A Wager for Love (22 page)

“Dear me,” remarked the Marquis mildly. “It seems every time I meet you, you are looking for Miss Kitty.”

Lavinia, leaning on his arm, stumbled, and would have fallen had not his other arm gone round her. She exclaimed in a suffocated voice, “That was not kind of you. Sir, to remind me of our last meeting.”

“Our last meeting? Ah yes.” An enigmatic expression crossed his face. “My appalling memory, you must forgive me, what happened after I left you to go and look for Richard and Kitty?”

“You have forgotten?” An arrested expression crossed her face, followed by a rich tide of colour. “You mock me, I think, sir.” There was a tense pause, and a hideous possibility leapt to Lavinia’s mind. “You mean it was not you?” she asked breathlessly.

“What was not me?” Seeing her embarrassment, he took pity on her. “No, Madam, it was not me.” He sighed, “to my eternal regret, I might add.”

“Then who?” She could hardly get the words out.

The Marquis gave her a sympathetic look. “I do not think I need to tell you, Madam, do I?” he asked gently.

Lavinia replied painfully, “You mean it was my husband?” She felt seered with humiliation. What a fool she had been. Why had she not guessed? The strange voice. She shuddered as she recalled what she had said.

“I believe he thought it would discourage you from meeting me again,” he offered apologetically. “But in case you still doubt my word …” Before she could guess his intentions he swung her lightly into the shade of a tree. His arms went round her, and his lips were on hers, warm and gentle. Nothing like her husband’s embrace. He released her and smiled, “Convinced?”

She could only nod dumbly.

“If you were my wife you would not be wandering about all alone at night.”

There was a wealth of meaning in his voice that brought Lavinia’s head up with a start. Andover himself was surprised at his words. The girl had affected him in a way he had never intended. Indeed, if he weren’t so cynical, he would almost believe himself to be falling in love with her. “Come, you must return to Grosvenor Square.”

“But Kitty,” she objected.

He smiled, his teeth a white flash in the darkness. “Never fear, Kitty will come to no harm.”

Each wrapped in their separate thoughts, they retraced their steps. Lavinia was aware only of numbing misery, sometime later she would feel pain and anger, but not now. So it had been Saltaire all the time. When she recalled what she had said, and how she had been betrayed into responding to his kiss, she shuddered afresh and caused the Marquis to eye her in concern. Saltaire had perhaps not served him the ill-turn he had intended. This time things would be different.

Whilst the Marquis was escorting Lavinia along the Walks, Richard was assisting his Kitty from the arbour, having reassured her countless times as to his undying devotion. When he had first heard of her “plan”. ridiculous though it was, he had been flattered, and he could not bring himself to remonstrate with her.

Lady Juliet had not taken too kindly to Saltaire’s dismissal, and his apparent disregard of her feelings for him was like salt in the wound. Love had turned to hatred, but receipt of an invitation to his ball had restored her hopes. If she could but get him in her toils again, this time it would be different. This time size would be the one to say when the parting of the ways came. When he had agreed to be one of a small party she was making up to hear the concert at Vauxhall, she had been delighted and not a little surprised. She would not have been quite so pleased had she realised his only reason for accepting her invitation was that it provided an excellent reason for not returning to his home. Juliet was far too astute to believe that his feelings were in any way engaged, but he was without a mistress, unless of course one counted the little country Miss, and men were after all creatures of habit.

As Lavinia, resting heavily on the Marquis’ arm, came in sight of the now well filled boxes, the maliciously bright eyes of Lady Juliet alighted on the couple with delight. Andover and Saltaire’s wife. How amusing. Unfurling her fan she turned to the Earl. “Surely that is your wife over there with Andover?” She dimpled provocatively, “Lud, ‘tis a Drury Lane farce for sure. Husband and wife; mistress and a lover.” She rolled her eyes in amusement.

Saltaire, however, was not disposed to share her amusement. He got to his feet, nearly overturning the table, and causing people to stare at him in amazement. As he bore down on the unsuspecting Lavinia, for once his habitual calm appeared to have deserted him. His face was a rigid mask of fury.

Lady Juliet, surprised by his reaction to her words, watched open-mouthed, as she hurried after him. For Saltaire of all people to behave so. It was better than a play, and all on behalf of his dowdy little wife, for whom he didn’t even care.

