A Scandalous Deception (23 page)

Beside her, Juliet sucked in a breath and
grabbed a handful of counterpane. Her features, at once, all looked
quite strained.

“Are you all right?” Lissy whispered, wishing
she had some clue what to do.

Juliet released her breath, though her pretty
features were still tinged with pain. “Just a contraction.”

“A contraction!” Lissy touched a hand to her
heart. Good heavens! The baby was coming now? “I’ll send for Doctor
Perkins,” she said, and would have scrambled off the bed, but her
sister grasped her hand and squeezed.

“Don’t go,” she pleaded. “He’ll be along soon
enough, but you just got here. And you were going to tell me all
the news from Town.”

Was she? It was hard to remember anything at
this point.

“Truly, Lissy, it wasn’t even a painful one.
Do give me something else to think about. What did I miss this
Season?”

Lissy sat a little taller, trying to focus on
the most interesting news from London, something her sister might
be interested in. “Well,” she began, “let’s see. Lucinda Potts ran
off to Gretna with the new Lord Brookfield.”

“He has to be better than the old Lord
Brookfield, doesn’t he?”

On that they could agree. “Even with his
scandalous reputation, I don’t imagine he could be worse.” Lissy
smiled. “What else? Oh, speaking of rogues, Olivia and Kelfield are
in Town for the season this year. And she was welcomed more warmly
than she has been in the past.”

“That is good.” Julie smiled. “Poor girl has
had a rough time of it.”

And had ever since a certain house party at
Prestwick Chase a few years back. But that was what happened when
one did foolish things like fall in love with notorious rakes,
one’s reputation took a beating, something the new Lady Brookfield
would soon find out. Even so, it had to be a much better choice
than running off and marrying a sadistic ship’s captain on the
other side of the world, so Olivia Kelfield and Lucinda Brookfield
had Lissy there.

She shook her head, determined not to focus
on that last bit. “Cordie and Clayworth are in residence too, but…”
But she probably shouldn’t mention her friend’s miscarriage, at
least not during her sister’s current state. Foolish, foolish thing
to say.

“But?” Juliet’s brown eyes widened
expectantly.

Lissy frowned. Changing topics was most
certainly necessary. “Jules, do you know of any gentlemen who owe
Clayworth a large debt?”

“A gambling debt?” her sister asked. “Luke
might know, but I—”

“I didn’t get the feeling it was gambling
related.” Lissy shook her head. “You remember Bella Winslett? My
friend from that ladies’ academy Georgie had insisted upon?”

“Of course. Shy girl.” Juliet’s brow furrowed
as though she was trying to remember more clearly. “Her brother is
Lord Gillingham, isn’t he?”

Lissy nodded, then told her sister everything
about Bella Winslett, her awful Prussian cousin, Lissy’s plan for a
pretend betrothal, and Cordie’s mysterious mention of a fellow who
owed Clayworth a rather large debt. By the time she was through
with her tale, Juliet was giggling and protectively holding her
belly with both arms.

“Heavens, Lissy!” she laughed.

“Well, I had to do something,” Lissy replied.
“It’s not fair that Bella should be forced to marry some horrid
Prussian against her will. And Gillingham is no help at all. Foxed
all the time. He even cast up his accounts upon some fellow at the
Astwicks’ not too long ago.”

A look of horror splashed upon her sister’s
face. “That is awful.”

Indeed. Poor Bella. Hopefully she was faring
well with Cordie back in London. “At least you’re amused. Fin was…”
Lissy’s smile faded.

“Fin was what?” Juliet asked.

Heavens, it would be easier if she didn’t
think about Fin every few minutes. “Fin was Fin. Quite angry about
the entire thing.”

Her sister draped an arm around Lissy’s
shoulder and squeezed her affectionately. “Well, I think you’re
brilliant. You might even put Caroline Staveley to shame with your
genius.”

“High praise, indeed.” Lissy grinned in
response. After all, Juliet’s sister-in-law was known for her
wildly successful scheming over the years.

