A Christmas Affair (33 page)

“Then, perhaps it’s just as well I didn’t ask,” he said, and then took her mouth in a demanding kiss.

At the first touch of his firm lips against hers, Amanda’s shyness turned to desire, and she gave herself to the excitement burning inside her. Justin felt her hesitancy melting,
and it goaded him to further boldness. He’d been torturing himself with memories of her taste, and now he was determined to drink his fill.

“Ah, Amanda, but you go to my head,” he muttered, sliding his mouth down her neck to seek the scented hollow at the base of her throat. “You’re more potent than the most expensive brandy, sweeter than honey. . . .” He nipped playfully at her shoulder.

“Justin!” She arched against him, trembling at the emotions that tore through her. She’d never known such wildness, and she wanted more. Casting all reserve aside, she pressed herself against him, revelling in the shudder that shook his hard frame. Justin’s hand cupped her full breast, his thumb teasing the nipple until she was certain she would go mad.

This time when his mouth returned to hers, she boldly opened her lips, welcoming his tongue as it surged inside. Justin groaned at her boldness and the raw sound increased her pleasure. It excited her on some fundamental level that she could have such an effect upon Justin, and she sought to increase that effect. Her hands slid into the thickness of his hair, but when she would have held him closer, he stepped back, his breath coming out in ragged gasps as he stared down at her through passion-glazed eyes.

“We have to stop,” he managed, his voice rough with unslaked passion. “We’re not husband and wife . . . yet.”

She flushed as much from embarrassment as from anticipation of the passionate promise in his voice. She ran a nervous tongue over her lips, her color deepening when she tasted him there. “I—Justin, I don’t know what to say” she stammered, unable to meet his gaze. “This has never happened to me before.”

“I know.” His smile was rueful. “I wasn’t expecting it either, but I will not pretend to be disappointed. It will be good between us, Amanda, that much I can promise you.”

She wasn’t certain how to answer that, and so she re
mained silent. The rest of the evening passed in a vague haze, and it was only when she was alone in her bed that she allowed herself to relive that burning kiss. Her heart beat furiously in her chest at the memory, and it was then that she finally faced the hard and painful truth. She was in love with Justin.

Chapter Eighteen

The notice announcing Amanda’s engagement appeared in Tuesday’s paper, and by the following afternoon, she was inundated with invitations, most of which came from people she’d never met. She was mulling over the problem of how to begin answering all of the letters when the door to her sitting room opened and Lady Rayburne came bustling in chattering excitedly.

“My dear, I have just heard the
silliest
rumor,” she said, her satin skirts rustling as she settled on the chair facing Amanda. “It’s all a perfect hum, of course, and I pray that you will pay it no mind. Although the fact that the
ton
are already gossiping about you is sure to be a good sign. You must know they wouldn’t waste their breath on a
nobody.”

“What rumor, my lady?” Amanda asked, wisely ignoring three quarters of the countess’s rambling discourse. She’d already learned it was the only way to make any sense of her conversation.

“Well, the rumor that Justin is planning to run off and act as the governor-general of Madrid!” Lady Lettita exclaimed, shooting Amanda an impatient look. “Lady Milmount is putting it about that he has accepted a position with the Admiralty and will be sailing for Spain within
the fortnight. Naturally
I
told her it was utter nonsense! How could he even consider such a thing when the pair of you ain’t even properly leg-shackled as yet?”

Amanda swallowed a painful lump. She’d been so distracted with her love for Justin that she hadn’t given his leaving much thought. Not that she’d completely forgotten about it, of course, but neither had she allowed herself to dwell on it. Hearing Lady Lettita’s shocked response made her realize how the rest of society would view his leaving. So much for their passing this off as a lovematch, she thought with an unhappy sigh.

“Actually, Lady Lettita,” she began, shifting nervously on her chair, “the offer came from Whitehall, not the Admiralty, and he is to be appointed provost marshal of the region.”

“Then, it is
true?”

