aSit down,a he said, waving the gun toward a settee.
They sat, the d.u.c.h.ess between them.
She saw then as he walked toward them that he was in pain and that he wasnat standing upright. His ribs, she thought. She said aloud, aYou should be in bed, Marcus. Surely this isnat good for your ribs.a He laughed, then stopped immediately, sucking in his breath at the sharp pain it brought him.
aMy mother,a he said. aIs that why youare here, d.u.c.h.ess? To minister to my wounds? To coo at me?a She just stared at him, unmoving. aLike Lisette?a He grinned. aSo Spears told you of my ministering angel? Ah, she just removed herself not very long ago, Spears.a aBut Ia"a aI know. You doubtless put something in that tea you gave me to drink. But you see, I wasnat thirsty. What I wanted was Lisette, again.a aPlease, my lord.a Marcus waved the gun to silence his valet. He stared hard at the d.u.c.h.ess. aNo, I canat imagine you ever cooing, even to your b.l.o.o.d.y roses. But you felt you had to come in the middle of the night to care for me? You feared I wouldnat be pleased to see you and thus toss you out if you came in the light of day? You could only come when I was drugged senseless by my utterly loyal valet?a aI came for another reason, Marcus. I will tell you if only you will sit down before you fall down. Please, Marcus.a aI donat want to sit down.a She rose and walked to him, her eyes on his face, shadowed in the candle light, but she saw the haggard lines, the black eye and swollen jaw. aYouare not well, Marcus.a He just stood there, watching her walk toward him. aStop right there, d.u.c.h.ess,a he said pleasantly. He reached out his left hand and gently closed his fingers around her throat. aTell me, do I inherit your fifty thousand pounds if you stuff it?a aI believe so, though I donat think my father even considered that. Perhaps it would go to the Americans, I donat know. I will write to Mr. Wicks.a aI could simply strangle you on speculation.a aI donat believe that either Spears or Badger would allow you to do it, Marcus.a aThey donat know you as well as I do. If they did, they would cheer my actions.a aActually, you donat know me at all.a He shrugged, wincing. Any movement seemed to bring renewed pain to the continuous dull throbbing in his ribs. aActually, I donat care. Now, why are the three of you skulking about in my house? The instant has come and I am frankly tired of all this. Tell me now.a At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the front door, a sly knock, a surrept.i.tious knock. Marcus, surprised and taken off guard, turned toward the sound. Both Spears and Badger were on him in an instant. He struggled, but he was weak and he hurt and the two of them bore him to the carpet quickly enough. Spears very gently removed the gun from his right hand.
aMy lord,a he said gently. aI fear you must drink a bit of tea now. All right?a aYouare fired, Spears.a Badger said quietly, ad.u.c.h.ess, it is Monsieur Junot. Let him in.a The following ten minutes were fraught with silence so thick she thought she would choke on it. Spears and Badger had to pry open Marcusas mouth. He struggled to the point she knew he was hurting himself. Yet still he fought them. Finally they managed to pour a goodly amount of tea laced with laudanum down his throat. Monsieur Junot stood over them, holding a candle, saying not a single blessed thing.
He appeared to be enjoying himself.
Marcus fell back. She saw that he was fighting the drug, but he was losing. She hated this, but she knew it was no time to have an attack of scruples. Nothing had changed. True, he had complicated things, made all of them jumpy and feel guilty, but head succ.u.mbed in the end. There was no other way to save him, the d.a.m.ned stubborn sod.
She gently touched her fingertips to his swollen jaw. aIt will be all right, Marcus. I promise you. Donat worry, just lie still, please.a He said in a slurred voice, aI will kill you, d.u.c.h.ess.a aPerhaps you will want to, but you wonat.a aI donat know what youare doing, but I will kill you.a Monsieur Junot approached. aIs he ready for the ceremony?a Spears looked into the earlas vague eyes, saw that he was more compliant than head been but a moment before, and said, aIn two more minutes.a In four more minutes, Monsieur Junot said in a jovial voice, aIt is done, my lady. You are now the countess of Chase. Fancy how he said I do when Mr. Spears gently nudged him. Now, he will have to write his name on the certificate.a Spears guided the earlas hand, but he did write his name and it was legible and strong. She signed her own beside his. Then she rose and dusted off her cloak. She took a slender gold band from her pocket and slipped it over the knuckle of her third finger. aGood,a she said, and smiled at all of them in turn. aIt is done.a aYes,a Badger said, rubbing his hands together. aNo more Dispossessed Earl.a aI wonder,a Spears said, aif his lordship will remember that he dismissed me when he awakens.a Monsieur Junot laughed. aThis is quite the most interesting night I have spent since my house was very nearly sh.e.l.led by Russian cannon two months ago.a Marcus opened one eye. He saw soft white hangings overhead. That couldnat be right. Even if he were in Lisetteas bedchamber, there were no hangings over her bed. There was a huge mirror.
He slowly opened the other eye. Bright sunlight poured through a wide window to his left. It was morning sunlight, late morning, if he wasnat mistaken. He was wearing his dressing gown, he knew that, and it was odd, for he wore nothing at all to bed.
He sat up, shaking his head, clearing the odd muzziness from his brain. He was in a ladyas bedchamber. The furnishings were all fragile-looking and gold and pale green, everything looked soft and vague. It was not a manas room.
He stilled, hearing footsteps outside the door opposite the bed. He watched as the door slowly opened.
The d.u.c.h.ess came in, carrying a tray on her arms. She turned and gently closed the door with her foot.
aYou,a he said. aSo it wasnat a dream. You came to my house last night, in the middle of the night, and you were up to no good. What was the no good?a aGood morning, Marcus. Iave brought you breakfast.a aSpears and Badger were with you. I remember now, there was a knock at the door and those two b.l.o.o.d.y b.a.s.t.a.r.ds knocked me down and took the gun. Thena"a He paused, his brow furrowed, trying to remember. aYou drugged me.a aYes, but it was necessary. Youare a stubborn man, Marcus.a He fidgeted and she said kindly, as would a nanny to her two-year-old charge, aCan I a.s.sist you?a aIf you donat leave this instant, d.u.c.h.ess, I will relieve myself in front of you. Men have no sensibilities, not one speck of modesty.a She didnat move, just stared at him, and he threw back the covers and swung his black hairy legs over the side of the bed. She made no sound, just turned about, set his tray on a table, and left the bedchamber.
