My Lady Vixen (12 page)

“What? You’ve brought me to Adam? Damn you, Mac. I trusted you! What do you expect to gain from this? Or will you enjoy watching my humiliation when Adam turns me out?”

“Alexa, give me credit for something. I think I know Adam better than you do. He won’t turn you out. I … I believe he’ll do the right thing if it’s not too late.”

“To late for what?” she repeated. “You’re talking in riddles again.”

“Alexa, I’m asking you to trust my judgment. I’d never leave you stranded should Adam prove me wrong. What have you got to lose?”

“My pride!” bristled Alexa angrily. “Adam Foxworth has taken everything else and I’ll be damned if I’ll give him that, too!”

“You’re coming with me even if I have to carry you the rest of the way!” Mac insisted, determination hardening his features. “Which will it be, Alexa? Will you go under your own power or must I prove my strength to you?”

Tossing her head to show her defiance, Alexa reluctantly moved forward. Mac smiled indulgently as he followed. He loved her most when her eyes spit violet flames and her cheeks burned with anger. A spirit such as hers could never be quelled. Beneath his breath he prayed he was doing the right thing, that it wasn’t too late, for he was privy to Adam’s plans for his future. But
most of all he prayed that he wasn’t thrusting Alexa into a situation more volatile than the one in which she now existed.

Savannah
1778

By all accounts this should be one of the happiest moments in Adam Foxworth’s life. To be sure the stately blond on his arm was the most beautiful woman in the room. The perfection of her face and figure was certainly not lost on Adam. Nor was the fact that she was passionate in bed, for he had tested her charms often enough in the past weeks.

The lady was Gwendolyn Wright, niece of the royal governor who even now waited to announce the engagement of Lady Gwen to Adam Foxworth, Earl of Penwell and staunch Tory. It was an advantageous match which would bring Adam a large dowry in addition to entrance to all the prominent Tory homes in Savannah.

Until Adam had inherited a title he was just another Colonial, but since returning from England he had been besieged by royalists to join their inner ranks. He was acquainted with Lady Gwen before he left for England
but it was not until he returned that he was in a position to offer marriage. All his scheming had worked out beautifully, Adam congratulated himself as he smiled blandly at his beaming fiancée.

But if the truth be known. Adam was far from pleased with himself. Inexplicably his thoughts flew back over the water to a raven-haired, violet-eyed girl whom he had callously used and discarded. The experience left a slightly bitter taste in his mouth. The knowledge that he was capable of employing such dirty tactics to gain his own ends had wrought subtle changes in Adam. For one, there was a certain ruthlessness in him now that was more refined. For another, he completely disregarded the feelings of others.

And at the root of it all was a woman. There had been many women in his life and he could not remember what most looked like, including the woman beside him who faded from his memory the moment they parted. But at any given time he could conjure up Alexa’s beauty in perfect detail. She haunted his dreams until he grew to hate the vivid memory of her soft, warm body entwined intimately with his.

Their final night together Adam had attempted to demonstrate by his actions that she had no place in his life, and looking at her face when he took her callously, without apparent regard for her feelings, he was certain he had succeeded. No doubt by now Alexa was married to her Charles and could be carrying his seed. Somehow the thought was not comforting. Not once did the thought enter Adam’s mind that Alexa could have conceived as a result of their own numerous couplings.

He was distracted from his bleak ruminations when the slim blond at his side nudged him with her elbow. “Adam, darling.” Gwen pouted prettily, “where are your thoughts? Two of Uncle James’s friends just spoke to you and you completely ignored them.”

“I’ve been thinking of us, my sweet,” Adam lied smoothly. “Soon it will be time for Sir James to announce our engagement.”

“It can’t be too soon for me,” riposted Gwen, her clear blue eyes promising delights yet to come. “I want to be with you every night, not just on those occasions when we can slip away for a few hours.”

“So do I, my sweet,” Adam allowed cryptically, “More than you’ll ever know.”

Lady Gwendolyn Wright, the beautiful, pampered niece of Governor James Wright, had accompanied her uncle to the colonies to act as his official hostess since the governor’s wife had died leaving no children. She became the immediate toast of Savannah, wined and dined by prominent Whigs and Tories alike. But her bright blue gaze fell upon Adam Foxworth and there it remained, though it wasn’t until Adam had suddenly inherited a title and lands in England that Gwen’s uncle had pronounced Adam a suitable husband for his beloved Gwen.

