Never a Bride (11 page)

The next step in finding Sarah’s seducer would be finding a way to get into a gentlemen’s club so that she could get a look at the necks of the men. She couldn’t trust Lily to look the gentlemen over thoroughly. Mirabella would wear a disguise so no one recognized her.

Camden reached into his coat pocket and pulled from it a small black box. “This is a gift for you.”

“For me?” She took the case and stared into his eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“I had it with me when I came earlier today.”

“But… I thought your finances were low, sir.”

“That is true, but it doesn’t mean that certain proprieties shouldn’t be observed. I’ve not been here to court you properly. You are my fiancée, and I intend to act the part. That includes giving you flowers and gifts, as well as being seen with you all over Town.”

“Oh, but our engagement’s not real.”

He gently laid his forefinger upon her lips. The pressure was slight but heady. Pleasure filled her. At that moment, Mirabella knew she desired Camden the way a woman should want the man she was to marry. He stirred her like no other man ever had. She hardly dared breathe. She didn’t move or twitch, not wanting to break this seductive contact with him.

“Not even to ourselves will we entertain the thought that this is not a proper engagement,” he whispered. “In all ways, everyone, including you and I, will be thinking this engagement will end in marriage. From this day forward we will act and plan as if we’ll be married next spring. Understand?”

She nodded.

“You have beautiful lips,” Camden said and ran his finger across them, down her chin and neck to the hollow of her throat and let it rest there.

Mirabella wasn’t sure she was breathing. His caress stirred wonderful sensations deep in her abdomen. “You have a gentle touch, sir.”

She heard his shaky intake of breath.

“You are a mystery, Mirabella, with your beautiful green eyes and tempting lips. It’s no wonder every worthy gentleman in London was gaming for your attention when the years passed and I failed to show up and claim you for my bride.”

A mystery.
If only she could tell him about Sarah, she wouldn’t be a puzzle to him any longer. But she couldn’t. He would demand that she stop and make her promise not to continue her search. She couldn’t give up until she had found the vile man and made him pay.

Remaining very close to her he said, “Open your gift.”

She peeled back the top of the box and exposed a delicately fashioned necklace of emerald and diamonds with matching earrings lying on a bed of black velvet. She looked up at him with wonder in her eyes.

“They are lovely, my lord. This is so unexpected. I don’t know what to say.”

“‘Thank you’ is usually appropriate.”

“Indeed it is, and I am most grateful, but I’m afraid I also feel undeserving.”

“My fiancée deserves the best and more. Everyone has made me feel like a schoolboy whose knuckles have been rapped. I have a lot of catching up to do. I should like for you to wear them on Saturday evening.”

She gave him an appreciative smile. “You have excellent taste, sir. I shall be happy to.”

“All I needed was to look at you. Your eyes are much lighter in color than the emeralds, but the beauty of the stones perfectly matches your lovely face.”

She blushed at his comment and looked down at the precious stones again. She felt totally undeserving of his generosity. She would give the jewelry back to him once the engagement was broken.

“So, what do you think, Mirabella? Should we seal our new engagement with a kiss?”

Her heart fluttered. “You mean you want to kiss me again?”

“Oh, yes,” he whispered. “You are my fiancée, and a beautiful lady. Why wouldn’t I want to kiss you?”

“You know I have allowed other gentlemen to kiss me.”

“That doesn’t lessen a man’s desire to capture the lips of a ravishing lady.”

“I find that strange, my lord. You don’t want to marry me because I’ve kissed another gentleman, but you don’t mind kissing me.”

He seemed to study the point for a moment. “That is because you are taught such things in polite society. That is not the case in real life. One man’s lips do not poison a lady’s lips for all other men.”

She took a deep breath and lifted her face toward his. “Then by all means, I believe that one kiss is usually appropriate after a renewed engagement.”

“Then let it be a long one,” he whispered.

Camden placed his hands on her shoulders and bent his head low, gently pulling her to him. His lips grazed lightly but constantly over hers. She leaned toward him accepting and accelerating the power of the kiss, not wanting it to end too soon. She felt strength from his hands, which gripped her tightly.

