Lady Vixen (63 page)

As
the hours progressed, though, Nicole would have been extremely happy if three
of the male guests had departed. Robert, she avoided for obvious reasons; Christopher's
mocking face, his eyes alight with sardonic amusement whenever their gazes met,
infuriated her and twisted a knife blade of anguish in her heart. And Edward,
Edward with his fawning manner and ridiculous posturing, was fraying her
already overstrained temper. Like a hunted vixen with three dangerous hounds on
her trail, Nicole drifted from one smiling, jesting little group to another,
keeping a wary eye on her three tormentors.

Christopher
was the easiest to avoid, for he was making no attempt to solicit her company
and treating her to his usual indifference. And yet, it was Christopher, tall
and cynically handsome in a slim-fitting black velvet jacket, the starched
white cravat intensifying the dark, lean features, who disturbed her most. Try as
she might, it seemed her eyes were inexorably drawn in his direction. She was
furious with herself for this display of weakness and with Christopher for
having the power to disrupt her control so easily.

Robert,
increasingly mystified by Nicole's coolness, watched her intently, from under
knitted brows wondering at the change in her manner. Well versed in the art of
the chase, he made no attempt to force himself on her. Perhaps she was merely
being capricious, he thought impatiently, or perhaps his ardor had frightened
her. Whatever the reason, Robert was willing to wait, confident that in time
Nicole would be his wife.

Edward,
too, had noticed the fact that Nicole no longer seemed to find as much pleasure
in Robert's company, and he rejoiced in his rival's apparent rejection. Now
Nicole would surely fall for his blandishments, Edward crowed to himself, and
his growing fear of languishing in debtor's prison faded.

Edward
was in desperate straits. Used to the large income from Nicole's estates,
scorning any attempt at living within his reduced means, his extravagances were
catching up with him.

No
longer was he granted credit at his favorite tailor's; his bootmaker had stated
rather rudely that if he had not received a substantial payment within thirty
days, he would lay charges against him; and his landlord had somewhat pointedly
remarked that if Master Markham did not come up with three months' rent past
due, very shortly he might find his belongings impounded and himself in the
gaol! His creditors' demands were growing louder, and hinting at an engagement
to a well-connected heiress was no longer enough to hold them in check. An
immediate marriage with Nicole was the only thing that could save him now from
ruin.

But
Nicole, even after Robert's banishment, showed no inclination to smile with
favor upon him, and Edward was torn between fury and the fear of what failure would
mean to him. It was true that there were other heiresses in London, but since
his reverses in fortune their guardians took care to see that Edward Markham
was not allowed to exercise his blatant masculine beauty in the vicinity of
their wealthy wards.

Ignoring
his languishing glances in her direction, Nicole wished for the tenth time that
her cousin had not been included in the festivities. He dogged her footsteps
and was acting so well the role of her smitten slave that she longed to box his
ears. Gritting her teeth, she promised herself she would do just that if Edward
followed one more of her commonplace remarks with, "How clever of you, cousin!
To think that such beauty as yours is allied with a nimble brain leaves one
breathless."

Desperate
to escape his smothering attentions as they stood for a moment alone, her
fingers curling into the palm of one hand, she smiled grimly into Edward's smoky
blue eyes and said tightly, "Would you mind fetching me a glass of
lemonade, Edward?" And as Edward, playing his role, politely did her
bidding, she bolted toward the seclusion of the garden.

It
was a delightful night, the air warm, but with a hint of fall crispness about
it. The gardens had been decorated with gaily colored lanterns, and the bright
lights were like a chain of gleaming sapphires, rubies, and emeralds in the
darkness, creating a fairyland setting. A few of the younger couples had taken
advantage of their elders' preoccupation with the bride and groom and were
wandering slowly down the neatly manicured paths.

Finding
a secluded stone seat partially screened by a heavily scented climbing rose
vine, Nicole sank down gracefully, hoping Edward would not think of the gardens
to look for her. Sitting there quietly, her eyes closed, savoring the night,
suddenly she yearned for the sea so intensely that for one moment she thought
she could feel the gentle rocking of the ship, hear the soft swish of the
waves, and smell the tangy ocean air.

