Scandal of the Season (12 page)

“What are you up to now?” she hissed.

“Am I interrupting some plans you made with Mr. Hardy?”

Reaching the top step, she stopped. “Perhaps you are. It is a beautiful day for a sleigh ride.”

“Good, then we shall do just that.” He led her down the hall and into their room. “Get your cloak and muff and we shall be off.”

He’d had no intention of spending the afternoon with her when he should be watching Hardy. But knowing Nicholas hated the cold, Anthony could have him watch Hardy for an hour.

“I am not going…” Her voice trailed off as he glared at her.

“I am paying you to do as I say,” he reminded her.

“Of course you are. I will get my things.” She quickly returned with her black cloak.

He put on his greatcoat and headed for the door. Once he had the sleigh ride arranged, he escorted her outside. A biting wind took his breath away, and he wondered at this idea. It would have been far more comfortable to talk to her in their room.

With a big bed nearby. And a warm fireplace.

His mind quickly filled with all the wrong ideas.

He shook his head to rid it of all the erotic yearnings. He could not have her again. She was only here to pretend to be his mistress. If only there wasn’t that shared past between them. He could have seduced her and started to become tired of her already. Just like every other woman he’d been with.

He tucked the fur blanket around them and then grabbed the reins from the stable boy. With a flick of the reins, they were gliding down across the fields. He looked over at her and smiled. Her eyes twinkled with excitement.

“Can I guess that you have never been on a sleigh before?”

She shook her head. “No,” her voice sounded breathy.

Noticing her red cheeks, he asked, “Are you warm enough?”

“Yes.” She looked around the open expanse. “It’s so beautiful here.”

He slowed the horses down and took the time to look around. A fresh coating of snow had turned all the trees to white. The only sounds were the birds chirping. It was as if they were the only two people in the world.

But he was here to do a job. That was all. And if she could assist him, even better.

“How did you find Mr. Hardy?” he asked.

“Do you know him?”

“No. Do you?”

She shivered but he didn’t know if it was from the cold or the idea of knowing Hardy.

“I found him to be typical of the men at this party. A libertine only interested in his pleasure.”

Anthony’s hand fisted. “Indeed?”

“The man looked down the bodice of my dress even though he knew I was with you. He told me it would please him to learn of our parting.”

“Did he now?” The idea that Hardy propositioned her while Anthony sat only six seats away stirred his anger. He’d been unable to find a way to get close enough to Hardy without rousing his suspicion. “I am not certain why that bothered you so terribly. A woman in your position must get used to the leering looks of men.”

Her jaw tightened but he waited for her retort disputing her occupation. When she said nothing but glanced away from him, he had no doubts about her.

“Oh, look!” Victoria pointed to a small deer at the edge of the forest. “He’s beautiful.”

“She is beautiful,” he corrected.

“How do you know it’s a she?”

“No antlers.”

Her cheeks darkened from embarrassment. “Oh.”

“How would you know if you have never seen one?” he asked softly for some reason wanting to ease her discomfiture.

“Shall we continue on? Or have you not received all the answers you needed regarding Mr. Hardy? Or perhaps you are not done disparaging my character?”

“Was anything else mentioned?” Ignoring her last comment, he gave a quick slap of the reins and the horses started down the road.

“No. He started to speak of the weather and politics to Mr. Singleton.”

“Politics?”

She shrugged under the fur rug. “I didn’t really listen at that point.”

“Why ever not?” he asked harshly.

She turned her head and stared at him oddly. “Because I have no interest in politics or Mr. Hardy. Why ever would I listen?”

Since he had told her nothing about his mission, she would have no idea why he would be interested in anything Mr. Hardy said. He released a long breath. The air swirled around him like a mist.

“Of course, you would not be interested in politics,” he finally replied.

She tilted her head. “Should I have listened in?”

The woman was far too intelligent. “It might have been useful.”

“Will you tell me why?”

“I cannot do that, Victoria. I’m sorry.” He actually did feel bad that he couldn’t tell her the truth. An intelligent woman might get farther with Hardy than him. But that was out of the question. He could not risk her safety.

“Very well,” she said stiffly. “Will we need to stay the entire week?”

