Surrender Your Grace (21 page)

“I can’t believe she would be so cruel and wish harm to you and your baby. You won’t have to deal with your sister again if you don’t wish to. I promise. We will take her to the country and hope she can find some compassion and civility.”

Andrew gathered Cici tightly against his chest as he spoke coolly to his mother-in-law. “I suggest you find a physician who specializes in disorders of the mind. She is obviously unstable to behave so. As Cici has said, she is no longer welcome in our home or around any of our family. She cannot be trusted. Do you understand me, Madam?”

“Clearly and without question, Your Grace.” With those last words, she turned and with a look of sheer anguish on her face, followed her husband out.

Cici collapsed then, her knees buckling and her body trembling in the aftermath of the family drama. And even though finding out her sister hated her was distressing, it fell short of the fear that someone else was out there attempting to harm her. She was distraught and her brain was having trouble processing further information.

Several hours later, she awakened to a blanket of heat engulfing her. As sleep cleared her foggy head, she remembed being plagued with a headache. She had skipped dinner and gone to bed with one of Cooks herbal teas. She quickly assessed her pain and finding it gone, snuggled into the warm body behind her, sighing in contentment. She felt Andrew’s strong arm pull her firmly against him as his lips seared her exposed neck and shoulder. Turning in his arms, she looked at his masculine beauty and thanked God for sending her such a loving, protective husband. She noticed that he watched her intently as if waiting for something to happen.

It was at that moment that reality crept in and shattered the idyllic moment. The smile faded from her face and she closed her eyes. Dropping her head against his chest she moaned in emotional agony. “How could she come to hate me so, Andrew?”

“I don’t know. It is disturbing considering how close my own family is. I’d rather cut off my own arm than see something happen to Maggie. James was the same way.”

“She wasn’t always this way. As girls we played and were the best of friends.” Cici laughed derisively, “Or maybe that was a lie.” She absently stroked his broad, muscular chest as she spoke. The small amount of chest hair was just right and it tickled her nose as she rested against him. His strength was such a comfort to her. “I guess she changed when the boys started noticing her. She got so much attention that she became shallow and self-absorbed.”

Propping herself on her elbow she looked down at him, bewilderment wrinkling her troubled brow. “I never knew she felt so neglected by papa. He never was overly affectionate. He did take note of my interest in education and travel, but he never doted on me as she claimed. Do you think she somehow substituted the attention from boys for what she didn’t get from papa?”

“Most likely, when she saw you getting the attention she so desperately wanted, she turned on you as well. I gather that when you married before her, getting the title she’d always dreamed of, that combined with the waning interest from men all became too much and she lashed out.”

“So where does that leave us?”

“The police are searching for Lady Winslow as we speak.” He raised his hand and with a long finger smoothed the furrows from her brow.

“Lady Winslow,” she said with derision. Her name alone leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. “I must say your taste is women leaves a lot to be desired, husband.”

“Present company excluded?”

“Hm… you didn’t exactly pick me, did you.”

Andrew sighed heavily. “Guilty as charged my sweet. But I think that if Maggie had arranged the introduction she planned, the result would have been the same. You are special I noticed while we were in the garden that night. I feel certain I would have figured it out.”

Leaning down, she kissed him. “You are very sweet, Andrew.”

“Let’s not let that get around, it could damage my reputation.”

“Your secrets safe with me.” Smiling, she laid her head against his shoulder and they lay quietly, both lost in thought. “Did you ever suspect she was behind it?”

“She was my second suspect behind Elizabeth. Duncan did some checking and found out she left town yesterday. This gentleman in the alley must be helping her with all of her schemes. At the time of the opera she was on the continent, evidently she is trying to cover her tracks.”

“What can she hope to gain by this?”

“Maybe is using you to hurt me.” He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”

“What about the man?”

“I haven’t a clue. Until we find her, we won’t be able to identify him.”

Snuggling down against his chest again she sighed. “It’s like some awful nightmare that I can’t awaken from. Pinch me Andrew and tell me it is only a dream.”

