she’s always held you in particular esteem, in many ways I believe she sees you as her seventh brother.”
The reminder rankled. “I am not her brother.”
“No, you aren’t.”
“Are you warning me off?”
“Not at all. Only suggesting you go slowly.”
Adam barked out a laugh. “Considering the number of years I’ve known her, I don’t think I could go any more slowly.”
Edward narrowed his eyes as if a missing puzzle piece had just clicked into place.
“I’m taking her riding again tomorrow,” Adam stated. “I trust you have no objection.”
The duke sighed. “Actually, I think it’s an excellent plan. I’ve seen more life in her these past two days since you arrived than I have in the last fourteen months. She’s been like a ghost up till now, floating around this house as if she were invisible, or as though she wished she were.”
Pausing, Edward twisted the emerald signet ring around on his little finger. “That little disagreement I overheard between the pair of you…for a moment she seemed like the old Mallory again. She had a spark, a fire that’s been absent too long. Do what you will to bring her all the way back. Just have a care while you’re about it.”
“As I said, I am always careful with Mallory. She means the world to me.”
“As she does to me.” Taking out his pocket watch, Edward flipped open the gold case. “I think there’s enough time for a drink before nuncheon. Come have a glass of wine, and you can tell me about Gresham Park and your plans for it.”
Relaxing suddenly, Adam smiled. “Now that would be my pleasure.”
Closing her bedchamber door on a near slam, Mallory stalked toward her dressing room, unbuttoning the front fastenings on the bodice of her riding habit as she went. Yanking off the close-fitting jacket, she tossed the garment onto a nearby chair, then went to work on the skirt. The tiny mother-of-pearl buttons at her waist presented a far more difficult task since they were located at the small of her back. Unwilling to wait for her maid’s assistance, she reached behind herself and stretched, twisted and contorted until the buttons finally came free. The heavy skirt billowed past her hips to land in a dark blue puddle on the floor.
Stepping clear, she walked toward the washstand. Only then did she catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror and note the irritating fact that her hat was still pinned to her head.
Blast it all!
Reaching up, she began ripping out the pins Adam had done such an excellent job of applying, heat rising in her cheeks at the memory.
How dare he order me about, she thought. Telling her to rest and change and come down to nuncheon like a good girl. From the way he talked, she was the veriest child, fomenting some immature rebellion instead of mourning a loss of the most grievous kind.
Michael would never have behaved like such an insensitive, overbearing bully, she thought. He wouldn’t have made me do things I do not wish to do, then use the excuse of its being for my own good. He—”
Abruptly she stopped, a sheen of moisture gathering in her eyes. Laying down the pins in her hand, she slowly pulled off her hat, the dyed dark feathers bobbing in a way that reminded her of those worn by the horses in a funeral cortege.
How could she have forgotten him for even an instant? She wondered as she sank into a nearby chair. How could Michael have been so far from her thoughts today when he was with her constantly? But for the first time since his death, hours had passed without Michael in them. Instead, she’d thought only of Adam today, the strength of his personality and the diversion provided by their outing driving everything else away.
Lord, she’d even slept curled against Adam’s side. And not just any sleep, but a deep, dreamless, refreshing sleep that left her feeling better than she had in ages.
On a soft moan, she covered her face with her hands.
Not long after, a light tap sounded at the dressing-room door, starched skirts whispering as someone entered the room.
“You’re back,” said Penny. “I just heard tell, or I’d ’ave been here sooner to help you out of your clothes. Did you have a good time on your ride?”
More tears filled Mallory’s eyes since that was precisely the problem. She had enjoyed herself all those minutes, all those hours, when she hadn’t been thinking about Michael.
“Oh, miss, what is it? What’s wrong?”
Lowering her hands, Mallory shook her head, unable to speak.
“Do you have a headache? Why don’t I draw you a nice hot bath, then you can lie down for a while.”
Sniffing, Mallory wiped at her tears. “Please draw the bath,” she whispered, her voice rough. “But I won’t have time to lie down. I am to attend nuncheon with the others.”
Penny made a clucking noise under her breath. “I’m sure everyone will understand if you don’t feel up to it.”
Everyone but Adam!
A little spurt of anger returned since she knew he would likely come upstairs after her if she didn’t appear at the appointed time. And she certainly wasn’t going to send down a note trying to explain her feelings. It would be impossible—as impossible as Adam Gresham himself.
No, she had no choice. She had to go. But that didn’t mean she had to like it.
“I’ll need an afternoon gown,” she told her maid. “Something appropriate for nuncheon and not too sombre.”
“Are you certain, miss? You look so pale. Maybe you took too much air today, and you’re coming down sick. Perhaps I should call your mother.”
“No. I am not sick, and you are not to call Mama.”
Penny’s mouth grew pinched. “One of the other ladies then? They just arrived back. I could send for Her Grace or Lady John or your cousin. Or Lady Cade, though I hate dist
urbing her seein’ how big she is with child. If it weren’t fer his lordship’s bad leg, I think he’d just have done with her slow gait and carry her around the house instead.”
“I rather suspect he would,” Mallory agreed, thinking about her brother, the wounds he’d suffered in the war and limp that would plague him for the rest of his days.
For a moment, she considered Penny’s suggestion, knowing it would be nice to talk to one of her sisters-in-law. She loved them all—Claire, Grace and Meg. Then there was her cousin India and her old London friends as well, Jessica and Daphne, whom she’d once whispered with about almost everything—beaux and gowns and any interesting piece of gossip that came their way.
But every time she considered expressing her sorrow over Michael’s passing and how lost and adrift she’d felt in the months since, she retreated deeper inside herself instead. She could barely express her grief to herself, let alone articulate it to someone else. She wanted to bury the pain, not dredge it all up again.
And she certainly didn’t want to tell them about Adam. Although what there was to say about him she really didn’t know other than the fact that he seemed to be infuriating her at every turn lately. Besides, given the family’s collective opinion on the subject of her mourning, they would probably support his every move!
“Just draw my bath and pick out a gown, any colour but white.”
Penny opened her mouth as if she had more to say, but she closed it instead and gave a nod. “Yes, miss.”
Eyes dry again, Mallory drew a deep breath and wondered how she was going to get through the remainder of the day.
CHAPTER 6
Perhaps I’m not dealing with Mallory as well as Edward believes, Adam decided on a doleful note as he waited outside the stables the next morning.
She was fifteen minutes late already, and he wondered if she would show up at all despite her promise to ride with him again today. Prodding her out of her blue devils had seemed like the right thing to do, only now he wasn’t so sure.
After their exchange of words yesterday on their return to the house, a renewed sadness seemed to have swept over her. She’d appeared for nuncheon at the appropriate time, attired in a lovely gown of apricot silk that lent an attractive glow to her raven tresses and creamy porcelain skin. And though she’d responded to any question or remark put to her by the others, she was otherwise silent, her eyes and humour downcast.
Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed Page 5