“Oh, for God’s sake, don’t encourage her,”
Fin said from the threshold, and Lissy’s merriment vanished in an
instant. “It was all I could do to keep her from embroiling Edmund
in this madness.”

“Fin!” Juliet reached out a hand towards him,
completely unaware that his presence made Lissy’s heart race and
break all at the same time. “I am so glad to see you. Thank you so
much for bringing Lissy to me.”

“It was my pleasure,” Fin replied, stepping
further into Juliet’s chambers.

His eyes strayed to Lissy and heated her skin
anew. Blast it all. How was she supposed to behave normally when
just a glance from him could set her aflame?

“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” he asked
her sister as he reached the edge of the bed.

Juliet winced and said, “Perfectly miserable.
But I’m having this baby today, no matter what. I am glad you’re
both here for it.”

That was a thing to say. Lissy couldn’t help
but laugh. “Fairly certain it doesn’t work that way, Jules.”

But her sister sat straight up in bed, or as
straight as she was able in her current state. “I dare the gods to
defy me. I’ve been suffering contractions all week long. And this
baby is coming today.” Then she focused all of her attention on Fin
and said, “You do know what today is, don’t you?”

He frowned for just a moment and then
bestowed Juliet with his most charming smile. “Georgie’s birthday,”
he replied, and a twinge of jealousy stung Lissy, which was
ridiculous. Why shouldn’t Fin remember Georgie’s birthday? And why
should she feel jealous that he did? For heaven’s sake, she was
Lissy’s sister. But he’d said he loved Lissy, and…Well, he’d loved
Georgie too. She’d always known that. But none of that was neither
here nor there. She couldn’t have Fin anyway, so what did it matter
if he knew without a moment’s hesitation that today was Georgie’s
birthday or not? It shouldn’t matter. It shouldn’t bother her in
the least. But it did.

Juliet clapped her hands together. “Your
memory is much better than Luke’s.”

His brown eyes twinkled with mirth. “Would
you think less of me if I admitted that he’s the one who reminded
me?”

“Fin!” Juliet’s mouth dropped open.

“Sorry, Jules. I have been preoccupied of
late.” He shrugged and then continued, “Do I get credit for my
honesty?”

“An honest politician.” Juliet laughed. “Such
a novelty.” And then she sucked in a swift breath of air and
squeezed Lissy’s hand so hard, Lissy thought her fingers might
break off in her sister’s grasp. “Fin,” Juliet said through
clenched teeth, “would you please get Luke for me? And ask someone
to send for Doctor Perkins?”

Lissy sucked in a quick breath of her own.
The baby
was
coming! Oh, good heavens! Panic gripped her
heart and Juliet squeezed her hand even harder.

“Of course. Of course.” Fin nodded quickly
and then rushed from Juliet’s chambers.

“Jules,” Lissy said, trying to retrieve her
hand from her sister. “You are hurting me.”

“Oh!” Juliet instantly released Lissy’s hand.
“Sorry.” She looked so frightened all of a sudden, which did
nothing to calm Lissy’s nerves. Heavens! Juliet had been through
this before. Why in the world did she look frightened now?

“Are you all right?” she asked, for lack of
anything intelligent to say.

Juliet nodded tightly. “I’m just so glad
you’re here.”

Though Lissy would do anything for Juliet,
she did wish she was anywhere but here right now. She wasn’t a good
nursemaid, not as far as birthing babies went. She never had been.
And the panic that was coursing through her veins made it more than
clear that she wouldn’t start being a good one today. Actually,
breathing was becoming a bit difficult. And the little flashes of
light circling her vision made her a bit…light headed. And…

“L—i—ssy?” Juliet’s voice sounded so far
away…

Fin’s heart squeezed in his chest at the
sight of Lissy’s limp form on the bed. Beckford had, of course,
raced from his study to Juliet’s chambers as soon as Fin found him.
The man had bolted through The Chase in record time, though Fin was
right on his heels the whole way.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, Luke
had rushed to Juliet’s side; but Fin had only been able to gape as
his eyes landed on Lissy, in a lifeless heap beside her sister.
“What happened?” he breathed out.

