Bought: The Penniless Lady (17 page)

“I did indeed.” A shadow of past distress dimmed Genia’s eyes for a moment. Then a blaze of remembered strength and triumph lit them brighter than ever. “I believe Laura did, too. And after what you have accomplished already, I am certain you can.”

She had accomplished a great deal, Artemis realized as she looked back over the past weeks, both with Hadrian and with herself. It had not been easy, but the rewards had been worth the struggle. And the struggle had made the rewards even sweeter.

Did she have the courage to fight all the ghosts from Hadrian’s past and her own, for the sweetest reward of all?

“I say, Jasper.” Hadrian took advantage of finding the young viscount sitting by himself reading the newspapers, rather than enjoying a flirtatious argument with Susannah Penrose. “There’s some place I’d like you to see,
if you wouldn’t mind taking a drive with me. Artemis thought you might find it of interest.”

Jasper looked up from his paper with an eager glint in his eyes. “Will the ladies be joining us?”

“Just you and me, I’m afraid.” Hadrian strove to suppress a knowing smile. Did the fellow not realize how obviously he was smitten with Ford’s pretty sister-in-law? “Where I plan to take you…it’s not a very agreeable sight for ladies.”

Before Jasper could reply, Ford and Blade strolled into the drawing room, back from an afternoon ride.

“That sounds intriguing.” Blade broke into a sly grin. “Where are you planning to take our young friend, Hadrian?”

“Can we come along?” asked Ford.

“It’s only a local colliery.” Hadrian wished the pair of them had stayed out riding a little longer. “I doubt you’d find it of much interest.”

Ford shrugged. “It will be a novelty to me. With all the new industries running on coal-fired engines, it is something I should learn more about.”

“Very true,” said Blade.

Hadrian cudgeled his brains for an excuse to put his friends off without offending them. He had resigned himself to telling Jasper how he’d once lived and what had happened to his family. But Ford and Blade had long known him as a successful man of business. He wasn’t sure he wanted them acquainted with the details of his early life.

Then he fancied he could hear Artemis whispering in his thoughts, reminding him that his old friends were now peers with seats in the House of Lords. If they took an
interest in the plight of young mine workers, their influence could be a great asset.

“Stay or come as you like,” he muttered. “I warn you it’ll be no pleasure excursion.”

The pair of them were obstinate enough that his reluctance made them all the more determined to go.

An hour later, the four men were on the road to the Stanehead Colliery, near the Northumberland border.

“Do you mean to keep us in suspense?” asked Blade. “Or are you going to tell us why you want Ashbury to see this coal mine?”

Hadrian inhaled a deep breath and forced himself to speak. “Jasper is an abolitionist. I thought he might care to know there are children as young as six spending most of their lives below ground, cut off from fresh air and sunshine, exposed to dangerous conditions that maim and kill many every year. They are not slave children in some distant colony, but native British, born and bred, enslaved by their poverty and ignorance.”

“
Six
years old?” Blade repeated as if he’d misheard. “Surely not!”

“If you don’t believe me,” said Hadrian, “you can see for yourselves when we get to Stanehead. The shift should just be coming up.”

“If it’s true it is an outrage!” The words burst out of Jasper. “Why have I heard nothing of it until now?”

“Because people like you never go to places like Stanehead or Fellbank or Kellsend. And because so few people ever get out of those places to tell their stories. Even when they do, they may think you won’t care.”

That kept all three of the others quiet for a minute or two. Then Ford ventured to ask, “Hadrian, how do
you
come to know so much about all this?”

“Because I started work as a trapper when I was eight years old—sitting in the dark from six in the morning until six at night, opening and closing the ventilation doors. After a couple of years I got big enough to become a putter—crawling through the tunnels on my hands and knees, hauling corves full of coal with a girdle harnessed around my waist.”

The unspoken revulsion of his companions hung over the carriage like a thick cloud of noxious gas. And they hadn’t heard the worst. If he stopped now, Hadrian feared he might never be able to speak of it to them again.

