"Yes, Nicholas," Eliza whispered as she arched up, offering him her breasts again, eager now for what he could teach her. "I agree to your terms."
She felt him smile against her throat. "I was so hoping you would say that. You will not regret this, Izzy. I promise."
Then he brought his lips to hers for a true kiss, one that, this time, made her world stop and go black. Just as Nicholas' had done the night before. And for a moment, Eliza wondered if she had just sold her very soul to the devil in exchange for pleasure. If she had, she still wasn't certain she regretted it in the least.
Chapter Twelve
Town Tattler
Can it really be true? Has The Bloody Duke finally gone and fallen well and truly in love? After his actions last week when he was seen departing Lycosura, this observer had her doubts. After all, men like the duke do not change their tendencies overnight, do they? No, they most certainly do not! However, perhaps this particular change has been in the offing for quite some time, as evidenced by the attention the man in question has been showering upon his beloved lady. The Bloody Duke has been observed coming and going from the Framingham town home rather often, usually bearing a gift of some sort. As if he is truly courting her most properly. Has Lady Eliza honestly reformed this rake of the highest order? One must truly suppose so, especially after he was witnessed giving the cut direct - among other things - to one Miss Gianna Vienetti several nights past at the Evanston gala ball. While I was not in attendance - which I am certain was a mere oversight and nothing more - I understand from several people who were present that the lovely Italian warbler was furious. And he was the epitome of The Bloody Duke who then claimed his lady. Just as it should be.
On a related note, I am pleased to report that Lord Underhill's hair continues to grow and, as of this writing, it had been remarked upon by several people that his hair is almost identical to that of his sister's. So has the lost lord actually returned from the grave? It appears so. Or is there more treachery afoot? My sources say that there might be. Keep checking back, my dear readers. I, as your faithful observer, will, as always, attempt to uncover the truth - however ugly it might be.
-Madame C
For the next several days, Eliza could not regret her decision to agree to Nicholas' proposal, even as the scene at the Evanston ball continued to make the gossip rags all over town. Overnight Nicholas became the very definition of the perfect, proper suitor, paying her copious amounts of attention and showering her with gifts. One day it might be imported chocolates from Belgium and on another it might be a bouquet of the finest, pure white roses that could be found in all of London. Nicholas took her on carriage rides along Rotten Row, especially at the fashionable hour and even managed to convince Stephen to allow her to go riding with him - alone - in the park early one morning when no one else was up and about.
It was all practically perfect. Almost too perfect. For after that night in the ladies' retiring room where he had all but undressed her, save for a few chaste kisses, Nicholas never touched Eliza again. Much to her great and everlasting annoyance. She dreamed about the possibility of another kiss or caress often, certainly. After all, the feel of his lips on her nipple, teasing the tight bud until she all but ached, had been nothing short of pure heaven. And she wanted to feel that again. In fact she longed for it so much that she nearly ached.
And sometimes, given the way Nicholas gazed at her with heavily lidded eyes that were dark with desire, Eliza was certain he felt that longing as well, that same answering ache deep inside. But she could not figure out why he did not do anything about it.
Nicholas was not seeking his pleasure elsewhere. Eliza knew that with certainty. The gossipmongers watched him so closely that had he even attempted to sneak into a brothel in Covent Garden, it would be immediately reported with much glee the following morning.
Yet when Nicholas left her at night, Eliza could not say where he went. She had no idea. She didn't even have suspicions, though she doubted very much he went directly home. He was a man, after all. Still, he had promised her that he would be faithful and she believed him. Nicholas was many things but he did not lie. Not to her. Not over something so important.
The only reason he had not chosen to bed her yet had to be related to Stephen, she decided. Though when they were together, neither of them spoke of her brother. So Eliza reasoned that Nicholas must be off in the depths of the night trying to uncover more information about the man claiming to be Viscount Underhill. That was why the duke had yet to invite her to his bed. It had to be. After all, that particular matter was of the utmost importance. To everyone.