“Yes, and a very great honor it is, too,” Amanda said brightly, determined to put on as good a face as possible. “Justin says the government is sending only the most qualified of men, and the fact he is even being considered is bound to further his career. Why, it could even mean a promotion to general, and —”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Lady Lettita interrupted with a haughty sniff. “Military ranks are as common as coal dust! And what use has he for a career? He is Stonebridge’s heir, to say nothing of his own title.”

“What title?” Amanda demanded in a perplexed tone.

“The Viscount Marston,” Lady Lettita gaped at her. “Never say that dolt hasn’t even told you, you are to be a viscountess?”

Amanda shook her head. “It must have slipped his mind,” she murmured weakly.

“Hmph!” The countess gave another loud sniff. “Only a man would forget to tell his bride he is bestowing a coronet on her,” she grumbled, looking thoroughly disgusted.
“But that is neither here nor there. The fact remains, my dear, that you simply can not allow Justin to take this post. Only think of the tattle it will cause when it becomes known he
deserted
you on your wedding night!”

“It won’t be on our wedding night, nor is he ‘deserting’ me,” Amanda said, leaping to Justin’s defense. “And as for my allowing him to leave, what else is there to be done? He will be my husband, and the decision is naturally his.”

The look the older woman sent her spoke volumes. “You are young, Amanda, else you wouldn’t utter such moonshine,” she said wisely. “Really, I thought you much more clever than that. Of course you could get him to change his mind.”

“How?”

“By any number of methods. Tears, threats, the vapors.” She ticked them off on her bejeweled fingers. “Or if all else fails, you can always resort to the one method of persuasion guaranteed to make any man see the sweet light of reason.”

“What is that?” Amanda asked, her brow wrinkling in concentration.

“Lovemaking.”

“Lady Rayburne!”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Amanda, don’t be so missish!” Lady Lettita scowled at her. “We both know you’re no green girl without knowledge of the world. You know perfectly well that men are possessed of certain base appetites.”

“Certainly I am aware of the . . . the physical side of marriage,” she stammered, her cheeks growing red at the memory of the impassioned kiss she had exchanged with Justin. The very memory of it made her tremble. Apparently men weren’t the only ones afflicted with such appetites, she thought, struggling to hide her agitation.

“Well, there you are,” Lady Lettita said, folding her
hands and beaming benevolently at Amanda. “You have only to deny Justin the delights of the marriage bed, and he’ll turn up sweet as you please. How do you think
I
kept Rayburne in line all those years?”

Amanda’s flush increased at the candid confession. “I don’t think that would work with Justin,” she mumbled, fervently wishing there was some way to end the frank conversation.

“Ah” — the countess nodded sagaciously—“like that, is it? Well, I can’t say that I blame you. Justin is a devilishly attractive man. I can understand your not wanting to deny him his conjugal rights.”

“Lady Lettita, I fear you are intruding upon my—”

“Of course, the other trick you might try is to keep him so pleased he can’t bear the thought of leaving you,” Lady Lettita said thoughtfully. “That is also quite effective. And probably a great deal safer. A young, healthy man like Justin would only seek a mistress if you barred your door to—x201D;

“Lady Rayburne.” This time it was Amanda who interrupted, her teeth set with annoyance. “This is between Justin and myself, and I will thank you to keep out of it. I appreciate your advice, but this is something that we must be allowed to resolve
on our own.”

Lady Lettita’s bottom lip thrust out in a pretty pout. “I was only trying to help,” she said in injured tones. “You have no mother to advise you, and as you are my guest, I thought it my duty to render what aid I could. Naturally, if I have offended you, you have my most humble apologies, and my assurances that I shan’t impose upon you again.”

Amanda was strongly tempted to applaud the performance, but she knew it would doubtlessly offend her hostess beyond all bearing. “Don’t be absurd,” she soothed, giving the older woman’s hand a fond pat. “Of course I
appreciate all you have done for me. In fact, I was about to go in search of you when you came in. I find myself in something of a dilemma and was hoping you might be so kind as to advise me.”

“About what?” Lady Rayburne brightened at once.

Amanda indicated the pile of invitations on her desk. “What am I to do about all these? There must be dozens of them, and there is no way I can attend even half of these affairs, to say nothing of returning their hospitality.”