“I wish that I could. With every ounce of my being, I wish it were only a bad dream.”

Chapter Eighteen

H
er maid was putting the finishing touches on her hair when Andrew walked into her room. She sighed as she admired him in his evening clothes. His tall broad frame was perfect for the formal black tailcoat. It was matched with a black silk waistcoat, narrow neck cloth and white silk shirt with a turned down collar. His wavy hair was brushed back from his forehead and his face was smooth from a recent shave. He smiled as their eyes met and he returned her assessing gaze.

Turning back to her mirror, she checked her appearance a last time before dismissing her maid. “That will be all, Mary. You have again worked miracles.”

“Your beautiful hair is easy to work with, Your Grace.” She bobbed a curtsy and took her leave.

“You are stunning as always, my love.” His eyes swept over her beautiful face and up to her wealth of red hair. The unique color was a mix of red and gold hues that shone in the light and surpassed the beauty of the small yellow tea roses that were worked into the intricate design. Her maid had achieved a stunning upswept style with the bulk of her hair gathered loosely at her crown leaving several soft tendrils flowing across her bare back and shoulders. He was pleased to see that the front of her hair was side swept without the fussy sausage curls that were so popular these days.

“None of the dreadful sausages, Andrew. I can’t stand them either.” She rose to stand before him, shaking out her pale yellow gown. She stood petite before her tall husband, the top of her head reaching only to his shoulder. Looking up into his handsome face she smiled dreamily. “You look so fine in your formal attire. I should be carrying a big stick to beat off all the hussies who will be drooling over you and clamoring for your attention.”

“And I should load a pistol to keep at the ready to deter the fools that will be ogling and drooling over your gorgeous dugs, my sweet.”

Smacking her fan against his sleeve, she giggled.

“Didn’t I veto this gown? How on earth did you get her to make it up?”

“I asked her to raise the neckline a bit. To keep you from coming to blows with the other gentlemen, of course.”

“Humph! She fell short by at least an inch then, dear heart.”

“Nonsense Andrew, if left up to you I’d wear nothing but high necked blouses and be accused of being a dowd.”

Pulling her close, he traced a long finger across the tops of her breasts left bare by the daring neckline. “These belong to me, wife. Can I be blamed for wanting to keep this bounty for my eyes alone?”

“This is a French design and perfectly presentable. There will be many women attending tonight who have much lower necklines than I do.”

“I don’t care about the other women, Cici. They are not married to me.”

“Oh Andrew, that is such a wonderful thing to say.”

“Let’s go over the rules again.”

Cici sighed and rolled her eyes, “We’ve been over them a hundred times.”

“Then this will make one hundred and one. And don’t roll your eyes at me, it’s disrespectful.”

“Yes, Andrew.”

“Rule One?”

“No going out in the garden, period.”

“Rule Two?”

“Mama will direct and interact with any of the extra staff.” Due to the number of guests expected they had arranged for extra help with serving and security.

“Rule three?”

“I am not to leave the first floor for any reason until the ball is over. Stay away from stairs, doors and windows and don’t eat or drink anything that you don’t give to me. I know them all, Andrew.”

He frowned down at her. He still didn’t like it, a houseful of guests and strange staff members worried him. But he and Duncan had screened them all and had made it absolutely clear that no one was to be admitted without an invitation .

Reaching up she cupped his smooth cheek, “Don’t worry, my love. Tonight will be perfect.” Standing on tiptoe to kiss him, she felt a jab in her side and looked down to see he was holding a long velvet covered box. “What do you have there, husband?”

“I have neglected to share some of the family jewelry with you, sweetheart.” Opening the box he revealed a stunning necklace of perfectly matched diamonds. She turned to the mirror and as he clasped it around her neck, saw that it curved to an elegant point in the center. He also presented her with a matched pair of dangly diamond earrings.

“They are exquisite, Andrew. I am almost afraid to wear them.”

He frowned as he looked at the point of the necklace. It appeared to direct one’s gaze directly to her notable cleavage. “I’m not sure these are right for this gown. Every rogue and reprobate in the house will see you as a challenge.”