But
Edward's voice broke the spell, and with a sigh she watched Edward approach
her, a tall chilled glass of lemonade in one hand.

Taking
it, she said, "Thank you, Edward." She added somewhat bluntly,
"I'm surprised everyone has stayed this long. You'd think they'd have left
hours ago."

Impervious
to Nicole's broad hint, Edward smiled vaguely and sat down beside her, careful
not to disturb the skintight fit of his buff breeches. "Oh, no, my dear!
Everyone is enjoying themselves much too much to think of leaving! And you
can't really blame them—Lord Saxon has provided such an array of delicacies.
You must admit too that it is not often there is a wedding like today's,"
Edward murmured and ended with an affected little titter that grated on
Nicole's nerves.

"That
may be," Nicole returned tartly, "but it is gone nine o'clock and
absolutely no one has even suggested leaving. Don't forget we are all driving
to Brighton tomorrow after Lord Saxon and Mrs. . . . er . . . Lady Saxon depart
for Beddington's Corner. I still have some packing to do, and I should think
that you yourself have certain arrangements to make."

Edward
pretended not to understand the trend of Nicole's conversation. "I have
made all arrangements with my landlord; my valet has everything packed, and
have no fear, I shall be at your doorstep by no later than ten o'clock tomorrow
morning."

The
removal to Brighton met with Edward's full approval. Not only would he escape
the duns that had begun to haunt his doorway, but Nicole would be removed from
her more ardent suitors. Edward was determined that before they left Brighton
Nicole would be his wife. Seduction was never far from his thoughts, and as he
glanced about the nearly deserted gardens, the idea of creating a compromising
situation immediately crossed his mind.

Subduing
the malicious smile that threatened to crease his cheek, Edward suggested
lightly, "Shall we take a walk, cousin? The garden beckons quite
delightfully."

It
was on the tip of Nicole's tongue to tell Edward to take himself off for a
walk, but after a struggle with herself, she throttled the impulse and fell in
with his urgings. After all, she reasoned, walking gave her something to do,
and it was a lovely night.

They
spent the next ten minutes or so wandering with surprising accord throughout
the moonlit gardens—the colored lanterns imparted a carnival glow, the soft
night air was intoxicating. As they approached the small white pavilion
glistening silver in the moonlight, Edward said with oozing enthusiasm,
"How clever of Lord Saxon to have a pavilion here in the town gardens!
Come, let us step inside it!"

Nicole
saw no danger in stepping inside, although she did wonder at Edward's sudden
interest in the building. She soon found out that Edward had apparently
mistaken her complacent mood, for they had barely entered when he suddenly
startled her by snatching her into his arms.

"Are
you demented?" she exclaimed, violently pushing against his shoulders.

And
Edward, conscious that he had barely moments to perfect his plan, muttered,
"Yes! I am mad for you!" And promptly, deliberately he tore at the
fragile lace covering her breasts, ripping the gown at the shoulder. Infuriated
rather than frightened, Nicole struggled angrily to escape from the clutching
hold he had on her arms, but Edward was stronger than his willowy slimness
suggested.

The
curls that had been so painstakingly arranged some hours before came tumbling
down in charming disarray, and the topaz eyes bright with temper, Nicole spat,
"Unhand me, you toad! Have you lost what wits you possess?"

Edward,
gazing at the creamy shoulders, the soft curve of breast his attack had
revealed, was suddenly swept by a very real sensation of passion. No longer
pretending, no longer even caring if the footsteps he had heard seconds ago
were coming nearer or not, he said thickly, "Yes! You have driven me
witless, dear cuz, and I am afraid you shall have to pay the
consequences!"