When she returned, he was seated at the small table eating the breakfast shead brought him. The brioches were delicious, warm and flaky, the coffee hot and strong. His dressing gown was securely fastened around his waist.
aHow do your ribs feel?a He grunted and drank more coffee.
He looked like a brigand with his black eye, the heavy beard stubble, his tousled hair, and the bruises along his jaw.
He continued to eat and drink. He paid her no more mind.
She seated herself opposite him and poured herself a cup of coffee from the lovely Meissen pot.
He said then, in a voice she recognized as the eye of the storm, aI will kill you, d.u.c.h.ess. After breakfast.a aBut you donat yet know why or if you would still want to.a aIall want to. It doesnat matter, ita"a aIam your wife.a She watched his hand holding a b.u.t.ter knife become perfectly still. He had a brioche halfway to his mouth. It remained halfway. He shook his head, then winced from the pain it brought him in his ribs. He looked over at her, then shook his head again.
He said very politely, aI beg your pardon?a aIam your wife. Weare married.a Still he couldnat take it in, he couldnat make the words take on sense. She thrust out her hand toward him. He stared at it, bewildered, then watched her waggle her third finger.
He saw the plain gold band.
He said, still staring at that finger with its ring, aYou said that youare my wife?a aYes, Marcus. I can explain everything if you will allow me to.a aOh yes, I will allow that. Then I will kill you.a aWe drugged you. I insisted because I knew you would never agree. Youare much too proud, too stubborn. You would have never listened to reason.a aSpears a.s.sisted you.a aYes, as did Badger. I hope you wonat blame either of them. They believed strongly in what we did. They didnat want to see you lose your inheritance because ofa"a aYes, d.u.c.h.ess? Because of?a aBecause youare such a stubborn sod. And because you somehow imagine that this punishes my father, who is dead and doesnat know a thing. And because you dislike me so very much.a aI see. So first, Spears tried to drug me, but he didnat know that I wanted s.e.x with Lisette more than his lukewarm tea, and didnat drink it. Thus I heard the intruders break into my lodgings. I should probably have shot all of you.a aWe had only until June sixteenth, Marcus. Otherwise the American Wyndhams would have inherited everything. I couldnat allow that to happen. Surely you must see that.a aMay I ask how long youave been planning this?a aSince the morning you ran away.a aI didnat run away. I left an intolerable situation.a He stopped, leaning back in his chair. He looked at his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the tabletop. aI didnat want to ever see Chase Park again, you know.a aYou donat have to, but you own it. You now have no more worries. There will be no more allowances, no asking Mr. Wicks for permission to do this or to do that. Everything is in your control now, Marcus. Everything.a aAnd the only price to pay is having you for my wife.a Head said it calmly, quietly, but she felt herself stiffen nonetheless. There would be more, she could practically hear the words forming on his tongue. She didnat have long to wait after she said, aI hope, I pray, that having me as your wife isnat too heinous a prospect.a It was as if she were purposefully asking for insult, she thought, and wondered what he would say. He said, aIt is a prospect that I am still unable to credit. Yesterday, I was a single man with his very charming mistress, content with his two-hundred-pound quarterly allowance. This morning, I awaken to find myself back in the earlas boots. I had thrown those boots away, d.u.c.h.ess. I didnat want them back.a aThen why did you fight the man who called you the Dispossessed Earl?a He roared to his feet, nearly toppling the table. One coffee cup fell to its side. She watched the coffee drip onto the table and run in a thin quick line to the edge and then to the floor.
aHow the h.e.l.l do you know about that, d.a.m.n you? Ah, it was that b.l.o.o.d.y Spears! Iall kill him after Iave seen to you. Good G.o.d, have all of you been planning this?a His face was white, his hands tight fists. If his ribs hurt, she doubted he felt it. He was finally furious. He was finally over the edge. Very slowly, she rose to face him. She splayed her fingers on the table. aMarcus, you donat have to keep me as a wife. Indeed, I had intended to go back to London at the end of the week to spare you the sight of me. What I wanted to happen has happened. Everything is as it should have been. Surely you can forgive me, or at least forget me without too much anger.a aYou d.a.m.ned sacrificed female goat! I wonat have it, d.u.c.h.ess. You have tricked me, manipulated my valet, drugged me, all to give me back what I didnat want. Donat you remember what I told Mr. Wicks? I donat want it, none of it. That d.a.m.ned pederast, Trevor, will become the next earl.a He paused and rubbed his fingers over his jaw. aWell, that can still happen, canat it? My thinking processes arenat quite sharpened yet this morning, doubtless because of the dose of laudanum you forced down my throat.
aBut Iam thinking now. Yes, Trevor could easily be the next earl. After all, I would have to force myself to bed you, probably many times, to get you with child. And what if it were a girl you birthed? Then I would have to force myself to take you again and again for the male child.a He stopped again this time because he saw that her face was perfectly white. But it didnat matter. He didnat care. aTo bring myself to seek out your bed would require more than I have, d.u.c.h.ess. It is true what I said to Mr. Wicks. Whispering love words to a b.l.o.o.d.y inert woman would shrivel me into oblivion. Is your flesh as cold as you are, d.u.c.h.ess? Would you perhaps sob softly whilst I had my filthy way with you? No answer. Well, what did I expect? How did you bring yourself to say your vows during our eminently forgettable marriage ceremony? Yes, just look at you, all tight and stiff and cold.
aI would have to lay Lisette there beside you so that I could look at her while I took you, hear her laugh and moan and scream so that I could force myself to even touch you.a He was doing it again, he thought vaguely, hurling insults at her again, insults that had to cut deep. But this time shead done it, shead gone too fara"drugged him for G.o.das sakea"and he refused to take them back or apologize. Besides, it was possible that what he said was true.