Eliza's every instinct screamed that Stephen was not who he claimed to be. But the gossip rags that morning had not lied either. His hair was growing in, thick and messy. And very much a wheat blonde color. Just like hers.
If he was not of her blood, then she did not know who he was. She was living under the same roof with the man and the staff was loyal to her. Not so much to him just yet, for they had their doubts as well. Both Wilson and Tibbs had made that plain. If Stephen was up to no good, bleaching his hair or some other sort of trickery, Eliza would be informed about it. Because the servants would know. And, at present, she made certain their salaries were paid in full and on time with generous bonuses. Not Stephen. And she paid them very well indeed. For if word leaked out that the Framingham marquisate had been - and to some extent still was - being run by a female, they would all be ruined.
Eliza was still pondering all of this and more when Tibbs announced that Lady Sophia had arrived for a visit. That was odd, as Sophia had not sent a note ahead of her to make certain that Eliza would be available. After all, with Eliza's social schedule these days, it was not certain that she would be home.
So when Sophia arrived, trailed by a lovely, slightly older woman with thin, delicate scars on her face, Eliza was more than a little surprised. She also immediately recognized Lady Julia Sinclair, the Duchess of Radcliffe. Nicholas' sister.
"Your grace." Immediately, Eliza sprang to her feet and dropped into a deep curtsey. "My apologies. I was only expecting Lady Sophia. My butler did not announce your presence, so I beg your apology."
Lady Sinclair smiled. "I know. That was as I had instructed. I was afraid that you might not admit me if you realized I was here to visit as well." Then she waved a hand in the air. "And please, call me Julia. There is no need to be formal with me. Especially not as you are the lucky woman to have captured the interest of my rakehell brother."
Immediately, Eliza's heart sank. She should have expected that Julia Sinclair would eventually come to call. In particular about this issue. The duchess was known and respected among the women of the ton for her resolve and her refusal to be bullied. Were she not so strong, she would never have captured the heart of her duke. And she was most likely here now to command Eliza to stay away from Nicholas. And she was, of course, well within her rights. The Duke of Candlewood could do far better for himself than Lady Eliza Deaver and all of society knew it.
"I shall ring for a tea tray," Eliza replied, reaching for the bell pull, but Julia stayed her hand.
"Actually, I was hoping you would accompany us on a shopping expedition to the modiste's." There was something familiar about the way Julia's eyes sparkled with what looked like mischief, and Eliza could see a hint of Nicholas' own wit and charm there. Apparently the siblings were more alike than anyone knew. "My old gowns simply do not fit, even though I have lost weight after giving birth to my precious Jonathan. I fear that I shall need a new wardrobe. Or at least part of one."
Eliza frowned. This was not at all what she had expected. "And you wish for me to accompany you?"
"I do." Julia smiled serenely. "My darling husband has given me leave to purchase whatever I would like, and I intend to do just that. I would welcome another lady's opinion today. I was hoping that it would be yours, as Lady Sophia has already graciously agreed to accompany me."
For a moment, Eliza's gaze darted to Soph
ia. "I wasn't aware that the two of you were that well acquainted." Eliza and her friends had all met Lady Sinclair, of course, mostly through their mutual friend Diana, but Eliza could not say that she had ever spent much time in the elegant duchess' presence. Then again, she had been in mourning a very long time and once out, was already a bluestocking spinster. And Julia had spent most of her life in seclusion at Seldon Park. So it made sense that their paths had not crossed much before this.
Sophia merely flicked her wrist. "It is a relative new acquaintance, to be sure. But," she smiled warmly at Lady Sinclair, "Julia is truly wonderful. A more perfect lady you would never hope to meet."
That was just lovely. For Eliza was anything but a lady these days. Well, she pretended to be, of course, but no true lady would agree to an affair with a gentleman who was a known rogue like Nicholas Rosemont. And suddenly, she had the distinct impression that Julia knew exactly what sort of proposal her brother had made to Eliza.