Mirabella was filled with a longing and a hunger she didn’t understand, but knew she didn’t want these feelings to go away, and she hadn’t felt such wonderful sensations with any other man’s kiss. A thrilling warmth spread throughout her as all her senses burst to life. She loved the touch of his hands on her arms and the taste of his lips on hers. She caught the fresh scent of shaving soap and heard the soft sound of his breathing. Her lashes fluttered upward, and she saw his handsome face so very close to her own.

She lifted her arms and let them circle his neck. His hands slid down her back to cup her waist and bring her up tighter against him. The kiss deepened. Mirabella didn’t know why, but she parted her lips. Camden slipped his tongue into her mouth. She gasped as something wonderful happened to her insides.

He must have assumed her intake of breath was a sign he’d gone too far because he slowly let go of her and backed away.

Mirabella’s cheeks heated. Did he know how tantalizing the kiss had been for her? She felt as if pleasure radiated from her and she didn’t want the feelings to end.

She didn’t know why she’d encouraged his kiss. Oh heavens, what a wanton he must think her to be. She wished she could tell him that he was the only man she had ever kissed because she wanted to.

“You have sweet lips, Mirabella,” he said.

“You are a most delightful kisser, sir. For a moment I thought my heart might stop beating.”

Camden cleared his throat and glanced away from her as he said, “Yes, well.”

“Did you not like what I said?”

“No, of course I did. I’m flattered.”

“And embarrassed I was so truthful?”

He smiled sweetly at her. “I assure you, Mirabella, it is every man’s desire to give heart-stopping kisses.”

“Yes, I suppose it would be.”

Camden rose from the settee. “I must go tell my family the good news of our renewed engagement.”

“So, you are sure they will be pleased?”

“Definitely.”

“And we know where we stand. You are doing this for your father, and I’m doing this for mine.”

His eyes suddenly had a faraway look to them. “I believe that’s where we were six years ago, isn’t it? Becoming engaged to please our parents.”

“Yes, I guess it’s comforting to know that some things don’t change.”

“Some things don’t need to. Good night, Mirabella.”

“Good night, Camden.”

She walked with him to the door. She took his hat and gloves off the entrance table and his fine wool coat off the hall stand and handed them to him.

“I feel quite indebted to you, sir.”

“Likewise. I’ll see you at half past ten Saturday evening.”

“I’ll be there.”

Camden opened the door, and Mirabella saw Archer walking up the front steps dressed in evening attire. Merciful heavens. She had failed to send word to her uncle that she wouldn’t be going out this evening.

“Good evening, Mr. Hornbeck.”

“Lord Stonehurst,” Archer acknowledged the viscount by taking off his hat as they passed each other on the landing. He stopped and watched Camden climb into a carriage.

“Do come in, Uncle.”

Archer stepped into the entrance way and hung his own hat and coat while Mirabella closed the door. He turned to her with his pale blue eyes wide with surprise.

“Bless the saints,” Archer said, “he looked chipper enough for a man who’s been made the fool by a woman for the second time.”

Mirabella bristled at her uncle’s choice of words. “Please, Uncle. Those words were most uncalled for. Lord Stonehurst is more courageous and generous than you might imagine.”

“Do tell.”

“He does not deserve callous remarks from you or anyone.”

“As you say, but never mind the viscount. How did it go with your father? I tried to warn you not to be so free with your kisses, Mirabella, more than once. I simply don’t recognize you anymore.”

“I hardly recognize myself. It’s most unfortunate that Camden chose a most inopportune time to return.”

“I’ll say. I’ve been in a dither about this all day. Couldn’t eat a bite, knowing I failed you and your father.”

“Actually, Uncle, you have failed no one. You can relax and not worry. Everything has been worked out satisfactorily.”

“Does that mean your father is sending you to the country to be with your aunt Helen?”