Oddly, although she knew intense pain at his words, she felt no anger. She said then over his harsh breathing, aYou donat know that, Marcus.a aDonat know what, curse you?a aIf you would need your mistress there to stimulate you.a He shook his head, his right hand lightly stroking over his ribs. But the pain dulled, oh yes, dulled to practically nothing when he looked at her perfidious face again. aI donat believe this, any of it. I will spend the day determining if I wish to strangle you. Send me Spears. I have a meeting with Wellington and have no wish to miss it.a She merely nodded and left him.
10.
HOTEL BEAUVAU, RUE ROYALE.
BADGER LOOKED CLOSELY at her, not saying anything for the longest time, waiting for her to speak, but, of course, she didnat. She was the most self-contained individual head ever met in his life. Head always believed her inviolatea"thatas what her mother had always saida"but now he wasnat so sure. The thought of her with Marcus Wyndham, the thought of that man as her husband, a man who was outrageous in his speech, who said, in fact, anything it pleased him to say, who gave way to rage and anger with the speed and precision of a battlefield surgeon, worried him profoundly. But then the young earl got over it, and cleanly, realizing of course that head strewn insults and hurtful words in his wake, but not knowing the power of them. Badger shook his head and said finally, ad.u.c.h.ess, I heard him yelling.a aOh yes, his yelling. He is quite good at it, but for the most part, he was fairly quiet. Then he saw me again when he was on the point of leaving.a She drew in her breath. Shead meant to stay out of his way once shead left him to his breakfast, but she was worried about his injuries, and thus had returned to his bedchamber. Her hand was raised to knock on the door just as head opened it. He looked like a banged-up demon, she thought, with his black eye, the swelling in his jaw.
aYouare a little late, d.u.c.h.ess,a head said in that sneering voice of his that made her wonder who this man was, for surely Marcus wouldnat sneer like that. aIam not naked anymore. Indeed, I am leaving this house. I a.s.sume it is yours?a aYes, I rented it before I came to Paris. You may remain here, if you like, Marcus.a aWhy? Do you mean you told my landlord that I had been shot and was no longer in Paris? Did that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Spears bring all my clothes over here?a aI donat know.a a aI donat know,a a he repeated, his voice thick with sarcasm. aThis was all your plan, wasnat it? What the h.e.l.l do you mean, aI donat knowa?a aIf Spears did bring all your clothes here, then donat you think youad like to remain here? Perhaps you would like to dine with me this evening?a He looked down at her from the intimidating height head attained during the past five years. She realized with a start that she came only to his jaw. aHave dinner with my wife? Thatas a novel idea. A wife, a commodity I hadnat ever considered. Well, yes, I did, didnat I, for all of five seconds when dear Mr. Wicks gave me my ultimatum. It sounded d.a.m.nable to me then and now it makes me want to puke. No, I believe I will be spending the evening with my mistress.a aI wish you wouldnat, Marcus. I ask that you come back here and let us speak about the future.a aThe future? You think you have changed everything, donat you, d.u.c.h.ess? Well, I donat know what Iam going to do, but whatever it is, it wonat include you. Good day, madam.a He stomped down the corridor, stopped, wheeled about, and shouted, aDonat wait up for me, will you. G.o.d knows, Lisette is a greedy puss, and in her bed I intend to forget you and all youave done to me.a Hurtful words, she thought. Marcus had never learned brakes for his tongue.
She now said aloud to Badger, aFor the most part, he preferred to stomp this time rather than waste his breath. Though when he does yell, the neighborhood must enjoy the drama.a She sat down in a window seat, her hands folded quietly in her lap. aI imagine that everyone in the house heard him slam out of the front door.a aYes. Did he agree to, well, anything?a She gave him a ghost of a smile. aDo you mean is he delighted that I am his wife?a aI shouldnat go that far yet with a man like the earl.a aNo you shouldnat. I believe, actually, that he informed me that he would be spending the evening and night with his mistress. You know, Badger, the one who has the pretty name and isnat, according to Spears, a harpy.a aHe wouldnat! Thatas . . . why thatasa"a aHe is quite remarkably upset with me. As for your part and Spearsas part, I believe that will blow over. I am beginning to realize that his lordship is like a short-lived typhoon. Quick to rage and quick to a smile.a Badger wasnat so sure about that, but he just shrugged, saying, aDo you believe he will return here tonight?a aI doubt it. I told him I would be leaving for London on Friday.a aWill he be willing to accept your gift to him?a She said nothing, merely turned and lifted the heavy gold brocade drapery and gazed out onto the street. aHe has no choice; at least I could do that much for him. But he doesnat appear to see it that way. He just kept saying that he didnat want the d.a.m.ned earldom.a aThat could present a problem, d.u.c.h.ess.a aOh? Whatever do you mean, Badger?a aAnnulment.a She looked puzzled, then her brow cleared. aI understand. Forgive me for being so slow. I read about it in the London Gazette, a certain Lord Havering annulled the marriage of his daughter to a Major Bradley.a aDo you know what it means, d.u.c.h.ess?a aIt means that Marcus can cancel out our marriage? That it can all be undone?a aThatas what it means, but it isnat possible if he, well, if you and he consummate your marriage.a No betraying flush rose on her cheeks. Her expression remained contained. She said only, aOh, dear. That could present a problem, couldnat it?a aAye, if his lordship thinks about it, if he realizes he can annul the marriage, both Spears and I fear he would act before he realized what he was doing. Men who feel betrayed will do stupid things. Actually, with his lordship, I should say he canat stand not to be in control. So for him this is beyond betrayal since it hits at the heart of what he sees himself to be.a aOh dear,a she said again. aYou are doubtless right, Badger. Oh dear.a She rose and shook out her skirts of pale yellow muslin. aAnother plan then. But first things first, Badger. You know where Lisette lives?a aYes,a Badger said, eyeing her closely. aHer full name is Lisette DuPlessis.a aGood,a the d.u.c.h.ess said and left the drawing room.
The narrow building set in a lovely residential neighborhood on the Rue Varenne looked inviting, the d.u.c.h.ess thought. At least it must look very inviting to Marcus, and inviting enough to Lisette since she agreed to let Marcus have her live there. Since it was early summer, the trees were thick and full, shading the street. She nodded to Badger, saw that he would argue, and repeated, aNo, you will remain here. Stand under that oak tree yon and look French.a He blinked, saw that elusive smile of hers, and stepped back to lean against the tree trunk.
