The Elusive Wife (13 page)

Lord Garland on her one side was getting slowly drunk and his comments were becoming more and more outrageous. Poor Fairfax on her other side kept trying to make conversation with her, but was constantly interrupted by requests from his mother. She needed the salt handed to her. She would like some more of the beef. She would prefer more water and no wine. Get her shawl, she was too cold, take it away, she was too hot. All of these requirements should have been directed to a footman, but it seemed only her son could satisfy her.
Poor man
.

She smiled to herself at the quandary Jason had gotten himself into. While he was busy watching her, she laughed to herself at Lady Cicely trying her best to get his attention. Jason being a young, handsome, wealthy, titled man of the
ton
put him in the path of every marriage-seeking debutante and mama in town. And his reputation as a rake attracted the attention of all those women looking for a skilled lover to warm their bed while their husbands were otherwise occupied—in most cases with their mistresses.

It was what she loathed about Society. So few married for anything other than position and wealth. Once the heir and spare occupied the nursery, husband and wife went their separate ways. It was sad, actually. If she couldn’t have a husband who adored her as Grif did his wife, then she would have none at all. She would be happy when this tiresome Season was over and she could escape to Italy where worthwhile endeavors would take up her time, instead of day after day of frivolous activities.

The footmen laid platters of sweets, fruit and cheese in the center of the table as Jason, Lady Cecily and Lady Lyons returned to the room. The young girl hung on Jason’s arm, chattering away. Jaw tightened and his lips in a thin line, he did his best to smile at her. Olivia bit her lip to keep from laughing.

After dessert the ladies retired to the drawing room for tea, leaving the men to enjoy their port. Lady Cecily went on and on about Lord Coventry, and how attentive he’d been during dinner, and so thoughtful to escort her to the garden when she felt faint. Then Lady Lyons seized center stage to regale the ladies with tales of the numerous offers her lovely Cecily had received so far, and what an impression she had made on the
ton
since her coming out.

Thankfully, the gentlemen returned and conversation turned from Lady Cecily and her conquests to general
ton
news and gossip. Jason spoke briefly with Lord Stafford and then headed directly for Olivia. He touched her briefly on her elbow, but before he could speak, Lady Cummings stood. “Lady Olivia, we have heard so many accounts of your wonderful talent on the pianoforte. I wonder if you will play for us?”

Olivia flushed and glanced at Jason, surprised to see a look of encouragement and pride in his eyes. Confused, she made her way to the front of the room.

She sat and breathed deeply for a moment to clear her mind, then began Beethoven’s
Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor
, another of her favorites. Again quiet descended on the room as her playing captivated her audience.

When she finished, Lady Lyons applauded briefly, then addressed the group. “That was lovely, Lady Olivia, but I must insist that my daughter also play for us. She has so much talent, it is always remarked upon.”

Olivia quickly made her way to the back of the room as Lady Cecily settled on the pianoforte bench. Jason headed toward Olivia when Lady Cecily said, “Lord Coventry, will you please turn the pages for me?”

Rolling his eyes in Olivia’s direction, he turned to Lady Cecily. “Of course, my lady, I would be honored.” The young girl simpered and shifted on the pianoforte bench.

It was really quite funny to watch Jason pretend to be “honored” to turn pages for Lady Cecily.

Too bad these manners were not on display on the day we married.

The girl did play nicely, Olivia had to admit, which was a relief since so many young ladies who really should never be allowed near an instrument were forced to play at gatherings.

When Lady Cecily finished, Olivia hurried to Elizabeth who waved in her direction.

“Grif and I are leaving, dear, I’m not feeling quite the thing.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Elizabeth.” Olivia slid her arm through her friend’s and walked toward the door.

“No, dear, you must stay and enjoy the rest of the evening, Lord Coventry has offered to escort you home.”

Olivia raised her chin. “That’s most gracious, but I’m ready to take my leave. There’s no need for his lordship to go out of his way.”