“Dear me, no. Lord Stonehurst and I have worked everything out. He and I have decided not to break our engagement, and my father doesn’t know anything about what happened last evening. I intend to keep it that way.”

“What a turn of events.” Archer shook his head absently. “Last night, when I left, I would have sworn on the Holy Book that your life would be a shambles and you would be in tears today. What’s this all about?”

She promised Camden she would tell no one, but would have loved to confide everything to Archer. But she would keep her vow of silence. “We talked and made some decisions. Lord Stonehurst and I understand each other, and we are in full agreement that we will be married next spring as planned.”

Archer’s face flamed red and his eyes bulged. “I don’t believe it. It can’t be true. I saw—he saw you in the arms of another man. The last time that happened to him he sailed for America within a month.”

“Shh, Uncle, please.” She put a finger to her lips. “Lower your voice. I’ve kept my behavior from Papa this long and now that things are worked out, I don’t intend for him to overhear your outbursts.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, pulling his handkerchief from his pocket and dabbing his forehead. “Tell me how. Why? I don’t understand. I came here fully prepared to tell your father that I would marry you to save your reputation from complete ruination.”

Shock caught in her throat. Her uncle was far too old for her to even consider such an arrangement. She gave him a grateful smile. “What a dear you are, but as you can see, your chivalry is not needed. Lord Stonehurst is a very astute and understanding man. Quite modern, too, I might add. I simply told him the truth.”
Part of it.
“I had given up all hope of being a bride, but I didn’t want to go through life never being kissed.”

“And he accepted that?”

“With what I’ve just told you, do you doubt it’s true?”

“No, no. Not at all,” he said, mopping his face, though there was no sign of perspiration. “I—just—I’m surprised that he accepted your explanation so quickly. But, as you said, he is a man of modern times. No doubt the Americans with their loose ways got to him.”

Mirabella laughed. “You are so flustered, Uncle, you aren’t making sense.”

“Well, dear girl, I have reason to be perplexed. I thought I would come here tonight and have to explain to your father why your reputation was in shambles and beg him to forgive me for not taking better care of you. Yes, I believe this has quite undone me.”

She smiled. “Not to worry now,” she said with complete confidence.

“And I am happy about that, but you’re not dressed. Why aren’t you ready to go out to the parties tonight?”

“Lord Stonehurst thought it best if he and I stay away from the parties until the Chesterfields have their grand soiree on Saturday evening. You and I will go to the ballroom as planned. We will wait in the entrance until Lord Stonehurst comes for me. We shall attend that ball together and others. We want to show Society that all is well with us.”

“A very good idea. But I will continue to be your chaperone and not let you out of my sight for a moment. No more trips to the garden for you.”

“Absolutely, Uncle.”

“Good.”

“Now, Papa wants to see you. I must have your word that you will not say anything to him about what happened last night with Mr. Farthingdale or anything else you may have heard.”

“I assure you, I don’t want him knowing about that any more than you do, but what’s to keep Mr. Farthingdale from spilling all?”

“Nothing, of course, and I do realize this whole affair could end up in the Society columns tomorrow morning. But Mr. Farthingdale did seem quite upset that Camden came upon us in the garden. I would like to think he will be a gentleman about this and remain quiet.”

“I fear that is too much to ask, but we can hope.” Archer turned to go up the stairs when he stopped and asked, “What is it that you hold in your hand?”

Mirabella carefully took off the lid and revealed the emerald and diamond necklace and earrings.

“An engagement gift from Lord Stonehurst?”

She nodded, knowing that appreciation sparkled in her eyes. His family’s income wasn’t what it once was, yet he bought her the most beautiful jewelry she had ever seen.

“About time,” Archer mumbled and looked down at the jewelry. “Dear girl, I do hope you know what you almost lost and that you will be the epitome of propriety from now until you are safely married.”

A sudden feeling of guilt robbed her of any feeling of victory over keeping the engagement sound.

Mirabella watched her uncle walk up the stairs and whispered to his back, “No, not yet, Uncle. I cannot give up my quest to find Sarah’s seducer and have him banished from Society.”