His
mouth found hers unerringly, and Nicole was momentarily stunned by the sheer
audacity of his actions. Then nearly shaking with revulsion and fury, she
fought to break free of the hurting plunder of Edward's lips, his tongue
forcing its way into her mouth, raping and pillaging, his hands digging
painfully into her arms. Edward gave her no respite; instead, the twisting
thrashing motions of her body excited him even further, and with an
intentionally brutal movement he shoved her down onto one of the nearby
lounges, his body lying heavily on hers.

Her
head spinning with disbelief, Nicole fought to clear her thoughts. Edward was
too strong for her, and her only choices were to scream, thereby bringing
everyone on the run, or to outthink her attacker. She instinctively shrank from
screaming, instantly realizing the scandal that would follow. Well, she thought
grimly, she had outfoxed Edward before and she could certainly do it again.
Forcing her body to go limp, she suffered kisses and let him think she had
become resigned to her fate. Feeling the fight leave her body, Edward was elated,
certain his masculine charm had won the day. His vicious hold loosened
somewhat; his hands greedily fumbled under her skirts; his lips freed her mouth
as they sought the tempting softness of her breast. Nicole's skin crawled at
his touch, and only by concentrating fiercely on what her next move would be
was she able to keep from betraying the utter revulsion that filled her.

In
the dim light of the pavilion she spotted a half-empty bottle of champagne and
two glasses sitting on a nearby table. No doubt the remains of an amorous
couple's rendezvous, she thought sourly. But with her weapon in sight, she
slowly brought up one arm, gingerly caressing Edward as she went, not wanting
him to guess her intentions. With her arm free, she gently moved one leg, letting
Edward believe it was to facilitate his probing hands, and then when she was
positioned to her satisfaction, she struck like a fighting tigress. Her teeth
sank deeply into Edward's tender ear, and coolly she brought her knee up
sharply and painfully between Edward's legs.

Edward
let out a shriek of excruciating pain, all thought of seduction fleeing in the
face of the exquisite agony burning between his thighs and the numbing pain in
his ear. He doubled up, literally tearing his ear from Nicole's teeth, his
hands protecting his groin, and Nicole deftly pushed him away from her and
leaped to her feet. Snatching up the champagne bottle, she broke it swiftly
against the table, and holding the jagged edge toward Edward, she snarled,
"Touch me again,
cuz,
and that handsome face of yours will give
nightmares to children for the rest of your miserable life!"

Edward
was in such a state of shock—shock that any woman could resist him, shock that
a young woman of Nicole's station had not fainted away in sheer shame at his
attack, and shock at how incomprehensibly the tables had been turned on
him—that he could only lie there moaning, his face white, his ear bleeding
profusely on the satin cushions. Nicole regarded him contemptuously for a brief
second, and then in a tone of loathing she said, "Pull yourself together,
fool! Sit up, I haven't killed you, you jackass!"

"You
certainly haven't, my dear, but I'm positive your poor cousin probably feels as
if you have," remarked Christopher dryly from the doorway, his face
inscrutable in the moonlight.

Surprisingly
Nicole's feeling was one of relief that it should be Christopher who had found
them. Almost wearily she put the bottle down and said, "My cousin was
rather overcome by the night and too much wine. I would suggest that you show
him to his carriage, while I return to the house and repair the damages to my
gown."

Edward,
seeing his chances slipping away, struggled to his feet and cried hoarsely,
"No! I shall marry her!" And seeing that Christopher remained
curiously unmoved by his words, he stammered, "Y-y-you can't want a
scandal! I'll marry her the instant a special license can be obtained and no
one need ever know of what happened tonight. Her honor will be secure!"

"And
your fortune made!" Nicole exclaimed angrily. "I have no intention of
marrying you, Edward."

Christopher
stepped farther inside the pavilion, and taking a lightning assessment of
Nicole, he asked, "Are you all right, brat?"

Pushing
back one of the tumbled curls, Nicole answered truthfully, "Yes. A bit
mussed and torn, but unharmed otherwise."

"Then
I suggest you slip up to your room and have Galena or Mauer put you to rights
and I will take care of Mr. Markham."