A very homely young maid answered her knock. She believed I would be a gentleman, probably Marcus, the d.u.c.h.ess thought, as she nodded and held out her visiting card.
aI would like to see your mistress, please,a she said. Mistress, she thought, smiling inside, how very apt language was upon occasion.
The young woman gave a mighty frown, eyed the d.u.c.h.ess carefully, then tossed a head of remarkably fine blond hair. She left the d.u.c.h.ess standing on the doorstep.
She stepped inside a small entrance hall, closing the door behind her. The maid didnat look back. In front of her a narrow staircase rose to the second floor, then wound up to a third. She heard womenas voices speaking rapid French. She sat down on a single chair in the entrance hall and folded her hands in her lap, and waited, something she was very good at doing.
Five more minutes pa.s.sed. She heard more conversation, something about changing clothing. The d.u.c.h.ess wondered if Lisette were wearing something very alluring. She trusted Marcus wouldnat show up on the doorstep while she was here.
Lisette was more or less what she expected. She was young, quite well formed in the bosom, appeared to have a waist the size of two male fists pressed together, and didnat boast all that many inches in height. The impression was one of innocence and the knowledge of Eve, surely a potent combination. The d.u.c.h.ess then saw the wary look in her dark eyes.
aOui?a she said, coming slowly down the stairs. She was wearing a frock that didnat shout her profession, at least to the d.u.c.h.essas eye. It was a soft dark blue muslin, banded with a lighter blue ribbon beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
The d.u.c.h.ess rose and smiled and said in pa.s.sable French, aMy name is Josephina Wyndham, Lady Chase. May I speak to you for a moment?a Lisette started to speak, then shook her head. aCome into the drawing room.a The d.u.c.h.ess didnat hesitate. Only the truth would serve, and she spit it out quickly with no digressions, speaking as quickly as her French would allow, finishing finally, a . . . So you see, I must consummate my marriage with his lordship else he could annul it and then all would be lost, for him, that is. I was told that you were an honest woman, Mademoiselle DuPlessis, that you werenat out to . . . well . . . take all his money. Would you help me save him?a Lisette could only stare at the beautiful young woman sitting so calmly opposite her. aYou are truly married to him? You truly drugged him? All of this is true?a The d.u.c.h.ess nodded. aIt is true, all of it.a aI canat imagine Marcus standing for it. Mon Dieu! A woman getting the better of him. It would not be a happy thought for him. It would wound his male dignity to eternity, I think. Ah, it is glorious what you did.a This brought out a wicked smile that the d.u.c.h.ess saw before Lisette lowered her eyes. aMy Marcus, he must be truly enraged. He must be beside himself, you, a girl, outsmarting him. He is a man who must be in control. Is he even now tearing Paris apart with his bare hands?a The d.u.c.h.ess smiled, she couldnat help herself. aI imagine he would if his ribs werenat so very sore. Perhaps he will after he has healed. However, I hope that by next week he will see more reason than not, and realize that what he now has he wonat want to give up again.a aAnd what would you like me to do?a aI would like to give you ten thousand francs to change your lodging and not see Marcus again. I do not wish you to be hurt financially for your a.s.sistance in this matter, thus I willingly give you the francs so that you can find a new lodging and a new gentleman that you like.a aI see,a Lisette said, her mind racing. Ten thousand francs! It was a great deal of money, surely enough to tide her over until she had a new protector, one of her choice, one like Marcus, not one she had to settle for. She wondered if she would find another man like Marcus, a man who was an excellent lover, a man who enjoyed a womanas pleasure, a man who knew more ways to pleasure than even she, Lisette, had yet experienced. She looked over at Marcusas new wife, a young lady who really was quite lovely and quite nice, but there was such innocence about her, such an air of frankness and simplicity. Marcus would surely eat her for his breakfast. She had drugged him and married him? All to save him? It was all a very strange notion to Lisette. Then she sat back and thought about this entire strange interview. She found herself beginning to laugh. aI am sorry,a she said after a moment. aItas just that a wife coming to see a gentlemanas mistressa"it has never happened to me before. It is too much.a She wiped her eyes and smiled at the d.u.c.h.ess. aAnd you arenat jealous. If you donat approve of me, you hide it well. Donat you care anything about his lordship?a aOh yes,a the d.u.c.h.ess said, abut that isnat the point, donat you see?a aYes, perhaps I do see,a Lisette said slowly as she rose. aHis lordship will be here in three hours. That is his normal time. I have much to do if I am to be gone before he arrives.a The d.u.c.h.ess rose. She pulled a small slip of paper from her reticule. aHere is the address of a new lodging in the Faubourg Saint Honor. There are many emba.s.sies there, many gentlemen of wealth and influence. The apartment is very close to the Elyse Palace, a center of power.a Lisette walked to stand face-to-face with the d.u.c.h.ess. She said, aI have never met a lady like you before. You are too young to be as you are, so very understanding, so accepting of the fact that I have slept with the man you have married. I am fond of Marcus, but he is like a volcano. You appear to be more like Lake Como, all calm and clear, with no waves.a The d.u.c.h.ess smiled. aPerhaps. However, what is important here is that Marcus not annul our marriage. I do thank you for your help, Mademoiselle DuPlessis.a Lisette said, aNext to the Elyse Palace, you say? Excellent, just excellent.a She paused, then very gently she laid her hand on the ladyas sleeve. aMarcus is a good man. Donat let him hurt you, madame.a aBecause he is who he is, it is impossible for him not to hurt me.a With those confusing words, the d.u.c.h.ess left her husbandas mistress, her husbandas former mistress.
She left the door to the drawing room open. She heard him come in the front door, slam it and yell for Spears, then Badger, and when neither of those two very intelligent gentlemen responded, he stomped into the drawing room. He looked like a very handsome bandit in his officeras scarlet-and-white uniform, his sword strapped to his waist. Uniforms should be outlawed, she thought. It made men look too splendid. Just now Marcus looked dangerous and splendid, an unlikely combination, but it was true.
He stopped in the doorway when he saw her, seated next to the fire, a book in her hands. She was dressed charmingly, even he realized that, in a gown of gossamer yellow muslin, her beautiful black hair loosely braided and wound through with yellow ribbon on top of her head. She wore no jewelry.