Andover’s sharp eyes saw trouble approaching. He tried to steer Lavinia out of the way, but the intervention of a portly gentleman crossing their path at the strategic moment prevented their escape. By the time they had extricated themselves, Saltaire at his most demonical, the long green eyes glinting in the lamplight, was facing them. Lavinia saw him and froze within the Marquis’s arm. Instinctively her eyes flew to her companion’s in panic, and neither man missed her involuntary action. Andover tightened her hold on her shoulder, and Saltaire moved forward, his eyes glittering strangely.

“So, Madam wife, I trust you are enjoying yourself?” he asked bitingly, his eyes dropping to her torn bodice, as instinctively her hands rose to cover the torn garment.

“Most affecting,” he sneered, his mouth white. “Well, Andover, if you would care to release my wife, I shall take her home so that she can change her gown.”

“Saltaire, you don’t understand,” broke in Lavinia.

“Oh, I think I understand all too well, Madam.”

Lavinia could only hang her head in shame at the insinuating tone of his voice, whilst Lady Juliet tittered, “Lud, Saltaire, the girl looks as if she has had an accident with a rose bush or some such thing.”

Covered with mortification and unwilling to explain the whole in full view of such a battery of interested eyes, Lavinia could only reply in constricted tones. “I fear there has been a slight accident, a man …”‘ She shuddered, and was unable to continue.

Andover broke in crisply. Not even to gain the satisfaction of seeing Saltaire’s pride humbled could he let the girl be subjected to this treatment. “Now is neither the time nor the place to discuss what has happened. If I were you, Saltaire, I should take your wife home. I fear she has had a great shock. She was attacked on the Long Walk. Fortunately I was at hand.”

“Fortunately indeed,” sneered the Earl. white hot temper blazing from his eyes. “Perhaps. Madam, you would care to explain just what you were doing here in the first place?”

Now that her first relief at being rescued so quickly had died away, Lavinia was starting to suffer from shock. Her limbs trembled dreadfully. Had it not been for the Marquis supporting her, she doubted if she could have stood up at all. She was in no state to weigh her words. “I was looking for Kitty,” she began weakly, her teeth chattering.

“I see,” said the Earl sarcastically. “You were looking for Kitty. Kitty had come out to take the air or some such thing, I take it?”

Lavinia looked round, a hunted expression on her face, twisting her hands nervously. “I fear you don’t understand. If we might return to Grosvenor Square, I could then explain.”

“Oh be sure you will, Madam,” he threatened darkly. “When I am good and ready.”

Andover, prompted by a devil, interrupted. “There, Saltaire, make yourself easy, I am only too happy to escort your Countess to Grosvenor Square.”

What might have ensued Lavinia was never to know, for at that moment Kitty and Richard, hand in hand, with dazed expressions on their faces, wandered up. Richard saw them first and hurried forward with a smile on his face, hastily wiped off as he saw his sister. “My God, Lavinia, what’s happened?”

The Marquis answered for her, whilst the Earl looked on sardonically. ‘°Yiour sister has been attacked in the Long Walk.” He broke off seeing Richard’s expression, “No, she’s all right now.”

Kitty ran up, instantly remorseful, flinging her arms round the older girl. “Oh, Lavinia, I’m so sorry. If I had not been so silly.”

“But your little ploy worked?” managed Lavinia with a shaky laugh.

Kitty was radiant, and Lavinia felt a small pang of envy; would she ever feel such happiness? Kitty smiled briefly, looking instinctively towards Richard, “Yes indeed, poor Richard. He will never escape me now.”

Andover, summing up the situation in one brief comprehensive glance, bowed and released Lavinia, “Well, no doubt I can leave you safely in your brother’s hands.” There was a deliberate emphasis on the word “brother” that did not go unnoticed by the rest of the company. Lavinia, trying to keep her limbs from trembling, thanked him shyly. “If you had not happened along when you did …”

He shrugged depreciatingly, “If it had not been me no doubt it would have been someone else. But I thank the fates that gave me the opportunity to be your rescuer.”

“Very pretty,” sneered Saltaire, as Andover gave him a mocking glance.

“Well, Saltaire, I take my leave of you, but doubtless we shall meet again at the ball you are to give.” He bowed again, raising Lavinia’s hand to his lips in a manner which drew a sentimental smile from Kitty, and a dark scowl from the Earl. “Until then, Countess. Every minute will seem like a day,” he assured her.

