“I fear the nearness of you would completely destroy my good intentions, my lady. ’Tis safer if I sit here.”
Erienne relaxed back in the seat. The evening was off to a good beginning. She could only hope that his restraint would continue and her resistance would not be tested. Just the memory of his kiss could sap the strength from her limbs and leave her breasts tingling for the want of his caress.
Small interior lanterns gave off a weak light, softly illuminating his handsome face and making her aware of his casual gaze, but she was soon placated by his warm, masculine voice. He knew how to entertain with vivid stories, and she listened with avid interest, laughing now and then at his humor. The two of them, content to be in each other’s company, hardly noticed when less than an hour later, the coach turned up the drive to the Talbot mansion. As the coach came to a halt before the elaborate manse, Erienne sat forward in the seat, immediately tense and nervous. Christopher caught her brief, anxious glance and reached out to take hold of her hand. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
“You’ll likely set them all agog, Erienne,” he whispered.
A smile wavered on her lips, and she watched as he brought her fingers to his lips to kiss their pale tips slowly. The gentleness of his gesture plucked at the strings of her heart and set a seed of bittersweet yearning growing deep within her. Then his head raised and his gaze softly caressed the delicate visage.
“I think we’d better go in before I forget my promise and make love to you here and now.”
Erienne waited as he stepped lightly to the ground, then he turned back, offering up a hand. Though touching him sent the pulse leaping through her veins, she accepted his assistance to the door of the manse. Within the elaborate foyer, he drew the wrap from her shoulders, and though his touch was brief, it was like a soft caress. A maid received their cloaks, and they were led to the entry of the great hall. There the majordomo stepped ahead of them and decorously announced:
“Lady Saxton…”
A sudden hush settled over the guests as those present immediately turned, anxious to appease their curiosity about this woman and her husband, the purported beast of Saxton Hall. What they saw confused them, for the nightmare they had been prepared for was truly a vision in white standing on the threshold of the room with a tall, handsome gentleman at her side.
“And Mr. Seton.”
Almost as quickly as the silence fell, a confused medley of inquiries filled the room. Those who stood nearest Claudia heard her gasp, and they stared, baffled, as she hurried toward the couple. When she neared, she cast an eye in Christopher’s direction before scowling darkly at Erienne. What she blurted was not exactly what she had meant to say, but she could not think rationally when the sharp talons of rage clawed at her savagely.
“What are you doing here?”
Christopher stepped forward in a protective manner, half shielding Erienne with his bulk. “You invited me, remember? I have the invitation right here.” He thrust his hand in his coat. “Written in your own hand, I believe.”
“I know I invited you!” she replied impatiently. “But you were supposed to come alone!”
He smiled pleasantly. “My apologies, Claudia. Lord Saxton was otherwise occupied, and he desired that I should escort his lady.”
Claudia’s mouth tightened, and an icy coldness hardened the dark eyes. This was not what she had planned, not at all. She sorely regretted not being able to send the Lady Saxton home to her beastly husband. It was what the snip deserved for daring to come without him.
“You look positively divine, Erienne.” She made no attempt to hide the cool smirk in her smile. “I’m really surprised. Who would have thought that the mayor’s daughter could do so well in outfitting herself with jewels and all? Tell me, dear, are those baubles real?”
Christopher chuckled and answered the barb himself. “I understand they’ve been in Lord Saxton’s family for some time, and I suspect that they’re real enough. Of course, it would take an eye well acquainted with precious gems to recognize their worth, wouldn’t it?”
Claudia cast him an oblique glance. “Tell me, Christopher, why would Lord Saxton trust you to look after his lady? I would think the man would be most fearful of you.”
Laughter twinkled in his gray-green eyes as he waved a hand casually around the room. “Are we not well chaperoned, Claudia? Then there is Bundy and the coachman, Tanner. They would hasten to their mistress’ aid at the least hint of impropriety. You no doubt have heard how Lord Saxton put the thieves to rout? I’m certain he would give short shrift to any man who would try to take his lady from him.”
Claudia smiled blandly. “Then I hope you intend to be extremely careful, Christopher. I would hate to see such a handsome and charming man laid in his grave because he became enamored with his charge.”
“Thank you, Claudia. Your concern is touching.” He clicked his heels and bent forward in a shallow bow. “I shall take care.”
The woman was completely disarmed by his soft-spoken defense and with a last blazing glare at Erienne, Claudia moved away. Allan Parker stood talking with two other men near the corner of the room, and she strode purposely to him.
The sheriff was nearly as resplendent as his surroundings. His dark blue-and-gray garb was richly decorated with silver, giving it an almost military appearance, yet it was conspicuously void of either honors or rank. The bare shoulders of his coat seemed to cry out for epaulets, and the barren breast for medals of valor and badges of campaigns.
