Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman (6 page)

Chapter 6

Later, after the children had been fed, bathed and tucked into bed, Laurel rushed to prepare her toilette before the ball. She slipped into her chamber, surprised by bright moonlight streaming through the narrow window. The hangings had been shoved to one side and Rhonda stood with her hands on the top of the chest of drawers. She spun around to face Laurel.

“Rhonda,” Laurel snapped. “What are you doing here?”

“What did you do with my jewels?” Rhonda hissed and moved closer. She sidled across the chamber with her hips swaying and a mocking smile on her lips.

The key hanging from a chain around Laurel’s neck seemed to burn against her flesh and her heart leapt into her throat before reason returned. Rhonda couldn’t be talking about the casket of jewelry Robert had entrusted to her the night he died. Her sister-in-law must mean the sapphires. Laurel’s resolve stiffened. She didn’t want this fight, but she wouldn’t give in to Rhonda’s demands either. She cleared her throat. “I’ve done nothing with
your
jewelry.”

“Such a sweet, deceiving little—baggage. No one would believe me when I tried to tell the authorities about you. You killed my brother as surely as if you delivered the deadly dose with your own hand.”

Laurel drew back. “You’re deranged. Please leave my room.”

Mocking laughter spilled from Rhonda’s lips and spears of hatred sparked from her eyes. “If you imagine you will end up with anything, you’re the one who’s daft.”

Laurel stepped to the door and held it open. “As you say. Now please have the goodness to leave.”

Rhonda flung her head back, picked up her skirts and departed without another word. Laurel wished she could be shed of Rhonda’s lingering perfume as easily.

Laurel sank onto the bed, her composure shattered. For her, the confrontation with Rhonda dredged up old memories of Robert best left buried. She could almost smell the whiskey on his breath even now. He’d given her the jewels, gently kissed her and limped away. Tears gathered in her eyes, but she quickly brushed the moisture away. She had no time to brood over the matter now. Bolting from the bed, she struck a flint to light her lamp.

Tonight would be her first opportunity to lay aside her widow’s weeds and don an exquisite ball gown. Abandoning her mourning apparel didn’t mean she no longer cared about Robert’s demise, she assured herself. She grieved for her son’s loss because he would never know his father, but for her part, resentment toward Robert’s total disregard for her as his wife still rankled. Gritting her teeth, she relegated the past where it belonged—behind her.

Laurel stripped to her chemise before having a quick wash. With reverent fingers, she smoothed her gown of blue spider gauze laced with silver ribbons. The underskirt of white satin was lovely and would allow only the toes of her white slippers to peek beneath the hem. This gown deserved to be displayed to advantage, but she would be unable to lace herself into a corset. A tap sounded at her door. “Enter.”

A beaming servant, young, freckled with red hair stepped inside. “Lady Gladrey sent me to help with your toilette.” She held up a fire-heated curling iron. “Your hair is beautiful but I brung this. Attending a ball you need to be extra special.”

“But,” Laurel murmured then snapped her mouth shut. She’d longed for just such a happening and now her wishes had been fulfilled. “The corset first then.”

The maid tightened the laces, pushing Laurel’s breast up satisfactorily and cinched the corset still further around her small waist. She couldn’t breathe as well, but she felt whole again, proper and lady like. The gown showed her figure to perfection almost guaranteed to set Adron back on his heels.

The maid piled her locks atop the crown of her head, applying the curling iron where needed. Allowing curls to cascade to Laurel’s shoulders with a few stray wisps left to caress her forehead and cheeks, the maid stepped back. For reassurance, Laurel gazed into the looking glass to check her features for any sign of fatigue. She found none. Instead, her underlying excitement brought color to her cheeks and an added sparkle to her eyes. Satisfied with her appearance, she touched a delicate perfume beneath her ears, allowing the light fragrance to add to her confidence.

Finally with trembling fingers, she attached the sapphire earrings and necklace. The gems sparkled against her throat. A satisfied smile curved her lips as she brushed her hands down the sides of her gown and squared her shoulders.

“Laws, Milady. You look grand. I’ll be here to unlace you when you get done tonight.”

Laurel smiled at the girl. “I don’t suppose I’d ever be able to untie my laces by myself. I’ll call you.”