***

Camden took off his coat and hat and placed them on the hall stand in the corner of the small foyer of his parents’ town home. He noticed that the flocked wallpaper was peeling away from the corners of the walls. A fine layer of dust covered the marble-topped pedestal in the center of the room.

As soon as he had his father’s pressing financial matters under control, he would concentrate on getting the maid some help with the cleaning, cooking and clothing. He also wanted to do things like refurbish the town house for his parents. It had been neglected for too long.

He stood in the foyer for a moment longer and looked at a vase of flowers sitting on the table, no doubt cut by his mother that morning. He couldn’t help but notice their color was the same shade of pink as Mirabella’s lips. He relaxed and let his mind drift back over his conversation with her, and their kiss. She was a fascinating woman.

If for no other reason than he was going to enjoy getting to know her, he was glad they were to continue their engagement. He had a feeling there wouldn’t be a dull moment with her. She wouldn’t tell him how many men she had kissed. Why? Was it two? Three? A dozen? And why did he need to know? He certainly didn’t want to have to divulge to her how many women he’d kissed since their engagement.

There was Albert, too, and his malicious ramblings about Mirabella’s impropriety. How many other gentlemen were talking about Mirabella? No matter. He had to stop it immediately, and he needed his family’s help to do that.

He didn’t know why he felt so satisfied about having Mirabella as his fiancée. In truth, he should be smarting about the whole affair. Maybe his stint in America had changed him. Mirabella was lovely, desirable, and captivating. Damnation, the list could go on forever. He couldn’t blame the men for wanting to kiss her. He couldn’t blame her for not wanting to go through life never having been kissed.

It puzzled him that he had not been repulsed by her as he had been by Hortense six years ago. He had had no desire to kiss
her
after she was caught in another man’s arms, but Mirabella still fascinated him, still tempted him. Maybe it wasn’t as important the second time around, or maybe it was that this time Mr. Hornbeck had been the only other witness and not half the
ton.
He didn’t know the answer yet and maybe that was what made her so intriguing.

He strode into the parlor and found his father reading and his mother doing needlework. “Good evening,” he greeted them.

His mother looked grave and laid her sewing aside. “Hello, Camden.”

“Evening, Son. I trust you had a good day.”

His father had the look of a man beaten down. Perhaps this time he was truly sorry for having squandered his inheritance and putting his family in dire jeopardy from gambling and fools’ games. Camden could only hope it wasn’t too late to save them from the creditors.

“We’ve been waiting for your return,” his mother said. “Betty told us you had come in for a little while, but that you left suddenly without a word after reading a note that had been delivered. She has held dinner for you.”

“Perhaps you’d like a drink first?” his father asked, rising from his chair and heading for the satinwood sideboard.

Mirabella had fortified him with all he needed. “No, thank you. I’m fine. I have just come from a long discussion with Miss Whittingham.” His mother straightened. His father returned to his chair. “As you can imagine, we had many things to discuss.”

“We know, dear. Your father and I had a long talk, too. We want you to know we understand why you can’t go through with the wedding, all things considered. Your father and I will manage somehow.”

“No, Mama. Miss Whittingham and I decided to continue our engagement. Although she and I will not marry in the near future.”

Norine’s eyes brightened. “Oh, Camden. Are you sure about this?” She put her face into her handkerchief.

He walked over and took her hand from her face. “Don’t cry, Mama. Of course, I’m sure. This is not a time for tears.”

“Thank you, Son,” his father said. “I’m sure the gossip about her will die down now.”

“What gossip?” his mother asked, lifting her head.

“Well—er—I only meant that if Camden caught her in the arms of another man, surely someone else saw them. You know how things like that get around the
ton.
There’s bound to be talk.”

So his father had heard about Mirabella’s indiscretions.
No doubt several people had, which was why Albert felt comfortable in bringing it up to Camden. Why it hadn’t hit the Society columns, he didn’t know.

“There are some conditions to my agreeing to this, Father.”