Slipping her arm through his, Claudia brought his rather skeptical gaze around to her. He seemed somewhat confused by her attention until he glanced toward the entry and saw Christopher with Erienne. The sight of the couple ended his puzzlement and brought a smile of amusement to his lips. But when his eyes flicked over Erienne in warm appreciation, his ribs received a quick, sharp jab from Claudia’s elbow. She was not about to let another man emend his favor because of an infatuation with her rival’s beauty.
“My lady,” Christopher murmured aside to Erienne, “I fear you have quite astounded everyone by your beauty.”
“They’re disappointed because Stuart didn’t come,” she whispered back. “But if they thought to make a laughingstock of him, they’re mightily mistaken. He is no one’s fool.”
“You sound as if you admire the man,” Christopher remarked.
“I do.”
He arched his brow as he contemplated her. “You do baffle me, Erienne. I had all hopes of you fleeing after a fortnight of wedlock with Stuart. I was waiting to welcome you with open arms. Now I am bemused as to what to do. Am I really to believe that you prefer a scarred cripple above me?”
Erienne glanced around at the lily-white faces that wore hopeful smiles and the eyes that watched Christopher in eager anticipation. She could have lost herself in deep reverie in that moment, having such a handsome man at her side, but the memory of Lord Saxton standing behind her in the silvered glass jolted her back to reality. “I have no second choice,” she stated bluntly. “What is done is done. I am honor-bound, and there can never be a turning back.”
Christopher’s eyes flicked about the room, in his turn taking note of the men who were still eyeing her. He guessed their thoughts were not so different from his own. Little did they know how strong-minded and determined the lady was. But then, he had always had a rather persistent nature himself, and he was not as easily daunted as other men.
Decorously he presented his arm. “Come, my sweet. People are staring, and I would have this dance before I find you swept away by some overzealous swain.”
He led Erienne forward on his arm, and the guests opened a corridor to the ballroom, where the musicians struck up a quick, lively tune. Before he could lead her onto the floor to join the rest of the couples, however, they were intercepted by a richly garbed servant. Indeed, his attire rivaled that of the royal house.
“Lord Talbot requests the presence of Lady Saxton in his study,” he loftily announced i
n monotone. He gave her a stiff bow. “If you will please follow me, my lady.”
Erienne looked worriedly toward Christopher, but he was already reaching to take her arm.
“Lead the way,” he bade the servant.
That one’s brows raised at the man’s audacity to invite himself. “I believe Lord Talbot requested only the lady’s presence, sir.”
A lazy grin drew up a corner of Christopher’s mouth. “Then he will be getting more than he bargained for, or nothing at all. I promised Lord Saxton that I would not let his lady out of my sight.”
The servant seemed momentarily perplexed as to what to do and finally decided to leave the matter up to his master. “This way, sir.”
Christopher guided her leisurely along in the wake of the impatient servant. They were taken through a door and down a long, wide corridor until they reached a pair of gilt-trimmed doors. Bidding them to wait, the servant rapped lightly and then entered. When he returned, he held open a door for their admittance.
Dressed out in white and gold satin liberally adorned with golden braid, Nigel Talbot rose from an ornate desk as they came in. He stepped around the end of the desk and moved to meet Erienne while his eyes eagerly devoured her beauty. They briefly touched the necklace before dropping to her bosom.
Erienne sank into a polite curtsy. “Lord Talbot.”
“My dear child, ’tis so good to see you again,” he said. As she straightened, he took both her hands into his and bestowed a kiss on each before raising his heated gaze once again. “You look absolutely ravishing,” he murmured, then glanced about. He had not been able to persuade his daughter to change her mind about inviting the Yankee and pointedly chose to ignore his presence. “But where is your husband? I thought he would be here with you.”
“Lord Saxton could not come,” she replied. “He addressed Mr. Seton to accompany me in his stead.”
Taking a pinch of snuff, Talbot looked Christopher over with a haughtily cocked brow, well aware that the younger man had not deemed to pay homage to him.
“The favor Lord Saxton asked of me was twofold, sir,” Christopher explained, withdrawing a packet from inside his coat and presenting it to the man. A slow smile touched his lips. “His lordship also asked me to bring this letter to you.”
Nigel’s eyes flicked over the Yankee with open distaste. Talbot broke the seal of the document and briefly scanned the contents. After a moment he raised a tightly controlled and carefully blank stare to Christopher, who was still smiling pleasantly. With a flick of his wrist, Talbot tossed the letter aside on a low table.
“There’s time enough for business at a later date.” His grand air had fled, and he faced Erienne, trying to force the stiff muscles of his face into some semblance of a smile. “Tonight we will enjoy the festivities. We have many guests from London and York, and they’ve come here to have a rare good time. I hope that is your intention, my lady.”
Within reason, Erienne mused, but managed a gracious reply. “Of course, my lord.”