Except for that plain golden band on her third finger, that d.a.m.ned wedding ring shead shoved on her own finger. He certainly hadnat done it, d.a.m.n her.
She smiled at him. aWould you care to have dinner now, Marcus? Itas very late, but Badger prepared dishes that wouldnat be ruined if you werenat here earlier, which, of course, you werenat. Or would you care to change and bathe?a Marcus stopped himself. With great difficulty, he managed to keep his mouth shut, managed to keep the furious words unsaid, at least for the moment. He strolled into the room. He pulled off his cloak and tossed it over the back of a chair. He walked to the fireplace and stretched out his hands to the flames, for it was an unseasonably cool evening for early June. It would rain later, the air was thick with moisture.
aHow are your ribs?a aYet another question, d.u.c.h.ess?a She said nothing more.
aYes, my ribs are better. There is still pulling, but I hadnat really noticed them all that much. As you know, I intended to visit my mistress this evening. But it is such a very odd thing.a She remained studiously silent. He said in a low furious voice, aCouldnat you at least flinch? Perhaps raise a flush on those pale cheeks of yours?a She said nothing.
aIt seems Lisette is gone. No one was able to tell me where. She left in the early afternoon in a very nice carriage, all her valises piled atop. Do you find that strange, d.u.c.h.ess?a aShould I believe it strange, Marcus?a aWhere did you send her, d.u.c.h.ess?a She said without hesitation, aI sent her nowhere, Marcus.a aI see,a he said. He looked down at his hands. Slowly, he unbuckled the sword from around his waist. He gently folded the leather belt, laying the sword carefully over it in a chair. Then he straightened, his back to the fire. He leaned his shoulders against the mantel. He crossed his Hessians. Spears kept them so clean he could see his face reflected in them, even after a long day. He saw that he was frowning, that he looked ready to explode. He forced all expression from his face, then said, aIt seems as well that my own lodgings are bereft of my belongings. I could have gone to a friendas apartment but I decided that you were right. You and I need to talk about the future.a He saw it then, the exquisite relief that flooded her face.
She rose swiftly. aCould we dine first, Marcus? I am very hungry.a aCertainly,a he said politely. He extended his arm to her. aMadam.a She sent him a wary look and he saw it. It pleased him. It pleased him inordinately. For the first time since head come to her small cottage in Smarden a year ago, he felt himself in control. All because head held his fury inside. All because she no longer knew what to expect from him. He smiled down at her, saying nothing. Let her wonder what was in his mind without shouting it at her.
He seated her at one end of the table and took himself off to the other. The food was already there, between them, beneath silver domes to keep it hot.
aBadger has outdone himself,a Marcus said, closing his eyes as he slowly chewed on the chicken with orange and tarragon. aThe onion is sweet, the Stilton cheese utterly perfecta"pale at the rind and pale yellow and creamy inside.a aI was just thinking that same amount of detail myself,a she said, staring at the Stilton cheese she hadnat touched. What was he planning to do?
aWherever did Badger find such delicious oranges?a aAt Les Halles. He spends several hours there every morning.a aAh, yes, le ventre de Parisa"the belly of Paris for the past six hundred years.a He forked down more chicken, made ecstatic rumbling noises as he chewed, then smiled at her again. aYou donat appear to be enjoying your dinner, d.u.c.h.ess.a aI ate a tremendous luncheon,a she said.
aWere you busy today? Perhaps you were shopping? Visiting friends? Visiting mistresses? Visiting your new husbandas former lodgings to remove all traces of him?a aI didnat do all that much today, Marcus.a aAh, yet again I asked more than one question which gives you the perfect chance to answer none of them. Eat your chicken, d.u.c.h.ess.a aI am waiting for Badgeras London buns. Theyare delicious. He says it is the quality of the lard one uses that makes the difference, he saysa"a aI will have to wait,a Marcus said, sitting back in his chair and lacing his fingers over his belly. aI have quite stuffed myself.a aYou were hurt. You need food to regain your strength.a aYou want fat on my manly charms, d.u.c.h.ess? You donat really care, then, for you say nothing. Well then, this dining room is quite charming, as is the rest of the house. Since you are now a very rich young lady, I fancy you didnat even blink an eye when you were told the rental.a aIt is rather expensive, but as I told you, if you wish it, I will leave for London. If you wish to remain here, why, you are very rich yourself now, Marcus, you can well afford it.a aYes, I am rich now, arenat I? It is interesting that during the ten months when I believed myself to be the real earl as opposed to the temporary earl, I never forgot the value of money and what it was like to consider purchases. I doubt I will change now. I was just thinking of the poor American Wyndhamsa"all for naught, the poor sods now have nothing at all.a aThey didnat deserve to have anything,a she said. aIt is all yours. It was all meant to be yours.a aOh no. It was meant to be Charlieas and if not Charlieas then Markas.a aThey died, Marcus, five years ago. It was no oneas fault, certainly not yours.a aHow very interesting. You blame your father.a aYes.a He realized in that moment that he couldnat bear it, none of it. The d.u.c.h.ess, sitting at the opposite end of the table, her face in the shadows, but her d.a.m.ned voice sounding like a serene Madonnaas, no, he couldnat bear it. He rose and tossed his napkin onto his plate. aIam going out,a he said, and strode toward the door of the dining room.
aMarcus.a He paused, then said over his shoulder, not turning to look at her, aYes? Am I forbidden to leave the house once Iam inside it? Will I find your bully boys on the front doorstep waiting to shackle me and drag me back inside?a aMarcus, we havenat spoken yet.a Now he did turn to face her. In a voice that held no pa.s.sion, no anger, naught of anything she could hear, he said, aI fear I am not up to it now, d.u.c.h.ess. There are things I must think about, things that concern only myself and only my future. Surely you must understand that?a She was very afraid that she did. The words were choking in her throat, but she couldnat make herself ask if he was now considering an annulment. She said nothing, merely stared at him in silence until he turned again and strode quickly from the dining room, from her.
11.