“’Tis no trouble, my lady. I insist you stay. I would be honored to see you home.” Jason had come up behind her, lightly grasping her elbow. Her skin sizzled where his hand rested. She could smell the heady scent of Bay Rum and leather and feel the heat radiating from him. Her body responded immediately, her heart speeding up.

Grif appeared with Elizabeth’s wrap. “Please Olivia, allow Jason to accompany you home. Elizabeth and I would be distressed if you cut the evening short on our behalf.”

“Lady Olivia, you must stay,” Lady Cummings approached the group at the door. “We are about to play whist and we need an even amount of players.”

“Very well, I would enjoy a game of whist myself.” She smiled at her hostess.

Jason’s deep voice cut into her. “Excellent, we will form partners and get started.”

“Lord Coventry, Mama and I would love for you to be our fourth with Lord Phillmore.” Lady Cecily came to stand next to Jason, putting her hand on his arm.

Jason smiled brightly at the young girl. “I’m so sorry, Lady Cecily, but I just now promised to partner Lady Olivia.” He looked in Olivia’s direction with pleading eyes.

Why should I help the devil out?

Then she made the fatal mistake of looking into those eyes and all rational thought fled.

“Yes, I’m afraid I have just consented to partner his lordship.”

Lady Cecily smiled tightly. “Some other time, perhaps.”

“Yes, indeed,” Jason bowed in her direction. He took Olivia’s arm and walked her in the direction of the game room. “Thank you so much for that.” He leaned close to her ear.

Olivia shivered as his breath slid over her, and squelched the urge to move nearer to the warmth of his mouth. Then she stiffened at his audacity.

“Don’t read anything into it, my lord.” She stared straight ahead as they headed to the card tables.

…

The tea cart rolled into the room after the last hand of cards had been played. Jason found Lady Cecily practically sitting on his lap on the settee while her mother busily traded
on dits
with the Dowager Duchess of Northumberland and Lady Fairfax. Jason’s annoyance increased as Olivia held a deep conversation with Drake. His friend’s gaze drifted more than once to Olivia’s bodice.

Tomorrow he would shoot the man.

Jason stood and bowed to Lady Cecily. “It has been a pleasure, my lady, and now I bid you good evening.”

She raised her hand to Jason. “Mama would love for you to call on us some afternoon, my lord.”

Is there no end to the chit’s forwardness? She is definitely headed for trouble if Lady Lyons doesn’t rein her in.

“Perhaps, but my days are quite taken up right now.” With that he quickly turned and almost ran toward Olivia.

She tensed as he touched her elbow.

“I say, old boy, I’m having my carriage brought around.” Jason nodded to Drake, and taking Olivia’s hand tucked it into his arm.

Drake smirked. “In a hurry, Coventry? It’s still early.”

“Move back, Stafford, you’re standing too close to Lady Olivia. Give the woman room to breathe. And I see your sister trying to get your attention.” Jason glared at Drake.

“So she is,” Drake smiled. “Good night to both of you.” He bowed and made his way to his sister.

They were both silent as they descended the stairs and climbed into the carriage. Olivia moved to the corner of the coach, hugging the space. Her hands twisted in her lap and she kept running her tongue around the outside of her mouth.

Jason stared at her and a wave of desire washed over him. Her touch, her smell, her looks, all drove him mad. Moving closer, he grasped her hands. “Olivia, we must talk.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Yes, my lord, it was a lovely dinner party, was it not?” She directed her comments to her lap.

Jason put his finger under her chin and lifted her head. “It was lovely, and you know that is not what I wish to speak of.”

He glanced away and then and cleared his throat. “We got off to a very bad start.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Is that how you define it, my lord?”

“All right. Let me say that again. I acted like a jackass at our wedding, and I want to make up for it.” He bent his head to study her. “Please, Olivia, let us start again.”