He forced himself to continue as he knew Artemis would urge him if she were there. “When I was seventeen, my father and four of my brothers were killed by a gas explosion, along with thirty-three others. At the time of their deaths, the eldest of my brothers was fourteen and the youngest was eight. In another year Julian would have been down there with them. If an injury had not kept me from work that day, so would I.”

“Good God, man!” Ford broke the stunned hush that greeted Hadrian’s confession. “You’ve never mentioned a word of this to me in all the time I’ve known you. I thought we were friends.”

“We are,” said Hadrian, relieved by his response. “It is not something I care to talk about, or remember. But I reckon it is necessary to speak of now, if it might prevent the same thing from happening to others.

“And you need not take my word alone,” he added,
nodding toward a cluster of pit cottages ranged on either side of the road ahead. “You can see and hear for yourselves from the young ones who are about to come off their shift.”

He had timed it well. As they drew near the pithead, the mine began disgorging its captives. They were blacker than tinkers and all seemed to walk with a stoop, a limp or an exhausted shuffle. Fortunately, there was still enough light for Hadrian’s companions to see how small some of the children were.

“Girls, too?” Blade muttered a curse. “Some of them look no bigger than our Theo.”

Jasper vaulted out of the carriage and waded among the workers, firing off questions about their ages, hours, wages and tasks they performed. Most of the adults gave him a wide berth and dark looks, but many of the children answered with brutal honesty.

By the time he returned to the carriage, he was bristling with indignation. “This cannot be allowed to continue! Not in our day and age.”

“Is there anything you can do, Ashbury?” asked Ford.

“I shall raise some pointed questions during the next session of Parliament,” replied Jasper. “But there is so much badly needed legislation that has no hope of passing until Parliament itself is reformed. You must know the power of the forces arrayed against that.”

Both Ford and Blade gave dispirited nods.

“So that’s it, then?” His lip curled in a disgusted sneer, Hadrian turned the carriage back toward Edenhall. “You’re not even going to try because it might take a bit of effort? I should have known. This place is owned by the Earl of
Jarrow—a crony of yours, no doubt. Lord Gateshead and Lord Bournemore made their fortunes from Durham coal, as well. You wouldn’t want to risk offending those fine gentlemen. I tried to tell Artemis that with Julian gone, his son is our only hope of changing things.”

Jasper began to protest, but Ford broke in. “Was
this
why you spent every spare penny on your brother—sent him to the best schools, pushed him into politics?”

“That’s right.” Hadrian softened his tone a little. Discouraged as he was by the others’ response, he didn’t want to destroy a friendship so recently mended. “You could say it was the reason I set out to make my fortune.”

He glanced back at Ford, only to glimpse a look of deep chagrin on his partner’s face. Had Ford’s ambition sprung from some less noble motive?

“We must do
something,
” insisted Jasper. “Otherwise the prosperity of this century will be built on the backs of those children, as that of the last was built on the backs of slaves.”

“Well said, Ashbury!” cried Blade. “You must use that line during your speech in the Commons. I fear this will be a long fight. Just think how many years it took the abolitionists to see any results.”

Ford heaved a sigh. “And remember how they’ve been attacked by their opponents—branded as traitors and halfmad revolutionaries.”

“I’ve been called worse than that.” Blade gave a derisive chuckle. “And not in such a good cause, either. Count me in for whatever I can do.”

“And me,” said Ford. “I am all for progress, but not at this price.”

For a moment, Hadrian did not dare speak, lest his voice break. But he soon regained his composure enough to say, “It seems Artemis was right about you lot after all.”

Blade laughed and slapped him on the back. “When you’ve been married a bit longer, you’ll discover wives are always right.”

H
ad she done right to tell Hadrian’s friends that he and Cousin Jasper were planning an excursion? Artemis watched anxiously for the men to return that evening.