The maid curtsied and took herself off.

Although looking in on the children could make her late for the ball, she hurried downstairs and slipped inside Jamie’s room. All the children were asleep and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Stepping out of the nursery she softly closed the door, nearly bumping into Adron’s broad chest. She reached out to steady herself and the muscles in his forearms rippled beneath her fingers. Admiring his dark blue velvet jacket and snowy cravat, she caught her breath at his teasing grin.

His brown eyes sparkled with pleasure as he took in every inch of her appearance and her heart picked up speed. The appreciation in his eyes went to her head like fine Bordeaux and his gaze brought faint color to her cheeks. She lowered her lids to hide her wish to bask in his admiration for hours.

“You’re very beautiful,” he whispered, so close his breath caressed her lips. His unique, clean spicy scent surrounded her, trapping her in a whirl of sensations.

Caught up in a haze of physical attraction, she tilted her head to the side and smiled. “Thank you kind sir. You are beautiful too.”

He let out a rich laugh. “I hope not.” Inspecting her every feature, he traced the curve of her brow with one finger before caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. He lifted her chin to gaze deeply into her eyes.

“Why you?”

“W-w-what do you mean?”

“You know, my lovely. Why do I want you?”

She twisted her chin from his grasp and answered, “Because I said no!”

Adron caught her to his chest and lightly touched the telltale pulse at the base of her throat. “Wrong. I want you because you want me as well. The delicious little throb in your throat gives you away. You feel it too, so don’t lie.”

Softly kissing the pounding vein in her throat, he trailed kisses to her mouth and covered her lips with his in deepening exploration. She couldn’t think, couldn’t move, she could only drown in the sensations created by his embrace. A movement in the corridor brought her out of the trance he had induced and she pushed against his chest.

“Someone is coming.”

“Too bad. Tonight, my beauty, I promise tonight,” he whispered before stepping away.

Adron quickly turned and strode toward Melissa as she floated down the hall from the west wing of the house. Laurel stared at Melissa in her gown of creamy silk complimenting her fresh beauty. Laurel didn’t envy the young girl her beauty, but the sensation of being old and drab filled her with dismay.

“Ah! Melissa, my dear, you look charming.”

Laurel watched with interest when he took Melissa’s hand and threaded her fingers beneath his elbow. Melissa pouted up at him. “Only charming?”

He patted her hand. “Charming will do, you minx.”

Melissa laughed up at him and squeezed his arm. “And to think I hurried dreadfully, especially for you.”

Laurel could only observe the back of his head, but she wondered if the other girl could detect admiration in his eyes. Did she long to drown in his approval as Laurel had wished to do only moments before? Laurel’s steps faltered before she continued after the couple.

From the other direction, Rhonda glided down the hall, preening for a second in a stunning gown of crimson trimmed in gold.

Her trill of laughter splashed down the hall. “Adron, how handsome you are. You’re taking advantage of us poor females. No ladies’ heart will be safe from you tonight. I know mine isn’t.” She kissed him beside his mouth.

“Thank you, my dear. You are devastating as well.”

Laurel’s heart sank as Rhonda shifted her attention, giving a self-satisfied smirk before she sauntered over.

“Oh! Dear sister, I see you’re wearing the family jewels.”

Laurel lowered her head in acknowledgement. “As you see.”

With a slow almost hypnotic motion, Rhonda reached out and touched the necklace that graced Laurel’s throat. “These should have come to me as the daughter of the house, not to my brother. You should be forced to give them up.” Her eyes were sharp and disgruntled as she watched for Laurel’s reaction.

“Rhonda I can’t oblige.” Laurel’s tone was low and fierce. “It would be like throwing Robert’s gift back in his face.”

“Some people will do anything for wealth, marry, steal, kill—anything at all however dishonorable.” Rhonda’s harsh tone rang with accusations. “Robert wouldn’t know. He’s dead.”

Laurel gritted her teeth in an effort to keep from spewing harsh, ugly words, but she couldn’t keep the glint of anger out of her eyes.
No, he wouldn’t know but she would.

Before Laurel could answer, Adron shot a warning glance in her direction. He linked arms with Rhonda as well as Melissa leaving Laurel to trail behind. “Come ladies.”