Adam’s inheritance had changed his position in life overnight. Until Adam hinted he could offer much more after his return from England. Gwen had seriously considered accepting the proposal of Captain Lance Barrington who sprang from illustrious parentage. Although pushing twenty-six, Gwen waited and had not been sorry. Upon Adam’s return they became lovers: shortly afterwards he proposed, and Gwen promptly accepted. Of course, Lance had been livid with rage at Gwen’s reversal, but with Adam an earl there was nothing he could do about it.

Aware that many of his guests were looking at him expectantly, Adam decided that the moment had arrived to signal Governor Wright to make his announcement. His hand already extended to alert the governor, Adam’s motion was halted before it could be
completed by Jem, his butler, who approached his master with a puzzled look on his broad, black face.

“You have guests, Mastah Adam,” Jem announced hesitantly.

“Show them in, Jem,” Adam whispered, annoyed by Jem’s sudden lack of protocol.

“They insist on seeing you alone,” informed Jem. “I showed them to the study. I hope that’s all right. Mastah Adam.”

Adam nodded curtly, spoke a few words to a thoroughly disgruntled Gwen and followed Jem from the crowded ballroom. “Who are my mysterious visitors. Jem? Do you know them?”

“It’s Mastah Mac, suh, and a lady I never saw before.”

“Mac is here?” enthused Adam, hastening his steps. “Why didn’t you say so? And you say he has a lady with him? That devil!” Adam grinned roguishly.

“Mac!” greeted Adam exuberantly as he burst into the study. “You sly dog! What are you doing here? I thought you were for Virginia.”

If Mac’s greeting was less than enthusiastic Adam seemed not to notice. Thus far he had not seen Alexa who had removed her cloak in the warm room and stood slightly behind Adam clutching the back of a chair.

No man has a right to be so outrageously handsome, Alexa thought distractedly. His thick tawny hair barely brushed his collar and was unpowdered. His nose was classic, straight as a blade, and arrogant, while the harsh lines of his broad cheekbones and wide brows could have been sculpted by a master. Elegantly clad for the occasion, his garments were neither gaudy nor elaborate, yet molded and enhanced his muscular form perfectly. Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded. Suddenly Alexa was anxious to leave his disturbing presence.

“You and your lady are just in time to join the party.” Adam smiled.

“I’d hardly feel comfortable with all your Tory friends,” answered Mac jerkily. “We travel in different worlds now, Adam.”

Adam fixed Mac with a baleful glare, then shrugged. “Where is the lady Jem told me about? Introduce us,” he said, whirling to search the room for Mac’s elusive lady. Finally he spotted her and his steady gaze bore into her with silent astonishment. Slowly his eyes dropped from her face to her breasts, and finally to her protruding stomach. Tearing his gaze from Alexa’s obviously pregnant form, Adam turned and glared defiantly at Mac.

“What in the hell is she doing here, Mac?” he gritted out angrily. “Why didn’t you leave her where she belongs? I should have known from the beginning that your interest in the lady was more than passing.”

“You bastard!” retaliated Mac. “Can’t you see Alexa is pregnant? She’s carrying your child, Adam. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

Adam had the decency to flush guiltily. “You know my plans, Mac.”

“Change them, damn it! You owe. Alexa. Her father turned her out, she has no place to go.”

“So she came crying to your for sympathy! You always were a fool over a pretty face and tears. What in the hell do you expect me to do?”

“The right thing, Adam,” Mac insisted quietly.

Suddenly Alexa gained her wits and stepped forward, red dots of rage exploding behind her eyes. “Both of you, stop it! How dare you talk in front of me as if I didn’t exist! I never intended to come here, Adam. Mac took it upon himself to bring me here against my will. I had no say in the matter. Besides, I knew I was expecting your child before you left Penwell Castle but I chose not
to tell you. You owe me nothing because that’s exactly what I want from you.”

Though Alexa’s unexpected arrival threatened to rip apart his months of planning and scheming, Adam could not help but admire her courage and spirit. His eyes settled once again on her stomach, and an unexpected surge of joy threw him into sudden panic. What was he thinking of? he asked himself crossly. It was impossible for him to marry Alexa and he must make Mac understand. Too much depended on his marriage to Gwen.

“Contrary to what you may think, I am not completely heartless, Alexa,” Adam said tightly. “I’ll see that you and the baby are taken care of. Neither of you will want for a thing. But … tonight is my engagement party. As soon as the announcement is made my betrothal to Lady Gwendolyn Wright will become official.”