"As you wish, your grace. Sophia." Eliza curtseyed again. "Just allow me to gather my reticule and my spencer. I shall return in a moment." As she departed to collect her things, just for a moment, Eliza wished that some unseen force from above would reach down and strike her dead so that she would not be forced to endure the afternoon that stretched out before her. Because if that did not happen, she was afraid that by the time the day was at an end, her never-truly-begun affair with Nicholas would be as well.
Nearly three hours later, Eliza was wondering why she had ever been hesitant to join Sophia and Julia on the shopping expedition in the first place. Truly, Nicholas' sister was a delight, and surprisingly, Julia believed that Eliza was good for her brother. In fact, Julia had gone so far as to say that Eliza was precisely the sort of woman Nicholas - whom she always referred to as Nicky - required as his wife. A woman who did not fawn all over him or fall at his feet in a swoon. And especially a woman who was not afraid of him.
It was clear that Sophia had her doubts about that last part, but then, she had not grown up with Nicholas in her life. Eliza had.
"I missed him greatly while he was away," Julia said as she perused the fabrics Madame LaVallier had spread out on a table before them, a cup of tea at her wrist should she wish it. "But I also understood my parents' hesitancy to allow him to remain at Seldon Park. There were too many rumors even then swirling about him and Benjamin. About what they had both done to protect me."
The other woman spoke off-handedly about the incident from her past, but Eliza knew it had to be extremely difficult for her, especially since Benjamin had killed his own father before the man had a chance to kill Julia. Julia had been a child, barely old enough to understand what was happening to her or why the man she had often considered a second father was slicing her body open with a fencing foil. Even now, Eliza was not certain how Julia had endured such pain. She was not certain she would have been as strong.
"And I never questioned why Nicholas was at Langton Abby. He was merely Stephen's friend and a fixture in the house during the long summer months. And while my father did not approve of the friendship, my mother did." Eliza sighed wistfully as she fingered a bit of gold brocade, thinking that it might make a wonderful cape. Though she did not dare spend the funds today, the issue with Stephen still unresolved. "They were stronger then. My parents, I mean." Then she quickly clamped her mouth shut. It would not do to reveal too many of her family's closely guarded secrets.
But unsurprisingly, Julia already knew much and from the expression on Sophia's face, she did as well. "Your parents stopped living when Stephen died, didn't they?" Julia raised an eyebrow, so much like her brother that it was frightening. "They left you to pick up the pieces. My mother did much the same when my father died." The duchess held up a pair of new French silk stockings, examining them with a critical eye. "That is when Nicholas became the duke. But he wasn't like our father."
"I know." Eliza swallowed. "Or, rather, I know some of it. Your brother came to see my father often in those days, seeking advice. Or so he said." She shrugged, uncertain how valuable any advice her father had to offer at that point in time would have been to Nicholas.
Julia put down the pair of stockings. "How much do you know about my brother, Eliza?" It was clear she was not accusing. Merely wondering.
Eliza honestly considered the question for a moment. "As well as can be expected, given our disjointed relationship, I suppose. Until Stephen died, your brother was a fixture in my life, at least to some degree. After that? I saw him at balls and the like, but we did not speak much." She fingered the brocade again. "I know he does not scare me as he does other young women. But I am neither young nor a fool. And I know the man he used to be."
"Good." Julia nodded, seeming pleased. "I know he is courting you and, I shall be honest, at first, I had my doubts about the matter. My brother is a man that few know well and even fewer still can claim as a true friend." Then she eyed Eliza critically. "But you do not fear him. Not like the others do. More than that, you know him in a way other ladies do not."
Eliza shrugged, trying not to blush, for soon, she would likely know Nicholas far better than she presently did. "To me, he is merely Nicholas. A boy I used to know who grew into a man. One I cannot fear, no matter that he is The Bloody Duke. As far as I know, he has never actually killed anyone, though I might be wrong about that. If he has done such a thing, I am also fairly certain they probably deserved it."