She knew Ford had a good heart and cared about the welfare of his tenants. Surely he could not help but be moved by the plight of the young miners? And Blade was so devoted to his young son. How could he fail to picture Theo laboring under such conditions? With two such influential peers supporting him, Cousin Jasper would stand a much better chance of making headway in his efforts to bring about reform.

But how would Hadrian feel about having to reveal the tragic details of his past to more people? And what if she’d been mistaken in her belief that his friends would be willing to help? Would it create a new, deeper breach between them? And would he blame her for forcing the issue, destroying any hope of winning his wary, battered heart? Those worries plagued Artemis as she dressed for dinner.

The muted clatter of horses’ hooves and the distant
sound of men’s voices sent her flying to the window, her heart thudding against her short stays. She glimpsed the four-wheeled trap coming up the lane, its passengers talking eagerly together. If they were still on speaking terms, surely that was a good sign.

Struggling not to let her hopes get too high, she sent her lady’s maid off and stood with her bedroom door slightly ajar to watch for Hadrian. The moment she caught sight of him striding up the gallery, looking ruggedly handsome and pleased with the world, Artemis could not restrain herself.

“How did it go?” She sprang out into his path. “Is Jasper willing to help? And the others?”

He started at her sudden appearance and checked his brisk stride. Even so, he might have knocked her down had he not possessed the presence of mind to grasp her by the arms. Though Artemis managed to catch her balance, his sudden nearness made her knees weak.

“It was a bit of a shock to them,” Hadrian answered. “But they all came around better than I ever hoped. Here, now—how did you know about Ford and Blade coming along? It was only supposed to be Jasper and me. You were behind it all, were you? I should have known.”

“I did send them your way, hoping you might take them along,” she admitted. “Are you vexed with me for interfering? I was only trying to help.”

“Vexed with you?” Hadrian pulled her into an enveloping embrace. “Don’t be daft. If we had more time before dinner, I’d whisk you back into that bedchamber and show you how pleased I am.”

Raising one hand, he tilted her chin and kissed her.
Artemis thought she’d grown accustomed to his kisses by now. But in some blissful, bewildering way, this one felt different and better than any other they had shared. Did it signify a change in his feelings toward her, even if he was not aware of it? Or had the change taken place in
her?

Before she could unravel the mystery, Hadrian released her lips and held her out at arm’s length, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. “This gown is new, isn’t it? It becomes you even better than the wine-colored one I like so well. It’s fortunate our lady guests are not the envious sort or they’d be green over how you’ll outshine them tonight!”

“Nonsense!” Artemis protested as a fiery blush flared in her cheeks. “Laura and her sisters are three of the prettiest women I ever met and you told me Genia was hailed as the most beautiful Englishwoman in India. They have nothing to fear from me.”

It was quite true, yet bubbles of delight fizzed inside of her at the notion that Hadrian considered her their equal in loveliness. She had only to peer into the silver mirror of his gaze to know his praise was sincere. Her misty-green gown with a gauzy overskirt was not vivid or dramatic, but it had an airy elegance that suited her to perfection. Between her enchanting new gown and Hadrian’s enthusiastic approval, she could not help feeling truly beautiful.

“Now,” she continued, “you must go dress for dinner. Shall I order champagne to drink a toast to our friends and the great things we hope they will achieve?”

“An excellent idea.” Hadrian drew her hand to his lips for a final kiss.

Then he walked backwards down the gallery, as if he could not bear to take his eyes off her.

It seemed to Artemis their dinner that night was the most convivial so far, perhaps because they had become so well acquainted and happily reacquainted during the past fortnight. Or perhaps the trip to Stanehead had reminded the gentlemen to relish their good fortune. Whatever the reason, their table talk flowed with high-spirited wit.

After dinner they bandied about ideas on how to pass the rest of the evening. Sidney Crawford was in favor of cards while Ford called for music. Genia suggested charades while Susannah mentioned drawing shades. To everyone’s surprise Jasper proposed dancing, which Hadrian was quick to endorse.

“A clever lad, this cousin of yours,” Hadrian murmured to Artemis as the party retired to the music room. “I did say we must find more opportunities for you to dance.”

