Seven Rogues for Christmas: A Historical Romance Holiday Collection
Page 12
She bowed her head and then stood to leave. When she reached the entrance her step-mother’s voice made her pause. “Juliette dear,” Eloise said. “I’ll escort you to your room. There is something I wish to speak with you about.”
Drat. What did the woman want? Hadn’t she done enough to ruin her life? Juliette turned and met Eloise’s gaze. “I look forward to it.” She waited for the countess to join her. They strolled side by side down the hall in silence. When was she going to say something?
“I hope you won’t put up a fuss about the marriage,” Lady Riverdale began. “Lord Payne will make a good husband for you.”
Juliette bit down on her bottom lip. A drop of blood trickled into her mouth from the impact. If she said what was truly in her heart Lady Eloise would make things much worse for her, and escape near impossible. For now she must appear as biddable as possible.
“I look forward to starting a family of my own. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“Good. I’m glad we were able to arrange an advantageous match for you.”
They reached Juliette’s chamber. Thank God. She could bid Eloise good night and start her plan of escape. “Good night Lady Riverdale.” She always addressed Eloise formally. It was what Eloise preferred. In her thoughts though she called her anything she wanted. The countess nodded her head dismissing Juliette.
After she was inside she locked the door and pulled out her reticule. She’d not be able to take much with her, but there were a few items she refused to leave behind. Most of it was sentimental in value as she had little worth. The little bit of pin money she had would have to do. She hoped it wouldn’t matter either way.
If he kept the promise he made her all those years ago, she’d not worry for anything. He was her last hope, and if he refused her she’d have no choice but to follow her father’s dictate. She prayed it wouldn’t come to that. It was a sad day indeed when her life depended upon the Duke of Kissinger—desolate rake, debaucher of anything in a skirt, and a reprobate of the highest level. The scandal sheets took pleasure in outlining many of his exploits.
Chapter 2
Grayson Abbot, the Duke of Kissinger lounged in his study sipping a fine brandy. He’d vacated his good friend Christian, the Marquis of Knightly’s townhouse earlier that evening. He enjoyed the company of good friends, and the townhouse definitely boasted a few of them, but he’d also been a little depressed watching them bask in their happiness. An emotion that had eluded him for more years than he recalled. No that wasn’t entirely true, he could pinpoint the exact moment when it had been ripped from his life.
He blamed his father for it.
Grayson lifted the goblet of brandy in a mock toast. “This is to you good ole’ dad.” He downed the remaining contents in one gulp. It was more than the bastard deserved.
After he’d gone away to Eton he’d not been permitted to return home. It was his father’s brand of tough love. The previous duke hadn’t liked his growing friendship with the Earl of Riverdale’s daughter. Boys don’t have girls as playmates—at least according to the dictates of his late father.
His death freed Grayson in so many ways, but his fate had been set long before that blessed event. Instead of giving into his father’s demands of education and strict structure of running the estates, Grayson took a different path. One that led to debauchery of every kind imaginable. It was an endeavor he took very seriously. Decadence, followed by wickedness, could only be done right when he threw himself into it whole heartedly. He’d not regretted one moment of it. At that point in his life he’d already lost anything worth keeping, and all he’d held dear would forever be out of reach.
“Pardon me, Your Grace,” his butler, Burrows, said. “A visitor is here to see you.”
Grayson growled at the announcement. “Who the bloody hell would come here at this late hour?” All of his friends were still at Knightly’s townhouse. He’d left to escape their sickly outpouring of joy. This was unacceptable. Was it too much to ask for peace and quiet in his own home?
“It’s a lady, Your Grace.”
Well, well, that was something different entirely. A woman was exactly what he needed. He rubbed his chin and considered who it could be. Lady Danvers had taken an interest in him when he ran into her at the opera, or it could be the lead in the opera… The list was endless. He liked to keep his options open and never committed to any one woman.
“By all means show the lady in,” he ordered. “A lady is always welcome to keep me company.” Burrows remained still inside the doorway. Why hadn’t he gone to retrieve the woman already. Grayson was excited to see which fair beauty had the daring to grace his home uninvited. “Why are you still standing there? Go fetch her. It’s not good to keep a lady waiting. They don’t like that sort of thing.” Unless it built up passion and desire, then the screams were well worth it.
Burrows cleared his throat. “It’s not that kind of lady, Your Grace.”
His butler was well acquainted with Grayson’s proclivities. If he said the woman in question wasn’t his usual sort—that could only mean one thing. It was an innocent he wouldn’t have the pleasure of ravishing, that is, unless he planned on being caught by the parson’s trap. Something he had no intention of ever doing. He didn’t care if he never had an heir to pass his title down to. The damned thing could go to whatever distant cousin was next in line.
“In that case,” he replied. “Please inform the chit I’m not at home to visitors.” A part of him wondered who it was, but he couldn’t allow himself the honor of finding out. She was better off not entering any further than the foyer. Just being in his home could tatter her reputation. He was doing her a favor by denying her an audience.
“When it’s clear you very much are?” A feminine voice filled the room.