For a second no-one spoke as they watched him walk jauntily down the avenue. Lavinia took a deep breath and turned to face her husband. “If you will excuse me. Saltaire, we will leave you to your”-she gave Juliet one brief contemptuous glance- “pleasures.”

“Not so fast, My Lady.” An iron hand gripped her already bruised wrist. “I am coming with you, I wish to have a talk with you.”

Even these ominous words scarcely registered. Lavinia was beyond such fears now.

Juliet, outrage written clearly on her features, stared open mouthed, and stamped her foot, as she watched Saltaire disappearing with his wife It was past all bearing. People were already staring at her in amusement, by tomorrow it would be all over London. God, how she hated him.

There was complete silence inside the coach. Kitty and Richard sat together, exchanging loving looks. Lavinia, every muscle tensed and aching, huddled into a corner, as far from her husband as possible. At last Kitty spoke, albeit a little uneasily. “Lavinia. are you sure you are all right? You look dreadfully pale. I vow. I don’t know how you can be so brave. Had it been me who was attacked I swear I should have died with shock.”

“Instead of which it appears my dear wife quite enjoyed the experience,” sneered the Earl.

Lavinia felt rather than saw Richard tense, and stretched out a pleading hand. “No, Richard, let it be. Saltaire may think what he wishes.” Her voice was completely toneless even dispirited, causing Richard and Kitty to exchange worried glances. Seeing their concern, Lavinia tried to put aside her own misery. “Tell me then, things are all right between you now?” She laughed a little shakily, “Not that I need to ask.”

Richard brightened, “Yes.”‘ He gave Kitty a fond glance. “To be sure I have remonstrated with her. Such a foolish plan.”

Kitty giggled. “Poor James, I fear he came off the worst. However, I have promised him an extra ten guineas. His poor face.”

“‘What happened to him?” enquired Lavinia.

Anxious to take her mind off her recent misadventures, Richard and Kitty launched into a detailed, and on Kitty’s part, highly colourful explanation. “When I think what might have happened!” exclaimed Richard. “Why you might have been …” His features hardened as he realised the infelicity of his remark, but Lavinia managed blithely enough. “Yes, Kitty, you sec what chanced to befall me.”

“Oh, Lavinia, if I had not done it, you would not have come out after me, and then none of this would have happened to you.”

“However, you and Richard would not be together now, so let us forget it.”

Saltaire eyed them sardonically. “Kitty is but a child. You, Madam wife, should have known better than to go out unescorted. Have you no sense, or perhaps the thought of your lover’s arms proved too tempting?”

They were outside the house now, and Lavinia did not wait to reply. Before even Richard could assist her she sprang up and half running, flew into the house, in full view of the astonished servants.

Saltaire, giving his hand to Kitty, received a fulminating glare from the younger girl. “There, see what you have done. How could you be so cruel? Poor Lavinia.” She turned to Richard, new dignity on her young face, “Pray excuse me, Richard. I must go to Lavinia.”

Richard placed a restraining hand on her arm, shaking his head, “No, Kitty, leave her. She would prefer it that way I’m sure.” Richard bowed stiffly to the Earl, “If you will permit me the use of your bookroom, there are one or two matters I wish to discuss regarding my betrothal to Kitty.”

Saltaire’s eyebrows rose. “It’s a very formal young cockerel now. I’m not the girl’s guardian.”

“No, but you stand for her grandfather.”

The Earl shrugged. “Make what plans you will, but don’t involve me. Write to the girl’s grandfather. I am sure he will be glad to get her off his hands,” he added callously.

Richard would not unbend. “Believe me, Sir, if you were not my sister’s husband …”

“You would what?” he taunted. “Call me out?”

Richard said nothing.

Saltaire smiled cruelly, “Young puppy, if you were foolish enough to call me out, I would kill you. Is that what you want? Remember this, Richard, Lavinia is my wife. I will not have her flaunt herself abroad with Andover or anyone else. As for that rigmarole about being attacked.” He shrugged, his face unpleasant. “Surely you are not so green that you don’t know that bruises can be caused in many ways?”

Helplessly Richard and Kitty watched as Saltaire left the room, “Shall I go to her Richard?”

He shook his head. “No, Kitty, we cannot interfere.” He sat down with his head in his hands. “It is all my fault. If only I had not gambled so foolishly.”