BADGER TUGGED ON his right earlobe. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He tugged more, then said finally, aMr. Spears, it worries me nonetheless. We have discussed this and we are in agreement. I understand the need, indeed, but she is very innocent. It was her mother, you see, and the situation she was in. She was a mistress, Mr. Spears, and thus her daughter was a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. She sought to protect the d.u.c.h.ess, and that, in her mind, meant keeping the girl appallingly ignorant.a aMr. Badger, I realize this situation is not one that either of us would wish, but you must stop pulling on your poor earlobe, itas getting quite raw. The strain these two have created is enough to drive a sane man to immoderate drink, or to yanking at his earlobe. Would you like a brandy, perhaps? No? Well then, it must be done and you know it. His lordship just might be seeing to an annulment this very moment. She would be most upset were he to succeed. She is willing to do it. Indeed, she must do it. I will myself ascertain his lordshipas mood this evening before she proceeds.a aAnd if heas in a ripping foul mood?a aThen, Mr. Badger, she will have no choice but to wait. I wouldnat trust him with her if it were so.a ad.a.m.ned b.l.o.o.d.y young fool! I should like to snaggle him in an alley and pound that stiff pride out of him.a Spears sighed. aHe is a young man, Mr. Badger. Young and strong and proud and he sees her as the source of all his problems.a aBut she saved him!a aYes, but it changes nothing. In his view a man should do the saving, and if he isnat able to, then no one should, particularly a female.a aPoor little mite,a Badger said.
aThen she had the gall to inherit that fifty thousand pounds, leaving him in a most humiliating position. An allowance, Mr. Badger, an allowance! For the earl of Chase. Could you think of anything that would belittle him more than that?a aBut none of it was her fault!a aCertainly not. But she was there, donat you see? She went from being a harmless b.a.s.t.a.r.d to being a legitimate heiress, and the heiress part took all that belonged to him, by right. Ah, it makes no matter what is in his mind. She will do what she must. She always has.a aShe shies from nothing, Iall say that,a Badger said, rising from the comfortable rocking chair near the fire in Mr. Spearsas sitting chamber. aWell, she shies but she makes herself act.a aDo let me tell you, Mr. Badger, that the chicken with orange and tarragon was superb.a Badger nodded, still clearly distracted. aBut Mr. Spears, what if he hurts her?a aShe will bear it. And then it will be done.a The d.u.c.h.ess was wondering if she hadnat suddenly stepped over the edge of sanity and become quite mad. She paused at the closed door, listening, but hearing nothing.
Was he already asleep? It was just past midnight. If it were a normal night, she certainly would be sleeping by now.
It was a reprieve if he was.
She shook her head. She didnat want him to be asleep. She wanted him awake and willing. A reprieve would only put it off and she was afraid to put it off. Marcus was unpredictable, he was slippery, she had no idea what he would do and when he would do it. Very quietly, she turned the bra.s.s doork.n.o.b. The well-oiled door eased open with no betraying creaks or groans. There was a sluggish fire still burning in the fireplace, casting off shadowy light. She stepped quickly into his bedchamber, quietly closing the door behind her. The room was warm, which was a relief, she supposed.
The carpet felt thick and soft beneath her bare feet. She followed the line of his discarded clothing beginning from near the fireplace toward the bed. She saw that his sword was still in its scabbard fastened to its leather belt. The belt was carefully wrapped and laid atop a table. She very nearly tripped over one of his Hessian boots that stood drunkenly at right angles to the bed. His cloak was spread on the floor, looking for the world like a black bat in flight.
She stood beside the wide bed, staring down at him. He was asleep, lying on his back, one arm flung over his forehead, the other at his side, palm up and open. There was a single sheet covering him and it stopped at his waist.
He was big, his chest covered with black hair and hard with muscle, as were his arms. She realized he looked as splendid out of his uniform as he did wearing it. She smiled before she realized that she hadnat yet really begun to sift through their differences. She could see him outlined beneath the sheet, the largeness of him, and that was surely something to think about.
She saw that his ribs were green and blue with faint tinges of yellow. She wondered if they pained him much.
It was then she wondered what to do. She thought of the book Badger had handed her silently that afternoon, not quite meeting her eyes, just mumbling, aThis might be of some a.s.sistance, d.u.c.h.ess. There are, er, drawings.a aDrawings, Badger?a aYes, drawings. Did your mother tell you anything about what happens between men and women?a She very slowly shook her head. Badger said, aLook through the book, d.u.c.h.ess. If you have questions, Iall ask Mr. Spears to see you.a She thought, on the face of things, that he looked better than any of the rather crude drawings that filled that strange but very informative book. She lightly touched her fingertips to his jaw, still bruised, covered with black stubble. Then she lay her palm over his heart, feeling the steady thudding against her flesh. His hair was crisp and curling beneath her fingers. He moved then, turning slightly, then falling back again. His arm came down to rest over his belly.
What to do now?
She wasnat afraid, just stymied, for unlike any of the male drawings in the book, Marcus was asleep. There was no eagerness, no leering smiles to be seen on his face. He certainly wasnat ready to leap on her like many of the men in those drawings.
He opened his eyes and stared up at her. His eyes were blurred and vague, but his voice was sharp. aBy all thatas strange and beyond strange. You of all people, in my bedchamber. What do you want, d.u.c.h.ess?a aYou,a she said. aI want you, Marcus.a He said nothing, merely smiled at her, and closed his eyes again. His breathing was deep and even in but a matter of moments. It was then she realized that he hadnat truly been awake. But head sounded awake. So, it was up to her, completely up to her.
She wiped her damp palms on her dressing gown. Slowly, knowing there was nothing more for it, she untied the sash at her waist and slipped the dressing gown off her shoulders. It pooled at her feet. Her nightgown, she thought. She had to do it. In a moment, she was still standing there beside him, now naked. She felt the warmth from the fire against her back.
She leaned over him and touched her mouth to his. aMarcus,a she said. aPlease wake up. Iam not all that certain what to do. I mean I am certain what has to happen, but Iam not certain how to make it happen. Please wake up, Marcus.a He smiled at her words and said softly. aAh, Lisette, wonat you let me get any sleep at all? Youare more greedy than a b.l.o.o.d.y man.a His hands came up and cupped her loose b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She sucked in her breath, but managed to hold herself still. He was kneading her b.r.e.a.s.t.s now, lifting them, ma.s.saging them, filling his hands with her, all the while, his eyes were closed. She saw the outline of him change beneath the sheet. She knew what that meant. It meant that this particular part of him, the most important part in terms of what she had to accomplish, was more awake now than not.