Grayson sighed. She wasn’t going to be denied anything apparently. It was too late to save her from herself. Very well, he’d deal with her and then send her on her way. He turned and sucked in a breath momentarily stunned. A silhouette of pure beauty greeted him. Her midnight tresses were wound up and bound neatly into an elegant chignon. His fingers itched to unwind it and see it flow over her luscious curves. All of this and he’d still not seen her face. When she finally turned to meet his gaze he lost all ability to breathe. Those sea-green eyes kept him riveted in place. He should stand and greet her but his body refused to function. She was the last person he expected or wanted to enter his home.
“What no words?” She raised an eyebrow. “And I thought you were noted as the witty duke amongst the ton. I must say, I’m rather disappointed.”
Grayson drank in the sight of her. He wanted to remember her as she stood before him for the rest of his days. She was glorious, proud, and fearless. “Didn’t your father teach you better than to enter the lion’s den?” He lifted a brow mockingly. “You could very well get eaten alive.”
Her lips tilted at the corner. “I rather like my chances.” She moved further into the room. “After all I’ve tamed a lion before.”
“There’s a difference between a young cub, and a full grown male, Jules,” he explained. “One is more docile and willing to cuddle. The adult wants to be petted—in other ways.” He stood up and gazed directly into her eyes. “A bite can be pleasurable or….” Grayson crossed over to her side and leaned down, whispering in her ear, “or painful depending on your preference.”
Juliette took a deep breath but remained where she stood. He’d give her that much. She’d always been a stubborn girl, and apparently she’d not grown out of that trait. If she didn’t take a step back soon he’d be forced to make a choice. Either he pulled her into his arms and kissed her the way he craved or he put distance between them respecting her innocence. It was a hard decision and warred deep inside him, but he did what was best for her. Turned out that some things were ingrained. Protecting her had always been his first instinct.
“If you’re done trying to intimidate me, I have something I wish to discuss with you.”
“It seems you’ve had plenty already.” She scrunched her nose up with displeasure. “Must you pour more down your throat?”
He lifted a brow. “One doesn’t pour fine brandy down their throat,” he mocked. “It’s sipped, savored, and drawn out to enhance the enticing flavor. Good liquor is as delectable as a woman. A fine one deserves slow intricate attention to thoroughly appreciate it.”
She sighed. “All you had to do was say no.” Juliette placed her hands on her hips. “You can dispense with your rake rhetoric. I don’t have time for it.”
Just like that she dismissed everything he’d said as nonsense. Why wasn’t any of it working on her? Other ladies swooned when he spoke with such wickedness. But not Lady Juliette, no, she brushed it aside as nonsense. How was he to scare her off if she didn’t take a word he said seriously?
“Would you like a drink?” Grayson gestured toward the decanter. “It appears you could use a stiff one.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
She glanced at the brandy and then back at him. “Yes. Please pour me a glass. It’s been a tiresome day, and it would help me relax.”
It was the last thing he expected to come out of her mouth. Maybe he didn’t know her as well as he’d thought. It had been a long time since they’d had an actual conversation. Sure, he’d been kept informed, but that wasn’t the same as being a part of her life. Keeping his distance had seemed like a good idea. Now that she was in front of him, and more beautiful than he recalled, his error was clear.
He poured her brandy and handed it to her. “Why haven’t you married?”
Her mother’s death had stopped her season early, but that shouldn’t have prevented her from having several potential suitors. Why hadn’t she had another season after her mourning period ended? Was her grief that great? She should be married, happy, and a mother of several children by now. It had been what he’d prayed for.
The tidbits he’d garnered over the years told him the little details. Riverdale, along with his daughter, remained in London, the earl remarried and had his heir, and Lady Juliette was fast becoming a spinster who rarely went out in society. He didn’t quite understand why.
“No one wants me. I was a wallflower, and then I had no season at all.”
He found that hard to believe. Who wouldn’t want her? She was more beautiful than any woman he’d ever known. Perhaps he saw her differently, but he doubted it. The small glimpse of her he’d had at her come out ball had been enough for him to see how lovely she’d become. It was the last sight he’d had of her before he ran to the nearest gaming hell and drowned his sorrows in a bottle of brandy. He barely recalled much after that. Somehow he’d managed to find his way home and had planned to spend the night alone.
“They’re all fools,” he said. “None of them deserve you.” He swallowed half the contents of his glass.
“Yes, well, you weren’t there. So how would you know?”
It pained him to see the hurt filling her eyes. She glanced down and played with the rim of her glass. Grayson could tell her he’d gone, but what good would that do? He’d not been able to stay. His father had still been alive then and held him in check. Soon after that the damage had been done and he’d found solace in becoming a man his father despised.
“Right you are.” He lifted his glass and saluted her. “Your skill at putting me in my place has always been superior.”
Juliette lifted her glass and took a long unladylike swig. She sat on a nearby settee and settled her glass on the table next to it. “I’m not here to trade barbs with you.”