Then she turned and faced Julia fully. She was tired of playing this game. In fact, she was beyond frustrated with the entire Rosemont family at the moment. "I know Nicholas does not love me, nor will he ever. He is not capable of it. And while I do not know all of the details regarding his involvement with Lady Berkshire, I know that it ended badly when it should not have even begun in the first place." Eliza drew in a deep breath. "So yes, I have allowed him to court me. I am old and growing older. As is he. While neither of us can lay claim to a grand love affair, we both know the meaning of responsibility. Especially Nicholas to the dukedom. And I to my family. He needs a wife and an heir. I am hopeful that I am still young enough to provide him with one. That is all that there is between us. Nothing more."
She conveniently didn't mention the passion that had flared in the ladies' retiring room. No need for the man's sister to know that he had all but undressed Eliza in a very public setting. Or that she had wanted him to do so.
"I am impressed," Julia admitted while Sophia could do little more than gape at the exchange. "I did not think you were aware of his less than honorable activities. There are rumors of course, but few truly know."
Shrugging, Eliza turned back to the fabrics. She was afraid that she had revealed too much. "I listen."
"Much as he does." There was a gleam in Julia's eyes just then that reminded Eliza of Nicholas once more. "I can see why the two of you suit." Then she shook her head, as if dismissing an idea she had not dared to voice aloud. "Please. Do not think that I am being meddlesome or that I disapprove. But Nicky has been vulnerable in the past. Both Lord Berkshire and Lord Landover would have destroyed him if given the chance and would most likely welcome the opportunity to do so again. I do not wish to see him hurt."
For a moment, Eliza thought of Stephen and of how she would feel if he began courting an unknown woman - and a wallflower at that! - out of seemingly nowhere. She, too, would likely be suspicious. Even if the man in question wasn't really her brother.
"I understand your concerns, Julia." For the first time, Eliza dared to use the woman's Christian name and for some reason, that made Lady Radcliffe smile. "Truly, I do. But Nicholas is no longer the weak and powerless man he once was. And believe me when I say that I do not go into this courtship with blinders on. I know him, probably far better than most. And I would never hurt him. He was too good of a friend to my brother and later my father for me to betray him."
Eliza paused for a moment, not certain if she wanted to add the last part of her thoughts. Finally, she decided there was no harm in it. "In th
e end, we might not marry. After all, we are only yet courting and there has been no mention of an offer for my hand. But if we do part company, rest assured that whatever I have learned about Nicholas? I will take it to my grave."
That was as reassuring as Eliza knew how to be. She could offer nothing more.
However, that seemed to satisfy Julia, for the other woman laughed. "You must think me silly. Or overly emotional now that I am a mother." She gestured for one of Madame LaVallier's shop girls, indicating that she was finally ready to place her order. "It is simply that Nicky gave up quite a bit to protect me over the years, especially when he could little afford to do so. In fact, I dare say that in some respects, he has given up his entire life for those he cares about, leaving very little left over for himself. Now, I feel compelled to do the same for him if I can. Even though he doesn't need me to do so, I am certain."
Images of Nicholas seducing women at balls over the years raced through Eliza's mind. Of the way he had suckled at her breasts so delightfully or the way he had kissed the hollow of her throat, dipping his tongue into the little indentation as if she was the most delectable treat ever. Of his offer to seduce her. To bed her. To introduce her to the pleasures of the flesh with no care for conceiving a child. No, Eliza did not believe Nicholas required his sister's protection. Though she did think it was sweet of Julia to be concerned.
"Perhaps he does not," Eliza offered thickly, feeling herself grow damp between her legs at the idea of Nicholas seducing her. In fact the mere idea of him just touching her set her nearly ablaze with longing. Which she should most decidedly not be doing in the middle of the modiste's shop! "However, it is still kind of you to be concerned. But I know what he is about, Julia, and I understand him. As well as any woman can understand a man I suppose."
The Secret Seduction of Lady Eliza Page 17