But he believed she was his mistress.
Suddenly, his hands moved from her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to encircle her waist. He lifted her over him, pushing at her legs so that she was straddling him, her hands supporting herself against his chest, her hair coming over her shoulders to touch him. His hands were again on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and he was moaning softly as he caressed her.
She was too terrified to move.
aWhat is this?a he whispered, then laughed over a moan. He slipped his hand beneath her b.u.t.tocks and drew the sheet down. She felt him hard beneath her. The heat of him was incredible. She hadnat imagined anything like this.
He breathed deeply, and now both his hands lifted her and she felt him stiffening, felt him now hot against her, and didnat know what to do.
aWhat is this, Lisette? Youare not ready for me yet you want me to wake up and pleasure you again? Hold still, yes, thatas right, just hold still and let me enjoy you.a He pulled her forward so that she was lying on his chest. He found her mouth and she felt the heat of him, the sweet warmth that made her open her mouth immediately, wanting the taste of him, and his tongue touched hers and she jumped slightly, and he laughed softly into her mouth. She focused on his tongue, on the movement of his lips until suddenly his fingers were on her, pulling gently at her flesh and easing inside her. She cried out, she couldnat help it, but he soothed her, stroking her hips, as if she were an animal, she thought wildly, and he sought to calm her. His fingers hurt but he didnat stop what he was doing, going in and out of her, stretching her, and she raised her face, biting her bottom lip to keep quiet. She knew what he would do. She wasnat stupid, but she didnat want it, for the pain was building now, raw and deep and shead felt him before head pulled her forward to lie against his chest, and she knew he was much larger than the two fingers inside her. Now she felt the dampness of herself and it was embarra.s.sing, but she didnat have time to consider that because he was pushing her upright again, over him, then lifting her and she felt him hard and pushing against her and suddenly he was inside her and he was groaning with his pleasure in it.
She didnat want to cry out. She refused to. She splayed her palms on his chest, closing her eyes and her mouth as he deepened inside her, deeper and deeper until he was pressing against her maidenhead and she felt it, actually felt him there, pushing harder and harder until, with no warning, he threw back his head and gritted his teeth, his hands tightened around her flanks and he lifted his hips even as he brought her hard down on him.
A cry ripped from her throat, she couldnat help it. The pain, the deep burning, was horrible. Surely he could go no deeper into her, but then he did and she didnat think she could bear it further.
He was lifting her and lowering her now, rhythmically, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of her hips, and he was breathing hard, jerking his hips, and she opened her eyes and looked down at his face. There was a dark flush on his cheeks, his eyes were closed and his lips were parted. He appeared to be in pain. That made two of them, she thought, then all rational thought dissolved when he quickened his thrusts until he was frantically jerking into her, his legs and chest heaving, and his breath was catching in his throat and he groaned loudly, his head thrown back on the pillow now and she was crying, she tasted her tears in her mouth, the salt of them, felt the pain of his fingers digging into her hips and the endless pain of him deep inside her.
Then it was over. He was utterly still beneath her. He sighed deeply and his head rolled to the side. His hands fell from her. She felt his legs sprawl beneath her. He was still deep inside her, but the pain had lessened now for there was wetness from him, his seed, she knew, and it helped, at least it helped reduce the intense pressure inside her.
She felt the rumbling in him as his chest heaved slightly, and again he opened his eyes. He frowned up at her. ad.u.c.h.ess,a he said. aBy G.o.d, itas you, isnat it, d.u.c.h.ess? Pretending to be Lisette this time. Why are you here? Why am I inside you? This canat be, it canat. Iam dreaming. Yes, itas a dream.a His mouth closed. He shuddered then fell perfectly still once more. She felt him come out of her, and very slowly she slipped off him to stand beside the bed. Her legs were sore, the muscles of her inner thighs trembling.
The single sheet was tangled around his knees. She stared down at him, at his flat belly, at the tangle of black hair at his groin, at his s.e.x, soft now, but wet with himself and with her, she supposed, and with her blood. She shuddered and quickly pulled the sheet back to his waist.
She jerked her nightgown over her head, then pulled the dressing gown over it. She didnat cry until she was in her own bedchamber, huddled beneath a mound of blankets. She couldnat seem to get warm.
She fell asleep, a sleep fraught with phantoms that had no faces, that brought her pain, she knew it was pain, yet she couldnat seem to move, and they were laughing and laughing. Then suddenly, she was more awake than she was the moment before and she felt more warmth than she should feel. She turned into the warmth, the flesh that felt so wonderful pressed against her. This wasnat a phantom and if it was from her dreams, then she would hold it tightly to her for there was no pain here, no faceless fear. Large hands that were stroking down her back, pulling her closer, molding her to him, and she felt the thick hair of his chest against her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and then lower, the heaviness of him, and he had her hips in his hands and pushing her rhythmically against him. She awoke with a start.
It was no phantom spun from her dreams. It was Marcus. He was in her bed and he was naked and she was naked as well. What had happened to her nightgown? His hands were sifting through her hair as he kissed her neck, the lobe of her ear. He blew softly at the tendrils of hair in his way. He kissed her chin and then her mouth, and she didnat know what this was, this immense warmth and urgency that was beginning to invade her. She felt her legs pressing against his, hers so very smooth and his hard with muscle.
aMarcus,a she whispered, and she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. aMarcus,a she said again into his mouth. aIam not Lisette. Iam not your mistress.a aYes,a he said. aYes, I know.a He was kissing her deeply now and his hands were on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s veiled with her haira"her body remembered the pleasure of his fingers on her flesh, remembered very well, but then he was going lower, his hand between their bodies and he was touching her, feeling the dampness of her, and she felt that smile of his, touching her mouth, and then he was on top of her and she felt the weight of him pushing her down, the heaviness of his legs, but his hands were beneath her hips, drawing her upward, and he slowly eased into her. She heard his breath catch, felt him going deeper and the pain wasnat so bad this time, but it was there despite the dampness still within her, and she tried to pull away from him, but he held her tightly until he came over her and she felt him touching her womb.
