Legendary Lover (18 page)

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"Spare me the young
Sarahs
," he said with disgust. "They're all empty-headed ciphers.
Unlike you."

"My parents believe in education."

"How quaint.
That must be why I adore you."

She fluttered her lashes in flirtatious parody. "Men have always been attracted to me for my conversation."

Nonplussed at the realization that her allure wasn't exclusively sexual, he briefly struggled with the discordant thought; sex had always been his sole criterion for female company. Unnerved by such unacceptable feelings, he safely reverted to type. After all, the beautiful woman in his arms was warm, willing, and deliciously wanton; there were more pleasant things to do than speculate on what had been, to date in his life, very trustworthy standards. "So tell me," he lazily drawled, beginning to unbutton the neckline of her spring frock, "do you think Lord Russell's cabinet will put any reform bills on the floor this session?"

"I think I shall put
you
on the floor," she whispered. "This sofa's too small."

"You
are
an enchanting conversationalist." His grin was roguish.

"We try, my lord. Would you like me to talk you into an orgasm?"

He laughed. "I'd rather feel my way to an orgasm. And if this settee is too small, I'd be more than happy to accommodate you on the carpet . . ."

Chapter
11

Finally, they broke off the kiss and looked >
      
 
OSBO
        

*<
dsv
Carried? can you believe he's actually
going to marry that bitch after knowing her for such a short time? Not if 1 have anything to say about it," Bella darkly said, answering her own question with chill purpose. She surveyed her carriage companions with a furious glare.

"It's a bloody alarming thought." Jack's cousin chewed on his bottom lip. "There may not be much time to wait, if you know what I mean."

"How can we stop him if he wishes to marry her?" Sarah gazed at her aunt, a worry line creasing her pale brow.

"I'll think of something," Bella murmured, intent on reclaiming Jack Fitz-James. "He may talk of love now, but I rather doubt his feelings will last long. He doesn't have a record of constancy with women."

"If you can get him to marry me, Bella, I'll give you all my jewelry." Sarah's voice held a pleading note, all her girlish dreams wrapped up in visions of marriage to the handsome Lord
Redvers
.

Not that Bella needed added incentive with her own selfish motives in the fore, but such a lucrative offer could hardly be refused. "What a darling child you are. I'll have to see what I can do. And once you're Lady

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Redvers
, married to one of the richest men in England, you'll have all the jewelry you want." And she'd have her lover back.

"I will, won't
I.
" Sarah sighed, visualizing her fairytale life of wealth and splendor.

Trevor cleared his throat loudly, his annoyance plain. "I believe we have a small matter of business, if you recall, Lady
Tallien
."

"I haven't forgotten, Mr. Mitchell," she cryptically replied, casting him a silencing glance. "We can discuss the matter once we're back in London."

"Aren't we going to Farleigh House?" Sarah inquired.

"We were never going to Farleigh House."

The young girl clapped her hand over her mouth and giggled. "I forgot."

"I shall remember such things for us both."

"And I shall rely on you to bring me Lord
Redvers
," Sarah cheerfully declared, her confidence in her aunt complete.

While Bella wasn't quite as confident in her ability
to
bring Jack to the altar, she did have a delectable scheme already forming in her mind. It meant she might have to renege on her agreement with Jack's cousin—although the financial merits of each proposal would have to be carefully weighed. In the meantime, she needed Trevor's cooperation—at least until her decision was reached. "Why don't we meet at Percy's in a few days," she suggested.
"To discuss our mutual concerns."

Now Trevor Mitchell wasn't so obtuse as to think Bella Palmer was looking after his interests, and he, too, was considering various other ways to thwart his cousin's marriage plans. But like his female cohort, he wasn't

163

in
any rush to disclose his methods. Time enough after the meeting at Percy's to see if he still needed her.

And so two grasping, nefarious souls contemplated the future of Jack Fitz-James and themselves.

WNDISTURBED
  
BY
 
THE
 
SELFISH
  
SCHEMES
  
BEING

hatched
, the two lovers at
Castlereagh
spent the following days in blissful companionship. They made love in unending measure as though both were conscious of the limits of time, wanting to capture each moment of delight, each joyful sensation. When, on occasion, they emerged from the marquis's suite and sat in the sun on the terrace or walked through the gardens or took a picnic down to the lake, splashing and swimming in the warm water like frolicking children, the servants would look at one another and nod their heads in agreement. The Marquis of
Redvers
had found himself a wife.

In the days of their hermitage at
Castlereagh
, the lovers also set about planning an infirmary on each of the marquis's estates. Jack's steward met with them several times, carefully listening while Venus described the style of buildings required and enumerated in detail the essential supplies needed. They toured the site selected for Jack's first clinic at
Castlereagh
, interviewed women who could serve as nurses and midwives, and hired two local doctors to deliver services to the staff and tenants.

Astonished by the breadth of Venus's knowledge, the extraordinary technical expertise and medical competence she possessed, Jack found himself further charmed and delighted. She was a source of continuing wonder and fascination. They often sat on the terrace after dinner, savoring one of Jack's special cognacs, and talked—

164

of
politics, finance, farming, travel, or any number of varied subjects.