“Then we’re not too late!” sighed Mac thankfully. “I was afraid …”

“Mac,” Adam admonished sternly, “have you forgotten so soon the reasons behind my marriage to Gwen?”

“Ive not forgotten, Adam. It’s just that I believe this is more important. Your child deserves a name.”

“Then marry Alexa yourself!” shouted Adam, his eyes widening when he realized what he suggested.

Mac’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He thought he knew Adam but he had been mistaken. Moving to Alexa’s side he gathered up her cloak and settled it about her slumped shoulders.

“Damn you, Adam, that’s exactly what I’ll do. It’s what I wanted all along but I thought I owed you the opportunity to claim your own child. I’ll have no guilt now over making Alexa mine. Go back to your Tory friends.”

Adam made a strangling sound low in his throat but before he could form them into words the door to the
study burst open. “Adam, what is so important to keep you from your guests?” demanded a petulant voice. “Uncle James grows impatient to make the announcement of our engagement.”

Alexa stared at the lovely blond woman, thinking she had never seen anyone so beautiful. Soft blond hair the color of ripe wheat was done up artfully atop the regal head resting on a long, slender neck. Everything about her was golden, from her hair to smooth alabaster skin that glowed with pale gold undertones. Her lips were full and rounded over even white teeth, her nose exquisitely dainty. Her totally feminine figure swayed gently in a cocoon of gold tissue silk and gauze and she carried herself confidently. In Alexa’s eyes her own dark beauty paled in comparison to this golden flower—Adam’s bride-to-be.

For a long, tense moment Adam said nothing as he regarded Lady Gwen through slitted lids, his gray eyes murky as he balance on the horns of dilemma. “For God’s sake, Adam, say something!” demanded Gwen icily. “Who are these people?”

Suddenly Adam came to life. “Excuse my rudeness, Gwen,” he apologized, smiling blandly. “Surely you remember Mac? You met him in my home once before I left for England. The lady,” he gestured carelessly, “is Lady Alexa Ashley. Both have just arrived from abroad.”

Gwen nodded curtly at the pair who managed to disrupt the most important night of her life. “Can’t your friends wait until tomorrow to speak with you? I’m sure they must both be exhausted. Besides, Uncle James is waiting.”

Flinging an inscrutable look in Alexa’s direction, Adam drew in a deep steadying breath before replying, well aware of Gwen’s temper when things failed to go her way. “Gwen, I’m afraid there can be no announcement,
not tonight, or ever. I have just learned something that changes everything.”

Red blotches of anger mottled Gwen’s lovely features and her lips twisted into a snarl of outrage, turning her face almost ugly. “No announcement! Do you mean there will be no engagement? What have these people to do with our marriage plans?”

Mac shot Alexa a triumphant grin, as if to say, “I knew I hadn’t misjudged Adam!” Alexa could only gasp, too astounded to protest. At that point she was determined that she would marry neither Mac nor Adam. Both men were arrogant rogues but she’d show them. She would raise her baby by herself and to hell with both of them!

“Circumstances beyond my control force me to honor a prior commitment to Lady Alexa, whom I met during my stay in England,” Adam said, startling Alexa.

“Honor be damned!” shouted Gwen angrily, fixing Alexa with a contemptuous blue stare. “What did you do, Adam, bed the little slut and get her with child?” Seeing Alexa’s flushed face. Gwen knew she had guessed correctly.

“It matters little what happened between Alexa and me,” Adam replied calmly. “I will do what I must. I intend to marry her as soon as possible.”

“You little bitch!” grated out Gwen in a fit of rage. “It’s all your fault. Why couldn’t you stay in England where you belong? I’m sure Adam would support you and your brat without need for marriage.”

“That’s enough, Gwen!” countered Adam curtly. “I’m marrying Alexa through my own choice. You ought to know by now I can be coerced into nothing. Will you tell your uncle or shall I?”

Gwen stiffened, momentarily abashed. Never had she been treated so shabbily. It was a humiliated, deflated feeling. Her pride had been seriously bruised by Adam, but she was far from through with him. Not by a long
shot! Whirling in a mist of gold tissue, she stomped angrily from the study. When she reached the ballroom, she immediately sought out her uncle, spoke a few sharp words into his ear, leaving him stunned, and together they left the crowded room amidst a buzz of speculation.