No Man's Bride (5 page)

C
atherine checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before she followed her cousins down to Lord Castleigh’s ballroom. Tonight was her last chance to warn Valentine away from Elizabeth.

It had been over two weeks since the earl had come to the house, and in that time she had not seen him. She had heard plenty of him from Elizabeth and her mother. The banns had been called, and the wedding preparations were under way. In fact, the family was so busy, Catherine was virtually left alone.

She was actually left alone when her father, mother, and sister had traveled to Valentine’s ancestral estate in Derbyshire to meet the Marquess
and Marchioness of Ravenscroft. Catherine had been given leave to stay with Maddie, and she’d been able to ride every day.

It had been a wonderful respite, but then the family had returned. Her father seemed to have given up marrying her off, and that was the most worrisome turn of events.

Her father never gave up that easily. He had to have an ulterior plan.

Pinching her cheeks to add color, she glided down the staircase in her new white silk gown. It wasn’t actually hers. She wore one of Maddie’s dresses from last Season. The two cousins had cut and pinned and sewed for days to alter it for Catherine’s proportions. Now Catherine felt almost like she belonged here. She had rarely worn silk before, and the fabric was light and airy against her skin.

The gown had been Madeleine’s contribution to the plan. Josephine and Ashley had helped Catherine with the rest, and now she saw them smiling at her as she descended the stairs. At the bottom, Josephine clasped her hands, and said, “Perfect! You look treacherously beautiful. Lizzy will bite her tongue all night!”

Catherine nodded and took a deep breath. The ball was not terribly crowded yet, but the guest list was extensive. She would have to act quickly, before too many people arrived, or she would be shaking too badly to implement the plan. Her
hands were already clammy, and her heart was beating faster than usual. Oh, why couldn’t she just hide?

Despite Josephine’s encouraging words, Catherine did not feel beautiful. She felt like everyone was looking at her. How was she ever going to attract Valentine’s attention? What if he ignored her and made her look a fool?

More guests were arriving, and Catherine knew she should join the receiving line. Ashley gave her a last reassuring squeeze. “You know what you have to do?”

Catherine nodded. “I must make Elizabeth show Valentine her true colors.”

Ashley nodded. “Right. Then he’ll call off the wedding, and you can remain a founding member of our club.”

Josie and Maddie patted Catherine’s hands. “Keep your chin up. Think confidence!”

Catherine nodded and forced her feet toward the entry hall, where her father, mother, sister, and Lord and Lady Castleigh stood greeting their guests. They made room for her to join them, and her father leaned over, and hissed, “Now you choose to look presentable? What are you up to?”

Catherine just smiled and bowed to a baron and his wife.

Next Elizabeth leaned over. “You look like a fool, you know. Trying to outshine me?”

Catherine smiled at her. “Well, no one will be
looking at me.” She greeted Sir Gareth and her aunt Imogen, Ashley’s parents, and accepted their compliments.

“No one ever looks at you, except when you act like a fool. Is it not time for you to begin gulping for air and shaking?” Elizabeth hissed.

Catherine turned back to the line in time to see that Lord Valentine had finally arrived.

Thank God he’s here
was her first thought.
Oh, Lord he’s handsome
was her second. Catherine never noticed men except to avoid them. Some were taller or fatter or louder than others, but these were characteristics of the species, not points that held her interest.

Valentine held her interest. It was difficult to look at him and not be absorbed. His face, with its high smooth cheekbones and the contrasts between the hard planes of his chin and forehead and the softness of mouth and lips, intrigued her. And then there was his hair, which she had called too long, but which she now decided was perfect. The straight, brown edges scraped his collar and flowed back from his forehead like a bird’s wing.

Like his, her hair was dark, a black her sister compared to mud. But Valentine’s hair was the brown of topaz, the golden brown of rich, aged whiskey, the brown of virgin earth when it’s freshly plowed and gleaming in the early-morning dew.

Catherine blinked. Lord, she couldn’t keep
staring at him this way, thinking of him in these terms. If she weren’t careful, she’d start believing herself in love with him. Even though she didn’t intend Lizzy to marry him until after she and Josie had escaped, she knew the wedding would happen eventually. What would not happen— what was not possible or even within the realm of possibility—was that she herself would ever have him. A man like Valentine would never look at a woman like her.