“She’s having the baby!” Luke barked. “What
do you think?”

“He means Lissy,” Juliet said between gritted
teeth. Then her dark eyes met Fin’s, and she added, “Smelling
salts. She fainted.”

Fainted? “Oh, good God!” He started for the
bed. Where the devil did Juliet keep her smelling salts?

“Take her to her room, Fin,” Luke called.
“Juliet should have all the space she needs.”

Without another thought, Fin scooped Lissy up
in his arms, jostling her just a bit. Then he started for the
corridor, promising to have Keeton send for Doctor Perkins at once.
But his sole focus was on Lissy.

She’d fainted! How truly strange. She’d
tended to Chivers as quickly as any army field surgeon, tearing her
nightrail into usable strips, binding his broken leg without so
much as a blink. But the early stages of her sister’s child labor
had caused her to faint? She was, without a doubt, a complete
dichotomy. He could spend the rest of his life with her and he’d
never figure her out. Honestly, life with her would never be dull.
But then he’d known that already. Life with her would also be
immeasurably happy and maddening and completely joyous.

A little maid darted in front of Fin and he
called, “Do have Keeton send for Doctor Perkins. Lady Juliet does
appear to be having her babe today.”

“Oh!” the girl exclaimed. “Right away, my
lord.” Then she bustled down the corridor as quickly as her feet
would carry her.

In his arms, Lissy squirmed a bit and her
brow crinkled as though she was in pain or starting to come to.
Then her pretty blue eyes fluttered open. She sucked in a surprised
breath when she looked up at him, as though she wasn’t certain why
he was carrying her, but she didn’t struggle against him and she
didn’t say anything at all. She just held his gaze and Fin was
certain that he’d never been so enthralled by so innocent an
expression before in his life.

“Are you all right?” he finally asked.

“I think so.” She nodded slowly. “What
happened?”

“You fainted.” He rounded the corner towards
her chambers.

“I’m certain I can walk on my own, Fin.”

Truly, she could do anything she set her mind
on, but that didn’t mean she should. “And yet I’ll carry you the
rest of the way anyway.”

“You are stubborn,” she returned without
heat, resting her head against his chest, making him yearn for her
anew.

“And the raven chides blackness,” he
teased.

Lissy tilted her head upwards to see him
better. “Don’t think to charm me with Shakespeare.”

“No Shakespeare?” He jostled her in his arms
again, lifting her higher against his chest. “How should I charm
you, then, Lissy? Any advice is more than welcome.”

She glanced away from him. “And don’t think
to take advantage of me in my weakened state.”

“Is your state weakened?”

Her gaze slowly lifted to his once more. “My
state always seems to be weakened with you.”

That was a good sign. Fin couldn’t help but
smile.

“Now you’re going to be all arrogant about
it,” she complained. “Do put be down, Fin.”

But they were already at her door. So Fin
waited until after he’d stepped into her room, and then he lowered
Lissy down to her feet. She stared up at him with her cerulean
gaze, and Fin brushed his fingers across the apple of her cheek.
“Beautiful,” he whispered.

She pressed her cheek against his hand, like
a kitten wanting to be stroked. Then she sighed. “You are making
quite the habit of entering my bedchambers without an
invitation.”

Fin shrugged just a bit. “A habit I’m in no
hurry to break.” He dipped his head down and pressed his lips to
hers.

Lissy grasped the edge of his jacket as
though to steady herself, kissing him back ever so softly.

Fin slid his arm around her waist, securing
her against him, reveling in the feel of her softness pressed
against his chest. He could stand there with her like this for a
lifetime. No quarreling, no pretenses, just the two of them,
clinging to each other as though they were the only two people in
the world.

He tangled his tongue with hers, delighting
in the soft mewling sounds that escaped her every so often. He
gently sucked her plump bottom lip and the memory of holding her
naked form, of joining his body with hers, washed over Fin and he
deepened their kiss.