“You are overreacting I think. I have never been overrun with attention before by rogues, reprobates or even gentlemen the like.”

“That was before you were a married woman. Many gentlemen find married women fair game.”

“They will find that I am firmly devoted to my husband. Besides, if you fill up my dance card they won’t have a chance to work their wiles on me.”

“I claim every waltz and all the supper dances. And to hell with the old biddies who find that unfashionable.” Pulling her up against him, he bent his head to her throat and inhaled her evocative scent. Reluctantly he pulled away, giving her ear a gentle nibble before he let her go. Looking at the sensual haze in her eyes, he shook his head. “We must stop. I can’t take you anywhere with that lustful look in your eyes.”

“I can’t help it. You make me burn with your touch.”

“Stop it Cici, or we won’t leave the bedroom. I suppose I should leave your other surprise for later.”

“What other surprise?” Unused to being showered with gifts while growing up, her husband made a point to bring her something special at least once a week. Her eyes sparkled with eagerness. “Andrew, don’t torture me. Please may I have it?”

“Yes, oh impatient one,” he teased before turning to the table by the door and picking up a wrapped rectangular package. “I thought you would enjoy this, but you must wait until I can look at it with you. I want to see the expression on your face when you first have a look.”

He placed the heavy package in her hands and watched as she eagerly ripped the paper away. She flushed when she saw the drawing on the cover of the old, well-preserved book. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes, that is the cause of your one and only caning. A copy of the original
Kama Sutra
which was written in Indian Sanskrit in what historians believe was as early as 400 BC. You will have to enjoy the drawings unless you read ancient Hindu. There are no English translations yet, but I hear a linguist is working on one.”

“This is illegal isn’t it Andrew?”

“Yes, it is considered too naughty for the public to tolerate, so we will keep it under lock and key in my room. Now, I want you to select a page at random and whatever act is depicted is the one we will explore when we retire to our rooms tonight.”

“Truly? What if it is too, uh…? I mean, Maggie said there are hundreds of sex acts depicted in it.”

“I still can’t believe my unmarried sister knows about these things,” he grimaced at the thought and shook his head in disbelief. “Regarding your question, there is nothing contained in that book that is out of bounds. Close your eyes and open the book, Cici. Where is your sense of adventure?”

“Are you certain there is nothing to, um… unnatural?”

He laughed at her description. “I’m not sure what you consider unnatural, but I promise we won’t do, touch or experiment with anything that God didn’t see fit to give us, at least for now.” He winked at her refusing to elaborate. He would expand her sexual horizons, but he wanted to ease her into it not scare her off.

“All right then…” she agreed and closing her eyes opened the book to a random page then shoved it into his hands. “I’m afraid to look. What did I pick?”

Andrew turned the book in his hand and examined the drawing before looking up at her with a seductive gleam in his eye. “Oh sweetheart, we are going to have so much fun with this.”

“What is it?” He laughed softly and closed the book, tucking it under his arm; he grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind him. “Andrew, you have to tell me. You can’t torment me all evening. I’ll die from curiosity. Please?”

“All I’m going to say my love is “
soixante-neuf
”.”

“Sixty-nine? What is that? Is that the page number?” When he laughed louder, she tried to grab the book back. He stopped her by holding it high above his head. “Andrew!”

“Cici, we can stay here and expand your French vocabulary or you will have to be patient and wait. I leave the choice to you.”

Looking down at her new gown, she thought about all the time she had taken to prepare for hosting her very first ball. What would everyone think if the host and hostess didn’t show up? She frowned at him, “you are just a big tease, husband.”

He gave her a wickedly sinful grin and waited for her answer.

She stomped her foot in frustration. “But we are the hosts. Lord Rothbury’s mother has travelled all the way from Scotland to attend. Your mother has worked tirelessly to help me and Duncan and Maggie will never forgive us if we bow out on their engagement ball. We can’t disappoint them to stay in our rooms to have...”