Taste of Temptation (13 page)

Authors: Cheryl Holt

Tags: #Romance - Historical, #American Light Romantic Fiction, #General, #Romance, #Fiction, #Fiction - Romance, #Love stories, #Romance: Historical, #Historical, #American Historical Fiction, #Regency novels, #Regency fiction

BOOK: Taste of Temptation

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Jane Hamilton was pretty, confident, and bright—the sort that would attract any gentleman’s attention. She possessed every positive trait that Miriam lacked, and there was something sly about her that Maud didn’t like or trust.

Jane was clever and dangerous. She assessed the house and furnishings in a covetous fashion, as if scheming over how she could arrange her affairs so she never had to leave.

“Did Michael say where they’d been?” Maud asked.

“He claimed he’d had an accident in the woods, that he’d fallen off his horse, which delayed their return.”

“You believed him?”

“Yes. Shouldn’t I have? Why would he lie to me?”

Maud couldn’t understand how she’d birthed such a silly child.

When it came to her daughter, she was no fool, and she wasn’t blind. Jane was extraordinary, while Miriam was absolutely ordinary, so what chance did Miriam have against such stellar competition?

If Miriam was to maintain her place in relation to Michael, Maud had to get rid of the Hamiltons, but the captain was irrationally enamored of them. How could Maud persuade him to send them away? And until she could devise a valid argument to sway him, how was she to counter their overrunning of the household?

“There’s no alternative, Miriam. We have to take drastic measures. You’ll have to begin riding lessons again.”

“Oh, Mother, no! You know I can’t abide horses. They’re so big and so ... tall.”

“Do you want to marry Michael or don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then you must get over these absurd fears. They’re unseemly.”

“I’m not brave.”

“You don’t have to be brave. You just have to be smart.” Maud started out of the room.

“Where are you going?” Miriam’s voice was an irritating whine.

“I need to talk to Captain Odell. He must curb Michael’s behavior.”

“Can the captain make him ignore Miss Hamilton?”

“No. Only you can do that.”

“But ... how?”

“If you have to ask, Miriam, there’s no hope of your ever being a countess.”

“CAPTAIN, may I speak with you?”

“Sorry, Maud, but I have a four o’clock appointment.”

Tristan forced a smile and tried to walk on to the library, but she was blocking his way. Short of picking her up and setting her aside, he couldn’t avoid a conversation.

“We must review our travel plans,” she nagged.

“I don’t see why. We’ll simply climb in our carriages and go.”

They were scheduled to make a trip to the Seymour family seat, and it would be Michael’s first visit since assuming the title. Every year, the villagers threw a party to kick off the harvest. But with Michael being the new earl, the festival would hold additional meaning for all.

“Obviously, Captain”—Maud chuckled as if Tristan was very naive—“you have no idea of the effort it takes to move us to the country.”

“Yes, I do. I just don’t care to fret over it. The servants are very proficient, and they know what is required to prepare. I’m sure we’ll manage.”

He continued on, but before he could escape, she clasped his arm so that, suddenly, he was strolling with her.

“There is one other matter we must discuss,” she insisted.

“What is it?”

“It’s rather private. May we step into a parlor?”

“I really don’t have time, Maud.”

“Well, it can’t wait, so we’ll have to hash it out in the hall where anyone can overhear.” She halted and pulled him around to face her. “It’s about Michael.”

“Isn’t it always?”

Maud constantly sniped about Michael. She seemed to not like him or Rose very much, and Tristan couldn’t figure out why she’d stayed on for so long, when she found the two children so untenable. He recognized that she’d been tempted by the money and the lofty position that came with supervising them. Unfortunately, Rose and Michael had suffered from her lack of interest.

Michael had become an uncontrollable roué, and Rose had grown quiet and forlorn. At times, Tristan could barely keep from shaking Maud and demanding an explanation for her indifference.

“There was a bit of a ...
situation
... today,” she said.

“What sort of situation?”

“He was riding with the Hamilton girl—the one who is his same age.”

“Jane, yes. He’s mentioned her passion for horses.”

“They raced off together and left Miriam behind.”

“And ... ?”

“They were gone for over an hour, with no one having any idea of where they were or what they were doing.”

“Your point being ... ?”

“They’re both adolescents, Captain. I shouldn’t have to spell out the dangers.”

“You suspect Michael compromised her? Is that what you’re claiming?”

“No. I merely think a word to the wise might be advisable. We wouldn’t want her reputation tarnished. Nor would we want Michael ensnared in a peccadillo. It would create a horrid mess.”

Tristan agreed. His father had specifically charged him with arranging a good marriage for Michael. He would wed a woman of the appropriate rank and station. Jane Hamilton would never be the bride Tristan would select.

“Don’t worry, Maud, I’ve spoken to Michael.”

“You have?”

“I made myself very clear. He understands the risks posed by Jane Hamilton, and he would never be so foolish as to involve himself with her.”

“I hope you’re correct.”

“I am.”

She looked as if she was about to argue that Michael was brimming with deception, but Tristan wouldn’t listen to any denigrating remarks.

Luckily, he was saved from a quarrel by Rose skipping down the hall.

“Tristan! Tristan! There you are! I’ve been searching everywhere.”

She hurried up, causing Maud to bristle.