“I am not certain yet.”

“When will you be certain?”

“I will let you know when I know.” He slapped the reins a little harder, eager to be back to the house. “Why are you so impatient to return to London? I thought you would like your adventure out of town.”

“I miss my children.”

Of course she did, he thought sarcastically. More than likely her reason to return was to get away from him. “I understand.”

“If there is something I can do to help us get home faster, will you let me know?” she asked in a soft voice.

He wanted to say no. He wanted to say yes. But in the end, he said in a vague tone, “Perhaps.”

After returning from the strange sleigh ride, Victoria walked to her room. Thankfully, Somerton decided to stay downstairs with Lord Ancroft. She wondered what Somerton was truly about today. More and more, she believed he had an ulterior motive for being at this party. And somehow, both Ancroft and Hardy were involved.

She walked slowly from one end of the room to the other. Why would Somerton be interested in Hardy? She knew Somerton would never tell her the truth. Perhaps she could glean some information from Lady Farleigh.

That might work. Talking with Hannah might give her some more insight into Somerton, too. Victoria sat down at the desk in the salon and wrote a quick note to Somerton, telling him she intended to meet with Hannah.

She just hoped she could get to Hannah before it was time to dress for dinner. As she made her way to the door, she realized she needed to relieve herself first. After finishing behind the screen in the bedroom, her breath caught when she heard the door open.

“If she is not in our room, we can talk privately in here,” Somerton said quietly.

She heard footsteps walking around the salon and then they stopped. She sat down on the stool behind the screen and waited for them to leave.

“She is with Hannah,” he said.

He must have read the note she left on the desk for him. This might give her the opportunity to find out exactly what they were looking for.

“Why haven’t you told her yet?”

That was Lord Ancroft’s voice. Her cheeks burned with mortification.
Please don’t let them walk into the bedroom,
she prayed silently.

“I cannot trust her,” Somerton replied. “She’s a thief, Nicholas.”

“You can’t trust any woman,” Ancroft commented. “But I think she might be able to help you.”

“How?”

“Use her to get to Hardy.”

Victoria’s eyes widened. So she was right!

“She finds the man to be a lecher,” Somerton said. “He was looking down her bodice at the luncheon table even though he knew she was under my protection.”

Nicholas laughed. “Sounds like something you would do and yet, she doesn’t find you lecherous.”

“No, I’m far worse than that in her opinion,” Somerton muttered.

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing important.”

Why would Somerton believe she thought so poorly of him? While he hadn’t always been a gentleman, he certainly didn’t turn her stomach like Hardy. With Somerton nearby the air was always charged with excitement and tension.

“I can’t get close to Hardy to find out if he’s received the missive. I checked his room this morning and found nothing in there.”

“If you’re not willing to use Miss Seaton, then I would suggest you engage him in cards tonight. Perhaps attempt to befriend him.”

Ancroft knew her name! How did he find out…unless Somerton told him? Somerton knew how important keeping her name secret was to her. She pressed her lips together as disappointment cut through her.

She pushed away her feelings of betrayal and listened to them again.

“All I need is that missive, and then I can get out of this place.”

Nicholas chuckled. “And away from temptation.”

Somerton muttered something that Victoria couldn’t decipher.

What was this note he was looking for? If she could help him find it then they could leave this dratted party and return to London. She would be away from him before she let her defenses crumble. There had to be a way she could assist him.

Ancroft had said they could use her to get close to Hardy. True, if the note was on his person, she could probably pinch it from him. But how would she know if Hardy had the note?

“Get Miss Seaton to pick his pocket, Somerton.”

Ancroft knew about that, too!

“I will not use her for this. She is only here to keep Farleigh off my back about Hannah.”

“When will he understand that Hannah loves him?” Nicholas asked.

“It doesn’t help that she will still look at me as if she wanted to take me to bed right in front of him.”

Victoria listened as they both moved in the room. She prayed they were not walking toward her. The door creaked open and then closed behind them. At least she hoped they had both left. Somerton would be furious if he discovered her eavesdropping on his conversations.

Sitting quietly, she waited for some noise, which would indicate his presence. After a minute, she stood and peeked around the room. He wasn’t in here. She tiptoed to the doorway of the salon and peered around the corner. The room was thankfully empty.

