To Love A Lord of London (Wardington Park; Raptures of Royalty) (7 page)

A
my’s heart
was racing as she held onto the earl’s gloved hand. As he spoke, she tried to pay attention, but her mind raced with thoughts of Lord Nathaniel. Her entrance to the party had been more warming than she’d expected, and she’d almost wanted to back out of the entire event before her arrival.

D
uring the ride over
, her aunt had done nothing but go on and on about Amy’s new wardrobe and how she’d managed to get an entire trestle of clothing from a specialty booth in a manner of days when the Duchess Hensman herself had struggled to get the exclusive designer to make her more than two frocks a year. She’d also been upset that her husband had bothered to buy Amy anything while not getting Christa a single new item—new being something that hadn’t been purchased just last month! Christa had an abundance of clothing, which was a fact that the duke pointed out, yet still, as Amy watched him, she wondered why the duke didn’t come right out and say that it was Wardington who’d arranged Amy’s wardrobe. No doubt it would have given the duchess something else to talk about besides Amy’s lower percentage.

“
Y
ou’ve got
the girl going around looking like something she’s not,” Sally Eaton had said.

The duke, who’d been staring out his window, had turned to her. “And exactly what is it that she is?” The question had been whispered in a soft voice, but the threat was there.

The duchess fluffed the skirt of her gown and looked away from his dark eyes. “Well, since you’ve forbidden me to mention anything about the people who birthed her—”

“And you’ll do well to remember that, dear wife,” he warned. “And need I remind you why?”

The duchess swallowed, and Amy wished she’d say yes, but since her arrival, she’d wondered why the gossips didn’t know the truth yet, especially when Sally Eaton lived to gossip.

The duke continued, revealing the truth of it all. “The moment her secret is out, you and your daughter will be taken to a small cottage in the country to live out the remainder of your days alone. Do not embarrass me.” It was the first time he’d said the words in front of Amy, and she finally understood.

T
he duchess cut
her eyes at her husband, her chest rising and falling quickly, fueled by both fear and embarrassment… and hate. It wasn’t enough that he spent time with half the women in London, but now he’d begun to threaten the small things that made her happy. London. Parties. Her friends of the peerage. All of it gone if she were to reveal Amy’s true identity.

Christa had stared out of the window on the opposite side of the carriage, not breathing a word.
Your daughter.
The words hung in the air, filling the space. The disappointment that Christa wasn’t a boy couldn’t be more evident.

The entire ride had been a disaster, ruining Amy’s mood about the white dress she wore. It was the first fine thing she’d ever had and now it was tainted with scorn. She’d never wished for Levi’s presence more than she did at that very moment. Levi had always been the middleman between Amy’s family and the duke. Amy had never seen her uncle growing up. Their entire relationship had been through Levi, a boy who’d been Hensman’s right hand since he could walk.

O
nce they’d arrived
to the party, Amy had been able to shake off some of the disappointment, as though she could leave it in the carriage. But when her uncle and his wife had been announced at the door, everything had changed.

Amy had found herself surrounded by people she’d never met but people who apparently knew about her. It had been Wardington’s doing. He’d told her that once the right people accepted her, all would be well—and he was right. Amy had never seen so many smiles, and then the Dowager Cartridge had approached—the leader of them all, who also happened to be a very beautiful woman. Her hair was a dark blonde, her skin plump despite her age, and her dark blue eyes twinkled, like some mythical creature out of an adventure novel.

She’d given Amy a hug as though they were old friends. As though she actually loved her, and then she called her beautiful. Amy had never been so moved, and the smile that touched her lips had become real. There was something about the dowager that had made Amy feel more welcome than she had in years.

And then Nathaniel had approached, all dark and handsome, holding her gaze as though she were the last woman on Earth. Exactly how Wardington had predicted it. He’d been spellbound, and Amy had felt the first rush of power, remembering Wardington’s instructions in the letter.

L
isten to everything I say
, and do exactly as I tell you. If you do this, you will not fail… When planning to capture a man’s attention, many women will assume silence is best. Ignore that for the time being. The next assumption is to ignore the male, believing that he will chase you. That too is unlikely… which leads us to the truth of it all. When you see Nathaniel, this is what you will do.

“Miss Ott. It’s so good to see you again.” His voice was just as deep and rich as she remembered… reminding her of their kiss… reminding her of his words right after it.

She stayed focused. The corners of her lips lifted, “You as well, my lord.”

W
hen you speak to Nathaniel
, look into his eyes and stare at him as though he were the only man in the room.