“That’s right you had something you wished to discuss.” He swallowed the contents of his drink. The longer she was in his home the harder it was becoming to keep his hands to himself. Perhaps drinking was a foolish idea, but it kept him busy on something other than her. He filled his glass once again and turned his attention to her. “What are you waiting for? Tell me why I’m honored with your presence after I don’t know how many years.”
“Fifteen,” she replied.
“Heh?”
“It has been, well almost, fifteen years since you left for Eton. You didn’t write, you never came home again, and you forgot about me.” She played with her skirt. “The anniversary of the end of our friendship is in less than a sennight, but I don’t expect you to remember.”
“Right again,” he said. The truth would be his to own. Maybe one day he’d explain it all. Today wasn’t that day. “But we’ve digressed again. Please state your reason for coming here today. I’d like to retire for the evening and this conversation has grown tedious.”
“It’s simple really,” Juliette said. “I need you to marry me.”
“Come again?” He had to have heard her wrong. How much of the brandy had he imbibed?
“You promised me,” she explained. “If I ever needed you, you’d be there for me.” She lifted her lashes and stared into his eyes. “My life depends on your willingness to assist me. This is imperative, please say you’ll help me.”
Bloody hell… How could he say no to that?
Easy enough, open up his mouth and utter the words she didn’t want to hear. “No.”
The Duke of Kissinger wasn’t the marrying sort and it was better she understood that straight away.
Chapter 3
“No?” The blasted man had dismissed her without hearing her out. “That’s it? You won’t even listen to me?”
“If it is to beg me to marry you,” he replied. “Then we’re done. There’s nothing more to say on the matter.”
Ohhhh. He was so obstinate. She wanted to shake him and make him see reason. Unfortunately that wouldn’t garner in any good. Juliette didn’t believe in wasting her time. He’d left her no choice but to make him listen. Nothing would make her move from his home until he did. The dastardly duke owed her at least that much.
“I understand.” She forced herself to continue meeting his gaze. “I’d hope the rumors weren’t true.”
“Trust me they’re much worse,” he replied in a husky tone. “Maybe one day I’ll share some of my more titillating stories with you.”
“Oh?” Juliette lifted a brow. As if she wanted to hear about him with other women, but perhaps that was the point. He hoped to scare her into silence. She’d bet every last bit of her pin money he’d not appreciate it being turned back on him. “What’s stopping you? I’d love to hear some of your seedier tales. It’s past time we reacquainted ourselves with each other.” She patted the settee, batting her eyelashes at him. “Come sit down and tell me everything.”
“You’re an unnatural female,” he blustered. “Leave it to you to take the fun out of everything.”
Well that went better than she’d anticipated. He’d not be unloading his more lecherous proclivities upon her. Juliette was grateful as she’d not been particularly keen about listening to any of it.
“Are you ready to pay attention now?” She sipped on her brandy. Her life depended on him agreeing to marry her. “I’m rather tired it’s been a trying day. I’d like to settle this so we can move onto the next step.”
“There is no next step,” Grayson replied. “I believe I said no.”
Juliette would not be deterred. Her whole life everything good had either been taken away or put on hold. At one time this man before her had been on the list of good things. She’d like for him to be on that list once again. Either way it didn’t change her current situation. Without Grayson’s help she’d be left with little choice. Marrying Lord Payne wasn’t something she could stomach, and might not live through if even a fraction of what she’d heard was true. Most people didn’t
pay her any mind and she’d overheard details not meant for innocent ears.
“My father has arranged a marriage for me…”
“Good then you don’t need me.” He turned away from her. “Glad we had this chat.”
What would it take to make him understand how dire her situation was? He’d understand once she said the name of the man her father intended to betroth her to. If she’d heard about his sadistic demeanor, then Grayson would probably have firsthand knowledge. Juliette took a deep breath and said, “Lord Payne.”
Grayson whipped around and met her gaze. “Viscount Payne?”
“Is there any other Lord Payne you’re familiar with?”
He shook his head and narrowed his eyes. “What does the lord in question have to do with anything?”
“Not much,” she said in feigned nonchalance. “He’s only my intended groom.”
A string of curse words came out of his mouth that should have made Juliette blush. Finally he was beginning to understand the dire nature of her situation. Maybe she should have led with that information. It might have saved her some time. As stubborn as Grayson was though, she doubted it.
“He’s to sign the contract within the sennight.” She stood and walked over to him. “Less than that from what my father told me earlier. I can’t marry him. I’d prefer to stay a spinster living in a cozy cottage with a bunch of cats for company. Anything is preferable to marrying that dreadful man.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’m desperate or I wouldn’t be here. I’d hoped you would recall the long ago promise and honor it. Please, Gray, help me. If you marry me I’ll have the protection of your name. There would be nothing my father or Lord Payne could do.”
He scrubbed his hands over his face and sighed. “I don’t want to marry. It’s nothing to do with you, in fact, you deserve far better than the likes of me.” His eyes were filled with a misery she didn’t understand. The joking rake had disappeared and a piece of the Grayson she’d used to know stood before her. “I did make you a promise, and I should keep it. You’re right, Lord Payne can’t have you.”