Venus had seen much of the world in the
Duras's
vessels. Her father's political interests had often placed her in the midst of history-making occasions, and they exchanged anecdotes on the tumultuous events that had transpired during their lifetimes. They agreed, too, on favorite sites of interest in the world—the pyramids, and the Parthenon in moonlight.

With a common interest in the stock market, they compared their growth stocks in railroads and manufacturing and debated the declining state of Turkey and China as world powers. Venus even understood the finer points of agriculture, her close contact with the life of the peasantry on the
Duras
estates bringing her a wealth of knowledge not common to women of her class.

And of course, their mutual fascination with racing was a constant source of discussion.

"You talk like a man," Jack said one night, his voice half musing.

"No, darling, I talk like a woman," she replied with a smile.

He exhaled softly and gazed at her over the rim of his glass. "Not any of the women I know."

"Perhaps you should expand your horizons." Her voice was lightly teasing.

"I prefer the very narrow focus of my horizon at the moment." He leaned over to refill her glass, his smile so warm and
affectionate,
she felt a wistful rush of longing. How beautiful he looked in the moonlight, the purity of his face and form illuminated in muted chiaroscuro.

Damping her threatening emotions—it would never do to become involved with a man like Jack—she
mur
-

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₅

mured
, "I shall always remember these days at Castle-
reagh
with fondness."

He instantly scowled and set the decanter down as though readying himself to move. "I'm not letting you leave just yet."

"Nor am I planning to, when you offer such pleasure."

"Good," he said in a restrained growl, his taut posture relaxing.

"I'll stay until the Derby, but then I must return home. All the new equipment I purchased isn't doing the new hospital in Paris any good stored in the hold of my ship." There were limits to a liaison with Jack Fitz-James, she knew, and she preferred leaving to being discarded. A matter of pride perhaps, but there it was. "I expect
your
black to win, though," she said with a smile. "I'm placing a sizable bet on him."

The marquis smiled back, content once again. "I'm beginning to feel the
pressure."

"Keep in mind the pressure of gossip as well. Our engagement should make us the center of attention at the Derby."

His chuckle rumbled in his throat.
"Now that I'm looking forward to."

She grinned.
"Shameless provocateur."

"But think, darling, how much fun it will be. All those wagging tongues and sidelong glances, not to mention the direct questions of those brave enough to confront us."

"I warn you," she softly admonished, "I intend to be a silent bystander. Acquit me of adding fuel to your brazen conflagration."

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"Now that'll be a first.
You silent?
I'm almost inclined to offer you odds on that one."

"You think I can't be silent?"

"I
know
you can't be silent. I'll give you five to one—
hell,
ten to one you can't curb your need to speak out when all the busybodies approach us with their pointed queries."

She quirked her brow.
"I should make you face them alone."

"And miss all the entertainment?"

When she chuckled, her diamond eardrops sparkled in the moonlight. "It should be
interesting,
at least, I'll give you that."

"Interesting is too tame a word, darling. An assault of bloodthirsty Goths and Vandals, more like."

She wagged her finger at him, her eyes bright with humor. "You're going to owe me for this, Jack Fitz-James."

He lifted his glass to her. "I already owe you for the best days of my life."

(9
HE
 
STARTLING
ANNOUNCEMENT
 
OF
 
THE
 
MAR-

quis's
engagement had taken the ton by storm, the tittle-tattle reaching shrill proportions as each matron with a daughter to marry off cried out in indignation, each renounced lover loudly lamented the loss of the marquis's astonishing sexual prowess, each eligible peer of the realm howled with fear and amazement. If Jack Fitz-James, the bellwether for predatory male instincts, could be struck by Cupid's arrow, there was no hope of escape for lesser men.

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(37 N
  
CONTRAST
  
TO
  
THE
  
VULGAR
  
CURIOSITY
  
OF

the
beau monde, the schemers with more personal antipathy for the marquis's engagement assembled in Percy's office one afternoon. "Do you actually think
Redvers
intends to go through with this?" the solicitor asked.

Lady
Tallien
and Trevor Mitchell both gave him cool stares as though questioning his judgment and intellect.

"You're certain?" he challenged. "I'm simply concerned with preemptive measures, should this be a sham."

"
Damnit
, man, how do we dare
not
take measures," Trevor growled. "Think of what we stand to lose. Although I'd like some reassurance from you," he added, nodding curtly in Bella's direction. "Do you intend to cooperate with us or not? Your niece seems to think you can deliver
Redvers
to her."

"She's young and foolish. Do you actually think I can make Jack marry her?"

"Very well.
We agree then," Percy interceded, playing the conciliator between the two resentful clients in his office. "And we all consider Lord
Redvers
difficult to control. I suggest we concentrate on the Frenchwoman."

"How?"
Bella scrutinized the lawyer's placid face with critical regard. Her dearest wish was for Venus
Duras
to disappear from the face of the earth.

"We deprive the marquis of her company."

"Abduct her?"

''Or simply suggest she'd be safer in France. She might be easily persuaded."