“This must be your first event of the season.” His green eyes danced. “I didn’t see you at any others.”

Witty reply. Witty reply. “Looking for me, were you?” Close one.

He grinned, “I would not have missed you had you been present.”

Listen to his words and respond appropriately… then give him something that makes him feel masculine.

“Nor I you, my lord.”

All men love to feel appreciated. Adored. And right when you make them feel like the king of the world...

“I’d be delighted if I could have your first dance.”

“I’m sorry. My first dance has already been promised to another.”

C
ut him off
.

And then she’d turned away from those piercing eyes. It had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She hoped Nathaniel hadn’t seen the color that touched her face when Earl Cartridge had come to take her for their dance, which had been another thing arranged by the duke. When she’d seen the stunned look on his face, she’d known she’d done well. She’d succeeded.

She went out onto the floor, listening to the earl talk, actually enjoying their conversation, all the while reminding herself of the duke’s final words.

And don’t look back. Never look back. Wait for him to come for you, for he will come for you. But never look back, for in looking back, you relinquish your power.

The song seemed to go on forever and by accident, the earl had said something about Nathaniel, which had caused her to look at him. Their gazes had locked. She tripped. The earl caught her, but it did not matter. She’d seen the smile that touched Nathaniel’s lips and immediately knew she was doomed.

“
L
ord Cartridge
!” Sally called. “You’ve such grace when you dance.”

The earl tipped his head to her and Christa. “Thank you, Duchess Hensman. Though, I believe my grace had more to do with my partner than anything else.”

Amy flushed at the compliment. Such lies.

Sally looked stricken then recovered. “Well, my daughter, Lady Christa, has been dancing much longer than Miss Ott. Were you to ask her, I’m sure we’d find ourselves in agreement.”

Amy tried not to frown.

“Duchess Hensman.”

Amy stilled at the voice. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she turned and looked up into Nathaniel’s eyes before he turned back to her aunt. “Have you seen the Greece collection?”

Sally fluttered her eyes, obviously confused by the lord’s sudden appearance. “Why, no, my lord. I have not.”

Earl Cartridge broke in, cutting his blue eyes at Nathaniel. “I was just about to ask if she and Miss Ott would like a tour of my mother’s latest attraction.”

Sally huffed, “And my daughter.”

“Of course,” both men said at the same time.

Sally looked between the men.

Christa looked bored, and Amy knew her mind was still back in the carriage.

Nathaniel spoke then, “Why don’t we all go.”

“Splendid idea,” the earl said, while extending his arms to both Sally and Amy.

Amy looked at the arm and then to Nathaniel, saw how anger had turned his eyes a darker green, and then took the earl’s arm.

Christa was left with Nathaniel, and soon the group was off.

L
eaving
the majority of the party, they found themselves walking down a well-lit hall, which featured paintings from Athens. The music too changed the further they went down the hall. The English symphony switched to harps and flutes, transporting the visitors to a time and land far away. They followed the tranquil sounds until they got to the prize.

A large stateroom had been set out like a museum, featuring paintings, miniature architectural replicas, and backdrops with actors all giving the impression of Ancient Greece. Even the walls had been covered with paper that made one forget they were at a party in London.

A
my closed
her eyes and smiled at the smell of olives. It was magical.

They all walked over to the first exhibit, which showed a woman posing in her Grecian robes, a dog at her side.

“She is Artemis,” the earl whispered in her ear.

Amy smiled, “I know.”

H
e frowned
, obviously caught off guard. “How can you tell?”

She pointed to the dog, “She’s the goddess of the hunt.” She then pointed toward the sickness and tragedy displayed in the backdrop behind her, “She’s also the goddess of plague.”

“And a virgin.” Came the reply from behind them.

Amy turned to Nathaniel and couldn’t help but to grin. “You would know that fact, my lord.”

Nathaniel stood alone while Christa and her mother turned to look at another painting.

The earl laughed. The sound of it was heavy and masculine. “It’s probably the only fact he does know about the goddess.”

Nathaniel crossed his arms. “I know a little more, my lord… Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”

Amy’s smile brightened.

The earl asked, “And where is that from?”

Amy answered while staring into Nathaniel’s eyes, “The Bible.”

The earl looked between them in disbelief. “The Bible?” he snorted. “No. Truly?”

C
hrista popped up then
, coming to stand by the earl. “My lord?” she asked him. “I was wondering about a statue over there.” She pointed to the other side of the room. “Do you know anything about it?” Her pale blue eyes stared at him intensely.