And then he was before her, executing a formal bow. Catherine forced her legs to bend into a curtsey. She opened her mouth and said something, which she hoped was a polite greeting, but Valentine gave no indication he had heard. He stopped in front of her and stared. He stood so long, his gaze so hot and intense, Catherine began to tremble from nerves. Her cousins’ plan was not going to work. He obviously thought she looked hideous. Finally, he barked, “What are you wearing?”

Catherine glanced down at Maddie’s gown, then back into Valentine’s lovely eyes. “A-a gown?”

“Put a shawl over it. It’s practically indecent.” And then he moved on. Catherine watched as he bowed to Elizabeth. While Lizzy’s gown was just as low-cut as her own, Catherine noted that Valentine had no criticism for her. He smiled at Lizzy, his own face turning beautiful when he did. He drew Elizabeth close, into his warmth,
and watching them, Catherine felt a painful stab through her heart.

She had never felt a stab of this magnitude before. She knew what it was. She’d experienced it as a child when Elizabeth had been given the cake Catherine had wanted or the doll or had received a kiss from her mother when Catherine had none.

Jealousy.

Catherine wanted to rip out her own heart. Anything but this feeling of covetousness for something that belonged to her sister, especially something as worthless as a man.

Valentine and Elizabeth moved away, but not before Elizabeth turned her head and smirked at Catherine. She always knew when she had something others wanted. The rest of her family moved away as well, and the receiving line dissolved until only Catherine remained.

She knew Valentine and Elizabeth would begin the dancing soon, and she also knew she would have to lure Valentine into dancing with her, but it was going to take every ounce of courage.

“Are you well?” Josie asked, coming to stand beside her. “Are all the people making you ill?”

Catherine shook her head. “No, but I-I don’t want to go through with this.”

“You can do it, Catie,” Josie said immediately. “I know you’re scared, but—”

“That’s not it. Well, that’s part of it. I am scared, but I’m also”—she grasped Josie by the elbow
and dragged her into a corner—“I’m jealous!” she whispered.

“Jealous of what?” Josie asked. “Of Elizabeth’s dress? Madeleine’s gowns are the highest quality. I swear you are as pretty as Elizabeth. In fact, she pales beside you.”

“No, Josie, I’m not jealous of Elizabeth’s looks. I’m-I’m jealous of…” She lowered her voice even further. “I think…I mean, I might feel something for…oh, it’s Valentine.
I
want him.”

Josephine threw back her head and laughed. For a moment Catherine thought she truly resembled the popular image of pirates from books and papers. Of course, Josie laughed. The idea of Catherine and a man like Valentine…

“Who
doesn’t
want him, Catie?” Josie said. “He’s terribly handsome.” So Josie wanted him too?

“But, Josie! We’re never going to marry.”

“What? Because I’m never going to marry means I can’t even look at a man? I never will marry, but when I’m rich as a pirate, I plan to have lots of lovers.”

“Oh, Lord.”

“Catie, stop standing here. You and I are going to escape as soon as I find that treasure map. But I need more time. My assignment is to find the map. Yours is to remain unmarried until I do. Now get to it.”

Catherine felt like saluting, but Josie gave her a little push.

Catherine entered the ballroom to the sight of
Elizabeth and Valentine dancing. She felt another pang of jealousy and a sharper stab of uncertainty. They looked so good together—Valentine’s dark hair and eyes beside Elizabeth’s pale blond beauty. Who was she to part them?

One, two, three…

Then she caught Elizabeth’s eye. Her younger sister sneered at her, and then Catherine knew it was up to her to save Valentine and herself. Valentine was not the true target.

Catherine waited until Elizabeth was dancing with another man before approaching Lord Valentine. She did so overtly, making sure that Elizabeth saw her. As she moved toward him, crossing the ballroom, she received encouraging waves from her three cousins. He was standing by himself for the first time that evening, and Catherine knew this might be her only opportunity. But when she approached him, he barely glanced at her before looking away again. Still, there was something in his look that made her remember she hadn’t yet donned a shawl. She felt almost naked.