aNot again,a she said, for he was beginning to move and stretch her and she was still very sore, but he wouldnat slow. aNot again,a she said against his throat, hearing his breathing sharpen and grow more urgent. aPlease, Marcus, it hurts.a She felt his frenzy even before it became wild movement, before he jerked and shuddered as if in the throes of a cataclysm of something she couldnat begin to understand. She cried out, aNo, Marcus. Please, not again. Thereas no need. Please, Marcus, no!a aThereas every need,a he said, his voice raw and deep, aevery need because . . .a His harsh breathing overtook his voice. He continued until he found his release. He was quiet over her for but a moment. Then he pulled slowly out of her. He rose to stand beside her bed, staring down at her. Head lit a candle and she opened her eyes to look up at him. She was sprawled on her back, her legs parted.
aWhy did you do that?a aWhy not?a he said and shrugged. She saw no anger in his eyes, no expression on his face. He continued, his voice hard as his body. aSince you already took me once why shouldnat I return the favor? Donat you think Iam a gentleman, d.u.c.h.ess?a She struggled to pull the covers over herself.
aThere really is no need. Iave felt your body and looked at it. Do you think Iave never seen a naked woman before? Do you believe yourself such a treat of originality? Such a feat of creation? Youare only a woman, d.u.c.h.ess, nothing more.a He struck a naked pose, his long fingers stroking over his jaw. aOf course, this is the first time I am really seeing you, for that first time, it was dark and I was only conscious enough to . . . well, I donat want to be crude, do I? And this time we were beneath all those covers.a She left the covers at her waist. She said nothing. She felt her heart thudding wildly, but she held herself quiet, knowing she did it automatically as a protection against his words, and knowing just as certainly that her silence wouldnat keep him from saying anything he wanted to say. He was like that.
She saw that he would leave. He couldnat, not yet, not until she was certain he understood. She said quickly, aI had to do it, Marcus. Surely you realize that. You did not seem averse.a aI thought you were Lisette. Had I realized it was you that first timea"a He shrugged and her eyes fell from his face down his body, and he knew she was looking at him and he merely shrugged again. aYou had to do it. What an odd thing for you to say. Why? Surely you, of all women, of all b.l.o.o.d.y virgins, wouldnat willingly want to take a man. Youare so cold I doubt you would ever have consented to have me inside you unless . . .a His voice stopped cold. He stared at her.
aThe one time was necessary. Youare safe now, Marcus, youare safe from yourself and your perhaps unthinking anger . . . that is, you canat now annul the marriage.a aSo,a he said. aI thought that, but I didnat want to believe it, even in my muddle-minded state, but I couldnat believe that I could think such perverse thoughts. Goodness, Josephina, you even forced yourself to be impaled on me. And I helped you because I believed you to be Lisette. Yes, that worked mightily in your favor, didnat it, d.u.c.h.ess? If I hadnat come awake, wanting her again, why I never would have realized what had happened until the morning. But I saw your blood all over me and on the sheets as well, your precious virginas blood, a commodity Lisette hasnat shared with a man in many a long year. But I did wake up. Youare right, thereall be no annulment now.a He looked at her another moment, and his expression was hard and unyielding.
aMarcus,a she said, and she lifted her hand to him.
He just shook his head. aI doubt I would have annulled this marriage, d.u.c.h.ess, despite what you have done. Iam not all that stupid. Even I wouldnat whistle a b.l.o.o.d.y fortune down the wind all for the sake of pride.a aBut you gave me the impression that you would, you made me thinka"a He just smiled, not a very nice smile. aI was angry,a he said, as if that explained everything, excused everything. aNow, it is done. No annulment. Donat misunderstand me, d.u.c.h.ess. I still believe that b.l.o.o.d.y pederast Trevor can still be my heir, or if he begets any little pederasts, then they can. Donat believe your precious blood will flow through the next earl. Never would I give your d.a.m.nable father that satisfaction. If I father a child, then it will be as illegitimate as you area"were. And, unlike you, he will remain a b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
aNo, no annulment, d.u.c.h.ess. Your simple mind can now be at ease again. You have made your ultimate female sacrifice. And here I was crude enough to force myself on you again. Well, thatas a man for you. And I am your husband.a aDo you truly want to be my husband?a She heard the plea in her voice and hated herself, for she knew he wouldnat hesitate to dash her into the rocks, and he did.
aI wonder what that means?a he said, still stroking his jaw, his voice sounding mocking in his scorn. aDoes that mean I must be civil to you at the breakfast table? Does that mean I must force myself to take you occasionally? As I did tonight? I must tell you, d.u.c.h.ess, that first time when I believed you were Lisette, ah, that left me blank-brained with l.u.s.t and pleasure. This second time, knowing it was you, well, consider it an experiment on my part, an experiment to determine if you are as cold as I believe you to be.a aIam not cold.a aYou, d.u.c.h.ess,a he said very precisely, the hated drawl more p.r.o.nounced, ahated my touching you. Donat deny it. It was difficult for me to bring myself to climax with you yelling at me to astop, stop, please Marcus, do stop.a Very difficult. I had to keep thinking of Lisette and the way she cries out and squirms against me and caresses me with her mouth and her hands.a She closed her eyes against him. aI didnat hate you touching me. You woke me up and you hurt me again. Surely that doesnat make me cold. I didnat know how to caress you and touch you. And I didnat yell at you to stop. I just didnat understand, Marcus, and I was afraid.a aWell, let me be more simple for you, d.u.c.h.ess. Understand this, you forced your way into my life. I cannot force you out of it now, but I donat have to accept it. Do go back to England, d.u.c.h.ess. You donat need anyone hanging about you, particularly a husband. You are so self-contained, so very independent, and now youare a countess, no longer an ignominious former b.a.s.t.a.r.d. But I beg you not to take a lover. There will be no progeny from this union, as I told you. I couldnat punish your father in life, but, by G.o.d, I will make certain that he has no children from your womb. I slipped tonight, taking you that second time, but no more. Yes, d.u.c.h.ess, go to London, and do enjoy yourself. You are rich and you are now t.i.tled. Even the greatest sticklers should admit you to society.