Her eyes flashed with anger. “There is nothing to start, you have requested an annulment, and I have signed the notification papers.”

“Forget the annulment, Olivia. I said there will not be one and that is the end of it.”

She huffed her opinion, and looked out the window at the black night.

Jason studied her in the darkness of the carriage. Taken separately, her features were not remarkable, but together they portrayed an intelligent, beautiful woman. With a stubborn chin. He never doubted in a contest of wills who would win, and the upcoming clashes excited him. As a matter of law, he could demand his husbandly rights. But when he brought Olivia to his bed, it would be with her consent and desire.

The thought of her complete surrender, of her tresses flowing over them like a silk curtain as she rode him and called out his name at her release brought a sweat to his brow, and an uncomfortable tightness in his breeches. He shifted as the carriage drew up to the Lansdowne House and the driver jumped down.

“Just give us a minute.” Jason reached to close the door the driver had opened. He turned to Olivia.

“Excuse me, my lord, it grows late, and I am tired.” The wariness in Olivia’s eyes brought him no pleasure. He didn’t want her afraid of him.

Relaxing his rigid stance, he gently moved her head toward him and cupped her face in his hands. “We didn’t have a proper kiss at our wedding.”

“I do seem to remember you missing my face by several inches,” she whispered.

He smiled and lowered his head. He lightly touched her lips with his, and then brushed them back and forth. When she didn’t resist, he pressed harder, coaxing her lips open with his tongue. She gasped and he slid in, his tongue exploring all the recesses of her mouth, leaving him no doubt she had never been kissed like this. He eased her body closer, feeling her breasts crushed up against his chest. She smelled of lavender and aroused woman, and he couldn’t get enough. Her mouth was nectar he sipped from, could become addicted to.

His lips left hers to nibble on her earlobe “I want you, Olivia,” he said in a soft voice, “as my wife, in my bed.”

“No, my lord, I have other plans.” She pushed him back, her voice shaking. Her chest rose and fell as she took in great gulps of air. “Please escort me to the door.” She continued to stare at him, her breathing erratic.

Jaw clenched, he climbed from the coach and assisted her down. Together they walked silently to the door. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he turned her to him. “Give me a chance, Olivia. I know I made a terrible first impression, but I want the opportunity to set things right.”

She shook her head briefly, and turned from him to enter the house, softly closing the door. Jason stared at the spot where she’d just stood, before striding to the carriage, his lips in a grim line as he directed the driver to take him home.

…

Olivia sighed deeply, then wearily climbed the stairs. She touched her mouth where she could still feel the pressure of Jason’s lips. Her body hadn’t yet calmed from the kiss. The only sensible thing to do was to avoid him until the end of the Season. Her brain might be determined to ignore his touch, but her body didn’t seem to agree. She must teach it to behave itself.

Having told her lady’s maid not to wait up, she quickly changed into her night rail and climbed into bed. She lay on her back, arms crossed over her chest. Perhaps Jason’s kiss had rattled her more than she’d realized. Drat the man for touching something in her she tried to deny. The attraction she felt tied her in knots. Aside from his behavior toward her on their wedding day, he was arrogant, controlling, and much too used to having his own way with any woman he crooked his finger at. Once he had his fill of her, he would turn his eye toward the next woman who threw him a smoldering glance over a painted fan.

She’d seen enough of
ton
marriages to know Jason’s expectations. And hadn’t he already abandoned her to the country once? No, her decision to return to Italy and spend her life with music was for the best. If she gave her heart to Lord Coventry, he would undoubtedly hand it back to her in shreds.

Lost in a book about Queen Elizabeth, Olivia didn’t hear the butler come into the room until Staunton cleared his throat. “Excuse me, my lady.”

She turned and smiled.

He held a large arrangement of flowers, the blooms almost hiding his face from her view.

“These have arrived for you.”

Heat rose to her cheeks. “Oh my, they’re lovely, aren’t they?”