She tossed the note for Somerton into the fireplace since she no longer needed to speak with Hannah. Taking a seat by the warm fire, she wondered at that. Hannah might be able to give her information on Hardy. But somehow, Victoria would need to get those details without making Hannah suspicious of her actions.

And as the door opened and Somerton walked inside the room, she knew she had to do something because every time she saw him, her defenses crumbled a little more.

“What are you doing in here?” Anthony asked after closing the door behind him. “I thought you were with Lady Farleigh.”

She shrugged. “I needed to think so I decided to return for some privacy. Besides, it will soon be time to dress for dinner.”

“Wear the blue velvet tonight,” he said then tossed his jacket on a chair.

“Why?”

Could she not know how beautiful she looked in that gown? Perhaps she was acting coy with him. “It matches your eyes.”

“Somerton,” she started then paused.

“Yes?”

“Do you think we could talk for a few minutes?”

He took the chair across from her and stared at her. “That might depend on the topic.”

“I am sleeping in the same bed with a man I know practically nothing about. I thought it might be pleasant if we became better acquainted.”

“Why would it matter? You are only here to pretend to be my mistress.” Yet even as he gave his usual retort, he wondered at her intent.

She glanced at the fireplace and nodded. “Of course,” she mumbled.

“What do you want to know?” he asked in a resigned tone.

“Anything. I know nothing about you. Are your parents alive? Do you have any siblings?”

He supposed it wouldn’t hurt to give her a small amount of information. “My father is alive and I have a sister who is twenty.”

“Oh,” she replied flatly.

How much detail did she need? “Genna, my sister, is engaged to Lord Lindal. They are supposed to marry after Christmas.”

She tilted her head and looked at him with a little smile. “Something in your voice tells me you are not completely happy about that.”

The woman was far too smart. “Lindal is a good man.”

“But…?”

“I am not certain of her feelings for him.”

She leaned forward in her chair. “Then you must stop them. You cannot let your sister marry someone if she is unsure of her feelings for him. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. It is vitally important that she love her husband.”

Thinking back to the comments from his mother, he wondered if love was the answer. Loving her husband had caused her nothing but pain. Perhaps it would be better if Genna married Lindal, then. If she didn’t love him then he could not hurt her.

“Love is not the answer,” he muttered, staring into the fireplace.

“Who hurt you so badly?” she whispered.

He turned his head and glared at her. “No one.”

She looked as if she were about to question him further on that topic but quickly closed her mouth.

“And what about you, Miss Seaton?”

“What about me, Lord Somerton?”

“I am still curious how a woman of no means goes from selling oranges to living in a home and taking in orphans.”

She stared at him. Her blue eyes hardening. “I thought you had that all figured out.” She rose from the seat and headed into the bedroom.

Dammit! Why couldn’t he let her former profession go? Unless it wasn’t her former occupation. He watched the flames lick the firebox. He didn’t want to know the answer to his question. Because he blamed himself for what she’d become. If he had never touched her that night, her life might have turned out completely different.

He shook his head and walked into the bedroom to find out what she was doing now. He found her behind the screen, attempting to unbutton her dress.

“Why didn’t you call for a maid?”

“I can do it,” she mumbled, straining her arms to reach the buttons.

“No, you cannot.”

He walked behind the screen and swept her hands out of the way. Just being this close to her sent far too many erotic thoughts into his head. He unbuttoned the small buttons one at a time savoring the hint of lavender on her skin. Desire surged in him as he exposed more of her pearly skin.

Hearing her swift intake of breath, he wondered if she felt this same tension. She could not want him after what he’d done to her. But it never stopped him from desiring her. He hadn’t stopped thinking about it for days.

“Are you finished yet,” she asked in a breathy voice.

He didn’t want to be finished. “Yes.”

“Would you mind leaving so I may remove my dress?”

“Of course.” He walked to the linen press and pulled out his own clothing. He should have hired a lady’s maid for her. Hannah said Victoria could use hers but he knew Victoria would not want to bother Hannah just for dressing. Instead, he had no choice but to play lady’s maid.