She did not lack for opportunities that night. The ladies each took a turn playing the pianoforte for the other four couples to dance.

“You are an excellent dancer,” said Hadrian a while later, as he sat on the bench beside Artemis. “Graceful and sure of your steps.”

She cast him a playful smile as her fingers galloped over the keys, producing a jaunty melody. “This is the first time I have danced at such an informal gathering. Before, it was always at stuffy balls and assemblies with partners who were either reluctant or vastly uncongenial.”

“I am not reluctant to dance with such a charming partner.” Hadrian batted a roguish wink at her. “And I hope you do not find me vastly uncongenial these days.”

It was a heady delight, flirting with such a handsome man who was already her husband. “Quite the contrary. The better I know you, the more congenial you become.”

Leaning closer, he spoke just loud enough for her to hear over the music from the pianoforte. “Keep talking like that and I shall be in danger of vexing my friends. Almost as much danger as you were in earlier, when I first caught sight of you in this gown.”

His words sent a dark, delicious thrill through her. The warm tickle of his breath against her ear stirred a sensual flutter in her bosom and her loins. It was fortunate she was playing a very familiar piece or she might have got into a hopeless muddle.

“What danger was that exactly?” Her breath raced faster than the music.

He gave a low husky chuckle that was like a suggestive caress. “Why, the danger that I would whisk you into your bedchamber and ravish you repeatedly while our poor guests went hungry.”

That notion brought a feverish flush to her cheeks, even as it sparked an impish grin. “I’m sure Cook would have fed them sooner or later.”

“Scandalous disregard for propriety and the welfare of our guests!” Hadrian whispered in mock outrage. “When did my well-bred lady become such a shameless wanton?”

At one time his jest might have offended her, making her scurry back behind the pristine barrier of her reserve. But tonight Artemis could only relish his nearness, the
bantering caress of his voice and the fact that he had called her
his lady.

Perhaps there was hope for her to make theirs a true marriage after all, if she dared to ask for what she wanted from Hadrian.

To hell with being a good host! Hadrian darted up the main staircase following a final brandy with the other gentlemen.

Blade had suggested they share a drink after the dancing concluded and the others had all agreed. That left Hadrian with little choice but to join them when he would have much preferred to retire to bed with his beautiful wife. While the others discussed plans for political and social reform, he had sipped his brandy and pretended to listen. But his thoughts had been otherwise occupied…with Artemis.

During the second week of their house party, she had blossomed before his eyes into the woman he’d sensed she was meant to be—capable, caring and confident. She had managed the whole event with such assurance, never seeking attention but not shrinking from it, either. Though he knew better than to claim all the credit for her transformation, Hadrian congratulated himself on accomplishing what he’d set out to do.

And yet there was one consequence of this change in Artemis that he had not foreseen. It made him want her more than ever. That desire now smoldered within him as he strode down the west gallery, hoping to find her still awake and ready to welcome him into her bed.

When he reached her door, he tapped softly upon it, then waited. Receiving no answer, he knocked again, a
little louder. Still the door remained shut and his straining ears detected no sound from within. Perhaps she’d fallen asleep waiting for him.

He considered entering quietly and stealing into bed with her so they might enjoy an early-morning frolic. But fearing his uninvited arrival might disturb her, Hadrian continued on to his own chamber.

When he spied Artemis rising from his bed, Hadrian let out a gasp of the most delighted surprise. With only a sheet draped about her and her dark curls falling over her shoulders, she looked for all the world like a goddess come to life.

The sight of her so captivated him that he could scarcely speak. “I—I stopped by your room. I thought you’d gone to sleep. I never expected to find you here.”

“How could I go to sleep after you whipped up my desire with your outrageous flirting?” Holding the sheet around her, she advanced slowly toward him with a bewitching sway in her step. “Are you sorry to find me here?”