With her confidence shaken, disquiet ruffled the edges of her composure. She had been looking forward to this ball, but the entire thing had fallen sadly flat and now she dreaded the party.

Regardless of the kiss exchanged earlier, his warm greeting for both Melissa and Rhonda warned Laurel to watch for stormy waters ahead. She should never have allowed Adron to kiss her and with such passion. Of course gentlemen were known to act with less than honor when passions were ignited and he
had
ignored her ever since. Perhaps she should follow his lead and dismiss him as well. She lagged a little behind as Adron escorted the ladies into the ballroom before he disappeared into the crowd.

Laurel stood alone in the threshold, gazing at the glow cast by the chandeliers on the polished floor. She found the scene enchanting and smiled broadly. The scent of flowers perfuming the air with a delicate fragrance added to the magic. Music swelled through the room from the alcove where the musicians had gathered and suddenly, she wished to dance, to laugh, to be carefree for a while. Her fatigue fled and she fought free from the ugly, black cloud of depression hovering over her. Laurel straightened her shoulders and stepped into the ballroom prepared to enjoy the moment.

Laurel surveyed the couples dancing and unwittingly caught Adron’s gaze. Spellbound she couldn’t glance away and a deep need to tear Melissa out of his arms engulfed her. Jealous, she was jealous. Absurd of course, but her gaze strayed to him again and again. Each time she detected his broad shoulders or tall form, his eyes seemed to catch hers.

When George Dunaway approached, she tore her gaze away from Adron again.

“May I have this dance?” George whirled her away before she agreed. “I’m dancing with the most charming lady in the room.”

She laughed. “Such flummery. Do flowery compliments usually work for you?”

“Usually.” He grinned and mischief lingered in his eyes.

“What a take-in.” The compliments he paid her and his admiration went straight to her head. She basked in his approval.

“I’m trying to avoid the matchmaking mothers on the look-out for me.”

“And you’re safe from my match making mother. Is that it?” she teased.

He cleared his throat. “Not true, else I wouldn’t have spent every available minute with you for the last two weeks. You must admit I didn’t make a single complaint at having to accompany the children on nature walks, eat nursery food and in general visit with you under constrained circumstances.”

She dimpled up at him. “I do wonder why.”

“I’ve come to admire you very much. You’re beautiful, devoted to the children, and the servants like you, a great character reference. Any man would be honored not to merely dance with you but to call you his own.” His voice dropped to a deep level, his hand tightening on hers. “Is it too early to press my suit?”

Her eyes met his warm gaze and her smile disappeared. Here was a nightmare. She truly appreciated George, admiring his address as well as his appearance, but Adron would never allow her to marry and take Jamie with her.

“Much too early,” she replied with her lashes lowered to cover her expressive eyes and the distress mirrored there.

“This is Adron’s fault, every bit of it. He’s a stubborn, blind sort of fellow.” He glanced at the gliding couples before gazing into her eyes. “Would it make a difference if I tell you Adron thinks to marry Melissa?”

“Heloise warned me off the day I arrived,” she said in a flat voice.

Laurel only wished she’d heeded Heloise, but she’d been convinced she could ignore his masculine appeal. That was before he turned the full force of his charm on her.

“There is an added piece of drama to unfold. Rhonda has her eye on him as well.”

Surprise rounded Laurel’s eyes. “Truly?”

He lifted his shoulders. “Yes, truly and I’m determined to save you from yourself. And Adron. Even from Rhonda’s tender mercies.”

A little shocked by the surprising disclosure, Laurel’s gaze sought Adron’s broad shoulders amongst the dancers once again. She must conquer the need to seek his approval for every move, else she would be lost and he would be in complete control. She refused to accept the fact he
was
in control, of Jamie’s destiny at least, and in large part in control of hers as well.

In that moment, Laurel’s gaze locked with Adron’s over Melissa’s shoulder. George followed her glance and his frown heralded his displeasure. “I don’t want to see you hurt.” In almost a whisper he continued, “but perhaps if he is foolish enough to finally succumb to his grandmother’s plead and actually marries one of them, he’ll relent and allow you to remove Jamie from his house.”