“You may expect me to claim a dance or two later,” he stated, his expression easing somewhat. “I shall insist upon it. What with your newly acquired status and your husband barely known among the blooded classes, I’m sure you have need of someone to teach you the proper decorum of these affairs. I shall be most eager to lend my assistance in tutoring you.”
“Perhaps you mistake the Saxtons’ heritage,” Christopher responded smoothly. “If you’re unaware of it, they’re quite an old family, possibly older than your own.”
Lord Talbot slanted a questioning look toward the man. “You seem to know a lot about them, young man. As for myself, I was not that well acquainted with them. I met the old lord only briefly before he was murdered by those cutthroats. The present lord has remained rather reclusive.”
Christopher’s grin deepened. “Can you blame him?”
Lord Talbot gave a low snort. “I suppose if I were scarred to the degree he is, I would be loath to present myself in public, too. But the man should learn to trust someone, and ’tis certain I mean him no harm.”
“I have always found Lord Saxton to be a reasonable man, not unwilling to trust those who deserve it,” Christopher replied and slipped a hand beneath Erienne’s elbow. “If you will excuse us now, my lord, Lady Saxton promised me a dance.”
Talbot straightened himself indignantly. He was sure the fellow had completely lost his senses or lacked knowledge of the correct etiquette with a titled lord. Why, no one dared walk away from him before they were dismissed.
Christopher opened the door and with a crisp nod to the gawking man, drew Erienne out ahead of him. They were in the hall before she dared release her breath.
“Lord Talbot will never forgive you for that,” she whispered worriedly.
A low chuckle preceded his reply. “I don’t think I’ll miss his affection.”
“You should be more careful,” she warned. “He’s a man of much influence.”
“He’s a man of much arrogance, and I could not resist deflating him a bit.” Christopher looked down at her, and his eyes danced with green lights as he searched her face. “Do I actually detect some concern for me in your admonition, my sweet?”
“When you’re so reckless, someone needs to try to get you to listen to reason,” she said impatiently.
“I take heart that you care.”
“There’s really no reason for you to feel conceit,” she responded dryly.
“Ah, milady pricks me with her thorns and wounds me to the quick.”
“Your hide is thicker than an oxen’s,” she scoffed. “And your skull just as dense.”
“Don’t be mean, my love,” he coaxed. “Give me a warm smile to soothe this heart that beats only for you.”
“I’ve heard stories that convince me that your heart is quite fickle, sir.”
“Madam?” His brows raised in surprise. “Do you give credence to gossip?”
“Perhaps I should ask Claudia if it is true that you are wont to visit her while her father is away.” Erienne stared at him in open suspicion.
His amused laughter took the sting from her charge. “When I have expended so much energy on you, madam, how can you believe that I have any interest in another woman?”
Erienne glanced around to see if anyone stood near enough to overhear his words, then, assured that they were alone in the hall, leaned forward to whisper accusingly, “You have managed to accumulate a following of twittering females in Mawbry. Why shouldn’t I believe the rumors?”
“And why should you care if they are true?” he returned a question back at her. “You’re a married woman.”
“I know that!” she snapped.
His lips twitched with ill-suppressed amusement. “I thought you needed reminding, my love.”
“I am not your love!” she protested, as much to squelch the sudden sweet pang of pleasure his endearment caused as to discourage him.
“Oh, but you are,” he murmured warmly.
Those glowing eyes burned into hers, suffusing her with a growing aura of warmth. The trembling began again, and the strength in her limbs ebbed. How could she claim disinterest in the man when the very words from his mouth could so effectively stir her senses?
His gaze lowered and lightly caressed her bosom, dipping to where the green gem twinkled between her creamy breasts. Her breath halted as the kindling fire flared brighter in those grayish-green orbs, and then they caught and held her own.
“If you’re not aware of it yet, madam, I’m rather single-minded in my pursuits. You’re the woman I want, and I’ll not be satisfied until I have you.”
“Christopher, Christopher,” she groaned. “When will you ever accept the fact that I’m a married woman?”
“Only when I can claim you as my wife.” He lifted his head and thoughtfully listened to the strings of the violins as they began another melody. “Lord Talbot has a penchant for waltzes,” he mused aloud, “and if I know the man at all, he’ll soon be here requesting
your hand.” Purposefully he took her arm and led her onto the dance floor.
“Perhaps I have misjudged you, Christopher,” Erienne commented as he whirled her about in a wide sweep of the ballroom.
“How so, my love?” He searched her face for some hint of her meaning.
“You watch over me as closely as Stuart,” she stated and grew thoughtful. “Perhaps more so.”
“I have not given up hope that you will someday become mine, madam, and I choose to safeguard against those who would take you from me.”
“What of Stuart?” She raised a lovely brow as she awaited his answer.
A Rose in Winter Page 37