“Goose!” The countess shook her head at her. “They don’t really expect you to
attend;
they merely wanted to invite you. But you are right; you will be expected to hold some kind of function to establish your reputation as a hostess.” She laid a finger on her lips as she considered the matter.

“I have it! You shall have a tea party! It is the perfect sort of occasion for a young bride to try her wings.”

That made sense to Amanda, and she nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, that would be nice,” she said slowly. “Once I am settled in Dover House, I can —”

“Oh, no, you can’t wait
that
long!” The countess exclaimed in horrified tones. “You must have one immediately! No later than next week if at all possible.”

“But I am being married in less than six days, and the house is nowhere near completion,” Amanda protested, remembering the state of the house the last time she had seen it.

Lady Rayburne gave a long-suffering sigh. “Then, you may have it here,” she said in the tones of one explaining things to a slow-witted child. “In fact, it would probably be for the best. It would show you have the approval of Justin’s family. Now, what about the guest list? Is there anyone you wish to invite?”

Amanda thought of Aunt Elizabeth. She didn’t really want her querulous relation there, but she could see no
polite way of snubbing her. “My aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Herrick, lives in London,” she said, hoping the dour woman was so angry with her she would refuse the invitation. “But other than her, I can think of no one else. Perhaps I could go through these invitations and —”

“Oh, no, child!” Lady Rayburne shook her head in disapproval. “You must leave this to me. As this will be your first official party, every care must be taken that only the
best
people are included, the
crème de la crème
of society.”

“I have given other parties, you know,” Amanda grumbled, an incipient feeling of pique stirring in her breast. “In Surrey I often gave dinner parties for our friends and neighbors.”

“Really, Amanda,” the countess returned archly, “one can not compare a country do with a London affair. It is an altogether different thing.”

“If you say so, my lady.” Amanda mentally tossed up her hands in surrender. “I shall leave it all in your capable hands. Thank you for your kind assistance; I appreciate your help.”

“You’re more than welcome, my dear.” Lady Lettita dipped her head regally. “But really, ’tis no trouble. It’s only a tea party, after all. What could possibly go wrong?”

True to his word, Justin arrived the following morning to take the family on the promised tour of London. Amelia was off with Charles visiting his aunt, but the twins’ exuberance more than made up for her absence. To their great delight, Edward accompanied them, but when Amanda tried expressing her gratitude, Justin gave a negligent shrug.

“Actually, it was Edward’s idea,” he said, brushing her hands aside so that he could finish tying the ribbons of her bonnet beneath her chin. “It seems he’s also been
wanting to see the catch-me-who-can. We’ll have to keep a sharp eye on him so that he doesn’t help the twins steal the wretched thing.”

After viewing the latest mechanical wonder to delight London, the children eschewed the more cultural aspects of the city, opting instead for the delights of Ackerman’s Repository. Edward was unable to join them, but promised he would accompany them on the trip to the Frost Fair which was scheduled for the next week. When they reached the sprawling establishment on Strand Street, Justin gave each child a handful of shillings, admonishing them to be back within the hour. When they’d gone scampering off to spend the unexpected windfall, he turned to Amanda with a wide grin.

“I’ll bet you thought I was going to give them each a sovereign,” he teased. She’d been so quiet during the tour that he wondered if she was sickening after something.

“Not at all, although I’m surprised Edward didn’t give them anything,” she said, wincing when she remembered how she’d once accused him of attempting to buy the children’s affection.

“Actually, he slipped them something when you weren’t looking,” he replied with a conspiratorial wink. “Nothing extravagant, mind, only a few pounds. I told him you wouldn’t approve if he was
too
generous.”

“You make me sound like an ogress,” she complained, pausing to examine a length of striped French silk. It was just what she was looking for to recover the chairs at Dover House, and she made a note of the price. “Edward will think me a terrible person.”

“Not at all. He approves wholeheartedly of the way you are raising the boys,” Justin said as they made their way down the spacious aisles. “He admits our father spoiled him shamelessly, and that it was almost his undoing. But he warns me that he means to exercise his rights as a fa
vorite uncle to indulge them on occasion.”