“Honestly, Rose,” Maud scolded, “where are your manners ? Captain Odell and I are talking. It’s rude of you to interrupt.”

In the months Tristan had lived with the family, he’d never seen Rose so animated, and at Maud’s sharp tone, she instantly deflated. Her smile vanished, her shoulders sagged.

“I’m sorry, Tristan.”

“Don’t be,” he declared. “Maud and I were just fin-wished.”

He glared at Maud, daring her to disagree.

“We’ll continue this conversation later,” she said, appearing affronted.

“I eagerly await your comments,” he lied, breathing a sigh of relief when she walked on.

He turned his attention back to his sister. She was so lovely with her blond hair and big blue eyes. She was wearing a white dress with a pink ribbon around the waist that matched the one in her hair, and it brought out the rosy hue in her cheeks.

“You’re very pretty, Miss Rose,” he told her, and he was rewarded with a huge grin.

“I am?”

“Yes. What can I do for you?”

“I had to tell you something important.”

“What is it?”

“I am so glad Amelia is staying with us.”

“I’m glad, too.”

“I’ve been lonely—what with Father being gone and all.”

“I thought that you might be.”

“I can’t believe that you knew exactly what I wanted.”

“What was that?”

“A friend, silly. I’ve been praying every night, and now—just like magic—Amelia is here!”

With that small announcement, she wrapped her arms around him, her face buried against his chest, and she hugged him with all her might.

He was taken off guard by the sweet gesture, and for a moment, he froze, not sure how to accept it.

Previously, they’d been very formal with one another, and he was delighted to know that she was growing to like him.

He hugged her back, actually planting a kiss on the top of her head.

“Thank you, Tristan,” she said. “Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome, Rose. It was my pleasure.”

“IT’S four-thirty, Miss Hamilton. You’re late.”

“I may be late, but I was here at ten this morning, and you weren’t here at all.”

Helen nearly closed the library door, then decided she shouldn’t, so she left it ajar. She marched over to the desk and pulled up a chair.

“Where were you?” she inquired. “I waited an hour.”

“I was ... ah ... indisposed.”

“Hung-over, were you?”

“You’ll never get me to admit it.”

“You don’t have to
admit
it. I saw the proof with my own two eyes.”

She blushed, furious that she’d mentioned the torrid episode. She’d been flustered all day, wondering how they’d interact. They were bound in an odd fashion, but that didn’t mean she should roll around with him on a bed! What had she been thinking?

Her vehement participation had shocked and frightened her. She’d always suspected that many of her father’s disgraceful traits were bubbling just beneath the surface, and her behavior with Odell had confirmed her worst fears: Given the right set of circumstances—and the right man—she was ridiculously loose.

“Are hangovers the norm for you, Captain? If overindulgence is a problem, perhaps we should forego our morning appointments.”

“No, it is not the
norm,
Miss Hamilton, and we’ll meet as scheduled.” He scowled. “You are supposed to call me Tristan when we’re alone.”

“You shouldn’t count on it.”

“You are so full of sass. Where do you come by that impertinent tongue?”

“I was born with it.”

“I’m certain that’s true.” He gestured to the door. “Shut it.”

“No.”

“No?” His scowl deepened. “You seem to be laboring under the mistaken impression that you don’t have to do as I say.”

“If you expect me to obey, you must give me orders that make sense.”

“In your tortured mind, why does it not make sense to shut the door?”

“Because I don’t want to be sequestered in here with you. People will talk.”

“Let them.”

“No. I’m trying to fit in with the other servants and—”

“You are not a servant!”

“A semantic difference, Captain.”

“It’s Tristan, Miss Hamilton.”

“I prefer Captain Odell.”

He snorted with what might have been either disdain or amusement.

“There must be a reason I put up with you, Miss Hamilton, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

“I’m sure something will occur to you. Maybe after your hangover wanes, your thought processes will clear.”

“I take it back: There’s no good reason why I put up with you.”

He rose from his chair, and she jumped and pressed into her seat. She was terrified that he would approach her, that he would steal another kiss, and the notion was so electrifying that she couldn’t imagine herself refusing.

To her great relief, though, he walked on by, but the instant she relaxed, she realized his intent. She stiffened with alarm.

“Captain!” She stood, planning to stomp over and stop him.

“Be silent.”

He closed the door and spun the key.

“I can’t be locked in here with you,” she hissed.

“You already are.”

“I won’t allow you to bully me like this.”

She stormed over, prepared to wrestle the key away, but he stuck it in a pocket inside his coat. Unless she wanted to grope about under his clothes, she couldn’t retrieve it.

“Give it to me,” she fumed.

‘No.

He took a step toward her, and she took one back. He took another, and she did the same. He was herding her across the room, gradually working her to a rear corner.

“What are you doing?” she blustered.

“What does it look like?”

“Stay right where you are, you bounder.”

She held out her palm, as if the small appendage could ward him off.

“Have you had your daily supply of kissing, Miss Hamilton? Has the urge overtaken you?”

“Despite what you suppose, I suffer from no salacious
urges.”

“Last night, if memory serves, I offered to satisfy your need for ilirtation.”

“Last night, you were drunk.”

“But not sufficiently so that I forgot any of the details.”

She winced. She’d been hoping he’d have forgotten them all!