“Indeed they are, my lady. Where shall I put them?”

Elizabeth came into the room and her hand flew to cover her mouth. “Oh, how beautiful, are they yours?” She eyed Olivia.

“Yes, they just came. I was wondering where to put them.”

Elizabeth glanced around the room. “I think right on that little table by the window, Staunton. They would look lovely there.” Resting her hands over her heart, she asked, “Which one of your many admirers sent them?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t looked at the card yet.” Olivia followed the butler and removed the small card attached to the vase. She examined it and shook her head slightly. Looking up at Elizabeth, she read, “With warmest regards, J.” She let out a sigh, and turned to gaze out the window, worrying the small card in her hands.

“Apparently Lord Coventry is not one to give up so easily.” Elizabeth slipped the card from Olivia’s hand and studied it.

“What am I to do? I don’t want to encourage him. How am I going to convince his lordship that my future isn’t here?”

Elizabeth led her over to the settee and grasped her hand. “Are you absolutely certain about that, Olivia? I know how upsetting his earlier behavior was to you, but why can’t you give Lord Coventry another chance?” She put her hand up, “No. Before you say anything, hear me out.”

She paused, apparently gathering her thoughts. “Did I ever tell you how Grif and I came to be married?”

Olivia raised her eyebrows and waited patiently.

“I thought myself madly in love with Viscount Hood.” She rolled her eyes toward the heavens. “Oh, Olivia, he was so handsome. Tall, blond hair, deep green eyes; just looking at him made my heart pound. He was very attentive and charming.”

Olivia watched her friend closely. “He sounds wonderful. So what happened?”

Elizabeth closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to them. “My parents were determined that I should marry Grif. He was the son of one of Father’s closest friends, but I was young and foolish and wanted my handsome knight. Grif continued to court me, much to my parent’s delight. I can’t say I snubbed him, but it was apparent to him my esteem was for Lord Hood.” She shook her head as she twirled the diamond studded wedding ring on her finger. “Then one day I read an announcement of Lord Hood’s betrothal in the newspaper. It seemed my knight in shining armor needed to marry an heiress, and although I had an acceptable dowry, it was not nearly enough to clear up his gambling debts and continue to support his mistress.”

“Oh, no!” Olivia’s hand flew to her mouth.

“Yes, dear. He intended to continue his liaison with his mistress, gambling, and whatnot after he married.” She reflected for a moment. “Grif was there to tend my broken heart. All of a sudden that
not tall enough, not handsome enough,
and
not sophisticated enough
man became my true knight in shining armor.” She smiled softly and put her hand on her belly. “And marrying him was the best thing I ever did in my whole life.”

Olivia discreetly dabbed at her eyes with her knuckle. “That is a beautiful story. It’s so obvious Grif adores you. You truly have a wonderful marriage.”

Elizabeth leaned forward and laced her fingers with Olivia’s. “That’s my point, dearest. If I’d had my way, I would have thrown away a wonderful marriage and ended up with a scoundrel.”

“I understand, truly I do.” Olivia sighed and sat back. “But in my story
Lord Coventry
is the scoundrel.”

“You met Coventry under the worst possible circumstances. The man Grif and I have known for years, is kind, thoughtful, and considerate. You must understand that his father attempted to dominate him all his life. And Jason fought against him the entire time. It wasn’t you he rejected, it was his father. You see how taken he was with you when he didn’t know who you were.”

Olivia blew out a huge breath. “I don’t know. I really feel we would never suit. He loves society, gambling, all the parties and balls. I’m already tired of it all. I just want a quiet life, to play my music and live simply.”

“You may be surprised to find out what he does and doesn’t want. That’s why I say give him a chance.” Elizabeth stood. “I’m going to have a nap before dinner. Grif and I are going to a poetry reading tonight at Sir Furlong’s home. He has the most interesting readers. You are more than welcome to come along.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth, but I think I will just stay at home this evening. I feel a bit worn out and I think a book and a cup of chocolate by the fire in my room will be just the thing.”