The earl lifted a brow and then took her hand into his arm. “I’d be delighted to show it to you, my lady.” And then they walked away.

Amy was surprised as she watched Sally follow behind them, leaving her and Nathaniel alone—but not truly alone, since they were indeed in a room scattered with people here and there, but still… For the first time, Amy noticed just how dim and glowing the candle lights were and how soft the harp music played.

N
athaniel walked
over and extended his arm to her. “Shall we take a stroll around the room?”

A few weeks ago, the answer would have been no. But, when she thought of everything Wardington had told her, she knew that this time alone was important were she ever to gain Nathaniel’s heart. She took his arm and asked as they moved, “You read The Bible, my lord?”

He grinned, “What is The Bible, but a book full of the best in love and tragic tales?”

She thought of that for a moment, “I do suppose the Bible does supply its own array of art.”

“But, I know you read it for other reasons.”

She looked at him, “I do. How’d you know?”

They approached a corner of the room that was blocked by a backdrop for another scene, hiding from the eyes of everyone else. Nathaniel’s hands reached for Amy’s and took hold of her gloved fingers.

Amy’s heart raced as his long fingers travelled up her hands until they came to the edge of her glove. Then he dipped a finger in and brought out her chain. She frowned and looked up into his green eyes. “How’d—”

“
I
noticed
it when you were pointing at the Artemis backdrop. Why do you hide it?”

“It’s personal,” she said, taking her hand back.

His look hardened, “Was it a gift from a lover?”

She stayed herself from rolling her eyes. She tried to come up with an appropriate reply, but simply came up with, “No.”

He stared at her, as if not believing her words.

Amy sighed. “My father gave it to me before he died.”

His eyes softened. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded but said nothing. The pain of losing the person closest to her still hurt.

“Was it he who introduced you to reading plays?”

She shook her head, her pulse climbing again. They were getting to a topic that was best avoided. “My… My mother did.”

They were silent for a moment, then Nathaniel changed the subject, which she was grateful for. She was especially grateful for what the change of topic led to. “They're showing
Cain
this week.”
Cain
was a play written by Lord Byron, a
Paradise Lost
version of Adam, Eve, and the fall of mankind.

W
ere his words an invitation
? Amy pulled her fan and began to wave it furiously. “I heard. I plan to go.”

“Plan to go with me.”

She smiled. It had been an invitation. “And if I’d already been asked?”

Nathaniel went still. “Refuse them. Come with me.”

“They asked me first.” There was no one else.

“I asked you first.”

She laughed, “Did not.”

His eyes were serious. “Did to. Weeks ago. Don’t you remember?”

Amy played daft, even though her fan began to move quicker.

He smiled and grabbed her wrist, stopping the movement of her fan. His hand felt warm around her skin even through the glove he wore. When he spoke, there was danger laced in his voice. “Shall I remind you?” The words a deadly promise. Passion. Heat. Ruin.

She broke her wrist from his hold, needing the fan more than ever. “No, I believe I remember now.”

“I would like to call on you tomorrow.”

A call?

Her eyes went wide as she stared up at him, her chest rising and falling. She swallowed and licked her dry lips.

“Pay call?“

H
is eyes were serious
.

She frowned. Wardington had told her this would happen much later. Nathaniel couldn’t be ready for what she believed he was asking. First would be to visit her at her home. The next step would be courting. Surely, he was not ready for that. Not when he’d refused to entertain the thought for so long. “Why?”

He lifted a brow, “Why?” He laughed. “This is not something I’ve ever done before. Now you wish to know why?”

She nodded.

He moved closer and lowered his voice, “I thought it would be obvious…”

Amy shivered and took a step back. “I will not be your mistress.”

He stared at her and then took a step toward her again. “I have no intention of asking that of you again.” And then he leaned forward and placed a kiss by her ear.

A
my’s eyes
fluttered closed as she fought not to lean into his touch. “No, you won’t ask… You’ll simply lead me into a position where I’ll have no other choice. Compromise me for all others.” She took a step away from him and met his emotionless eyes.

“I could make you happy.” A lone finger travelled down her cheek.

No. He couldn’t. She’d been right, and the reality of it hurt. He wouldn’t change. Was she not good enough to be his wife? She closed her eyes and drew strength from somewhere deep within herself. When she opened her eyes, she stood firm. “I think we’ve spent enough time alone tonight, my lord.”

Then she turned and left him standing there, practically racing for the ballroom. If anything was certain it was that the game she played was indeed dangerous… and with a worthy opponent. Hopefully, it would all be worth it.