“Somerton?”

“Yes?”

“Could you get these blasted buttons?”

At least this time he would be buttoning her and not undressing her. “Very well.”

Restraining his desire for her, he walked back behind the screen and made quick work of the buttons. He waited for her to turn around. What the bloody hell had he been thinking when he ordered that gown for her? The sapphire blue matched her eyes perfectly. The bodice of the dress curved low displaying just a hint of a valley between her small breasts.

“Somerton, are you all right?”

He would never be all right after seeing her in that gown. He had the strangest urge to lock her in the room so no one else would see her.

“I am perfectly well,” he said a little too harshly.

She moved past him with a slight shrug. “Very well, then.”

He stood behind the screen for a moment to collect his breath. She had absolutely no idea what she did to him. And she could never find out. She would hate him for his lusting after her again. Although, he believed she already suspected it.

After changing into his dinner attire, he held out his arm to escort her to the large salon. They entered the room and a footman handed them both a glass of sherry. Anthony watched as she sipped the liquid vaguely remembering the night she sipped brandy from the bottle at St. George’s Church.

Hannah approached them both, a secret smile on her face. “Good evening, Mrs. Smith, Lord Somerton.”

“Lady Farleigh, you look lovely tonight,” Somerton replied.

Victoria mumbled some response but leveled him with a glare.

“How was the sleigh ride this afternoon?” Hannah pried.

“Very nice,” Victoria answered.

“A touch frigid,” he replied with a brow arched at Victoria.

“Oh, Somerton,” Hannah said with a soft laugh. “Perhaps you should return her to your room and melt her heart.”

Victoria tensed.

Somerton looked over at Victoria with a little grin. “Perhaps I should.”

Hannah walked away with another light laugh.

“How dare you embarrass me like that,” Victoria hissed.

“Haven’t you learned by now that I dare to do just about anything?”

She pulled her arm out of his grip and walked away. He watched as she realized her mistake. She glanced around and then sulked back toward him.

“Do not say a word to me,” she whispered. “I am only back with you because I know no one else here.”

“Do not forget that you are supposed to be my mistress. I believe you should remember that and stop glaring at me.”

“Of course,” she snapped. “How could I forget about the man who is paying me?”

He almost chuckled at her waspish tone. “Exactly, Mrs. Smith. You will do what I say and when.”

“Only if it is part of the act.”

He escorted her into the dining room and noticed she was sitting near Hardy again. His brows furrowed in confusion. Had Victoria asked that of Hannah when she went to speak with her this afternoon? Hannah would never agree knowing Victoria was his mistress.

Unless Victoria had confided in Hannah!

They were going to have a long talk tonight. He would get answers from her.

Victoria took a forkful of her pheasant and chewed slowly. Anything to avoid too much conversation with Mr. Hardy. Although, she really should engage him to see what she could learn.

She slid a glance up the table where the exasperating Somerton sat next to Lord Bingham. The old earl could barely keep his eyes open, leaving Somerton with one less person to talk with. He arched a brow at her when he noticed her gaze.

She wondered who had hurt the man so dreadfully that he couldn’t respect women. A part of her wanted to tell him the truth about her background. But she could not spill her secrets to him when he wasn’t about to spill his.

“Mrs. Smith, I have heard there will be dancing tonight,” Mr. Hardy said after a sip of wine. “Will you save me a dance?”

Dancing! Oh, God, she just didn’t belong here. “I am sorry, Mr. Hardy but I cannot.”

He frowned at her and most likely thought her rude. But it wasn’t incivility that made her say no. She might be able to pretend to be a mistress but she would never be able to pretend to be a proper lady.

“Perhaps another time,” she added to make him feel better.

“I suppose you will save all your dances for Somerton.”

She could have sworn she heard a slight note of jealousy coming from him. If she could find whatever missive Somerton needed then she could return home sooner. Unfortunately, that meant flirting with Hardy.

“I hurt my foot this afternoon, Mr. Hardy. I will not be dancing with anyone tonight.”

“Are you all right?”

She smiled at him but felt Somerton’s burning gaze from several seats away. “I will be very well. It was just a little twist. I must have lost my footing on a small rock hidden under the snow.”