Not long ago, if she’d asked him such a question it would have betrayed her doubts about herself and him. Tonight, clearly certain of her welcome, she meant only to stir the fire beneath the simmering cauldron of their mutual attraction.

He stepped toward her, opening his arms so she might slip into them, where she fit so well. “I’ll show you how sorry I am, my Lady Temptress!”

She must have known what he had in mind, for she raised her chin and tilted her head, presenting her lips in the most unmistakable invitation to a kiss he’d ever received. Hadrian wasted no time accepting. Unable to
keep his mouth from hers, he captured her lips in a hot, hungry kiss. She welcomed the thrust of his tongue, caressing it with hers.

For several blissful moments, Hadrian was aware of nothing but the silken warmth of her mouth and her intoxicating scent. Then he felt a series of deft little tugs over his chest and realized she was unfastening the buttons on his coat. He was not accustomed to having a woman undress
him.
It made for a novel and stimulating change.

He concentrated on his amorous quest of her mouth while she finished with his coat buttons and went to work on his waistcoat. When both his outer garments had come undone, she tugged the bottom of his shirt free of his breeches and slid her hands beneath it to caress his bare chest.

He greeted her rousing touch with a sharp intake of breath that muted into a rumbling purr deep in his throat. Shrugging off his coat and waistcoat, he let them fall to the floor behind him. “I must…untie this damned cravat,” he panted, reaching up to tear apart the fastidiously tied fillets of linen, “before it throttles me!”

The instant it gave way, he pulled it off and hurled it to the floor. His shirt followed a moment later.

Whisking Artemis into his arms, he feathered her neck and shoulder with kisses as he carried her to the bed. Passion throbbed through his veins as he pried off his boots and dispatched his breeches. Then he turned his full attention back to his goddess, offering her the practiced homage of his lips and fingertips.

She did not merely accept his attentions with her usual bashful delight, but stoked his desire with admiring caresses.

“You are splendid,” she whispered, rubbing her body against his, “beyond anything I ever imagined a man could be. You make me feel like a true love goddess…or perhaps a nymph, cavorting with her lusty satyr.”

“You are trying to make me lose control of myself, with talk like that.” Hadrian rolled onto his back, flipping her up to straddle his belly. “But you will not succeed. I am determined to take my time and leave us both well and truly sated.”

Sated enough to last them all the years they would be apart? a plaintive little voice cried out from its prison in the deepest reaches of his heart. Ruthlessly he silenced it. He would not permit looming clouds on the horizon to mar his enjoyment of present pleasures. Artemis seemed content with their arrangement—why should he not be?

Desperate to distract himself from any more such thoughts, Hadrian embarked upon his quest to make this a night they would both remember for a very long time.

After they had dallied together for what seemed like hours, more than once rousing each other to the brink of ecstasy before easing off to prolong their pleasure, neither could bear to hold back any longer. Arching her hips to meet him, urging him on with a soft mew of need, Artemis took the hard, potent part of him into the secret, vulnerable part of her. This time he was certain she did not suffer even the faintest twinge of pain, but shared his primal delight, culminating in wave after wave of searing, shuddering rapture.

It was he who felt the sting later when he withdrew from inside her and they were no longer one.

Hadrian had certainly kept his promise. As Artemis lay in his arms afterward, a secretive little smile hovered on her lips. She was well and truly sated. Echoes of pleasure still rippled through her body as she recalled the exquisite caresses of his lips and tongue, the gentle eagerness with which he’d fondled her breasts.

Yet, as pleasurable the sport was she had enjoyed with Hadrian, to her it represented something more. When she’d stroked his skin, run her fingers through his hair and nuzzled his neck, she’d been trying to communicate so many feelings she could not bring herself to express in words.

Her compassion for all the hardships he had suffered. Her respect for the courage, ambition and tenacity that lifted him so far above his humble beginnings. Her admiration for his efforts to right a great wrong. Her envy of his wit and zest for life. Did all those things together add up to love? If, as Artemis suspected, they did, then this passionate encounter truly had been
lovemaking.