“My lord,” she said, standing beside him, refusing to allow him to make her more nervous than she already was.

“Miss Fullbright.” His voice was cold, and he obviously had no interest in speaking to her.

She followed his gaze and saw that he was watching Elizabeth dancing. He did not look
jealous. The closer she looked, the more he appeared simply satisfied by what he saw. She narrowed her eyes. Lord, the look on the man’s face was nothing short of proprietary. He looked quite pleased with his newest acquisition.

Catherine straightened her shoulders.
Caveat emptor
. “You are still intent on marrying my sister, I see.”

He gave her a sideways glance. “And you are still intent on persuading me otherwise.”

She shrugged. “I did try. But now that we are to be brother and sister by marriage, perhaps we should begin anew.”

Without taking his eyes from Elizabeth, he answered, “If that is your wish.”

And then they stood in silence.

Four, five, six, seven…

Catherine sent an appealing look to Josephine across the room. What was she to do now? Valentine had not asked her to dance; and he did not seem at all interested in continuing their conversation. This sort of behavior would only please Lizzy, not tempt her into throwing a tantrum.

Josephine bit her lip and consulted with Ashley, who was beside her. The two whispered while Catherine shifted from foot to foot, hoping no one came between her and Valentine.

Eight, nine…

The ballroom was growing more crowded as
the theaters let out, and the late arrivals made their appearance. Catherine watched the crowds and was forced to take a shaky breath. She could not panic now. Breathe, breathe.

Nine, ten, ten, ten…

“Are you well, Miss Fullbright?” Valentine said suddenly. She turned, and he was staring at her, concern in those lovely mahogany eyes.

Her first instinct was to assure him she was quite all right. Her family mocked her fears of crowds and tight places, and the weakness embarrassed her. But now that his eyes were on her, she wanted to keep them there. What would Elizabeth have done in this situation? Catherine had watched her flirt and charm men for years. Elizabeth would have wrapped Valentine around her fingers. She already had.

Catherine took another shaky breath—quite authentic—and said, “I’m sorry, sir, but I do not feel well at all. I think a bit of air—”

That was all she need say, and his hand was on the small of her back, and he was assisting her toward the French doors of her uncle William’s ballroom. The doors opened directly onto the lawn, and Catherine had entered through similar doors into other areas of the house often. As soon as she stepped outside, she recognized where she was and remembered the stone bench just a few feet away.

“If I might sit down for a moment,” she said
before Valentine could leave her to fetch one of her cousins or aunts to help her, “I believe it would help.”

“Of course,” Valentine said, taking her arm and leading her to the bench. He walked stiffly beside her, and Catherine was well aware he did not wish to be there.

He seated her on the bench, then moved an appropriate distance away, and Catherine had to think quickly to keep him close by. It was imperative her sister find them talking together. The very sight would so anger Elizabeth that she would finally show her true self. Then Valentine wouldn’t possibly wish to marry her, and Catherine would be free of the marriage threat hanging over her head long enough to escape with Josie.

“Thank you so much for your kindness,” she said softly, so that he was forced to move a step closer to hear her. “I am feeling better already.”

“Yes, your color is back,” he said, though his eyes were on the house and the activities of the ballroom. No matter. She did not need him to pay attention to her, merely to be by her side rather than Elizabeth’s. But there was something rather exciting about having him all to herself like this. In the semidarkness and shadows, his expressions were a mystery to her. And yet she could feel his presence and smell the scent he wore. She shivered, afraid and intrigued all at once.

She had not forgotten what men were capable
of. She had not forgotten her father’s vicious words and roughness, and so she could not understand why she, who knew what men were, wanted a man to touch her, caress her in that moment. She closed her eyes, remembering the feel of Valentine’s strong hand on the small of her back. The hand had guided and reassured her, and yet she knew that same hand could hurt.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, and to her surprise, he was staring at her. He did not look away when their gazes locked. He shifted and then he was closer, his knee brushing hers as he stood over her.