Rose pulled the drapes open and the sunlight poured in, chasing away the shadows of the night. “Good morning, my lady.”

“Good morning, Rose,” Olivia mumbled.

“I have yer chocolate here for you.” The maid bustled to the bed, placing the tray across Olivia’s lap. “Oh, and there’s a message for you too, mum.” She handed Olivia a piece of cream colored vellum with the distinct bold strokes of Lord Coventry’s handwriting.

I would be honored to escort you to the theater this evening. If acceptable to your ladyship, I would arrive at Lansdowne House at seven o’clock for an eight o’clock performance.

Lord and Lady Newbury will be attending as well.

Your Servant,

J

Hmm. She tapped the card against her lips.

The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Jason. It was clever of him to mention the Newburys. Leaning back against the pillow she stared out the window at the beautiful early summer day.

Should she give him another chance as Elizabeth suggested, and Jason seemed so desperate to have? She still didn’t trust him. In addition to the conversation she’d overheard about Jason and Lady Sheridan, various other comments made within her hearing convinced her that Lord Coventry had a well-deserved reputation as a rake. His conquests were discussed to the extent that she didn’t think him capable of having time to do anything else. And he certainly would not embrace fidelity. That was one thing she held dear. Her parents had been devoted to each other and never did she learn of any indiscretions on either of their parts.

She might be making a mistake, but she scribbled an acceptance and rang for Rose to have it delivered.

…

Jason shuffled through the mail and dictated correspondence to his secretary, Clifton. Every once in a while he would catch himself drifting off, thinking about his invitation to Olivia. A soft cough from Clifton would get him back on track.

“My lord, there are several missives here from Dakin, your steward at Coventry. He insists there are problems only you can attend to and strongly requests you make a visit in the near future.”

Jason dragged his hand down his face. “Yes, I’m aware of some of the problems, and I have been remiss in not attending to them.” His constant thoughts of Olivia and his pursuit of the woman consumed a great deal of his time. Slowly a smile spread across his face. Why not plan a trip to Coventry, and convince Olivia she needed to go as well? She could visit the tenants and consult with the staff. And she would be alone with him at night. Just the image of her spread across his bed, naked and wanting, tightened his groin. He shifted in his chair, and forced himself to focus on Clifton.

“Send a letter to Dakin that I will arrive within the week.”

Clifton began writing furiously as Barton entered the room. “My lord, a missive has just come for you.”

Jason accepted the paper and quickly scanned the note. Brief and to the point, Olivia wrote:

“I will be pleased to attend the theater with you this evening.

Lady Olivia.”

He read it over again and grinned. Very formal, just what he would have expected from his wife. She, of course, was trying to hold him at arm’s length, but he had other plans for the lovely Lady Coventry. He glanced at the clock and wished the hours away. Tonight he would start his campaign in truth.

Jason dressed in a well-fitting black evening jacket with a white-on-white waistcoat. His shining dress shoes peeked out from under snug black cloth trousers. He finally waved Grady away when his man kept fussing with his cravat. Anxious to be on his way, he pulled on his gloves and nodded at Barton as he opened the door.

About fifteen minutes later he leaned against the desk in Grif’s library, enjoying a brandy with his host when Olivia swept into the room. If she was indeed attempting to discourage him, she certainly chose the wrong ensemble. The simple rose silk garment gathered under her breasts with a band of deeper rose velvet secured underneath the part of her where he desperately wanted to place his lips. The neckline was just low enough to show off her creamy skin, but not as daring as the gown Lord Fairfax had drooled onto at the Cummings dinner party.

Above long white satin gloves, a few gold bracelets encircled her arms, matching the necklace gracefully adorning her throat. Her rich, dark curls had been pulled into a knot at the top of her head, with tendrils floating from her temples. If there was air in his lungs, Jason had no idea how to access it.