Dare to Love (30 page)

“And I would need it completed”—he paused a beat—“for tonight.”

The man’s mouth dropped in alarm. He quickly snapped it shut and narrowed his eyes in thought. “Tonight?” Circling Dare with measured steps, he evaluated his form, seeming to take special note of his broad shoulders straining the fabric of his charcoal grey jacket. “An outfit for tonight that is daring, yet restrained, hmmm…” He returned to face front, crossing his arms and tapping his chin with his long slender fingers.

“You are not the usual shape for such clothes,
non
? This fashion is more tailored for a man less…how you say…solid. They are usually more effeminate, no?

Dare shrugged, uncomfortable at the man’s intense scrutiny. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all. He was on the verge of withdrawing the request when the tailor suddenly clapped his hands. The eager glint in his eye sent a cold shiver down Dare’s spine.

“Ah, yes, Pierre has just the thing! Wait here,
s’il vous plait
, I will return.”

He flew into the back room and emerged a moment later with a coat the color of grape hyacinths.

He held it up and explained, “This was specially designed for a certain gentleman of larger proportions. His lady friend had a penchant for purple, and I created several suits for him during their…ah…how you say…association.”

He shrugged. “The relationship recently ended and he no longer requires the jacket. I think it is quite large enough to fit your physique with very little alteration.”

He removed Dare’s jacket and helped him into the coat. “We nip it in at the waist here and we shorten it like so.” His hands tugged at the fabric briskly.

“Ah, then we add this…” He darted over to a chest of small drawers and pulled out a handful of buttons and gewgaws, and skipped back. Pursing his lips, he held up the various options for consideration.

Feeling quite embarrassed, Dare just stood there trying not to flinch…until the Frenchman let out another squeal. “
Mon dieu!
Pierre, you are a genius. Why did I not think of it sooner?” He sashayed back into the storeroom and returned dragging an assistant with a monstrosity of color over his arm.

“Come. We will create the perfect look for a friend of Lord Duxbury. Nothing too extravagant, I assure you,” he said with a smirk. “Except for the price, no? Such a rush job, it will cost you,
comprenez-vous
?

“
Oui, je comprends.
Just make sure it is ready for this evening.”

“
Oui. Oui
my lord.”

Lord and Lady Duxbury were greeting late arrivals to the party when Dare made his entrance. Briar was conversing with an elderly gentleman and Joseph was standing idly by. As Dare approached, Joseph gave him a vague smile before gasping in surprise.

“Landis! Good God, is that you? What are you wearing?”

Dare smirked, bowing to his friend. “Why Joseph, this is my new wardrobe. Do you like it?” He affected the pose of a preening dandy, enjoying the shocked expression still affixed to his friend’s face.

Then Joseph broke out in a grin. “I adore it! What possessed you?”

“It’s your birthday. I thought I might give homage to your fashion sense. Is it too much, do you think?”

“No, no, it’s perfect.” He tugged on his wife’s arm and announced, “Darling, look at what Landis has worn for me.”

Briar turned and burst into laughter. “Oh, is that is why you had to run off today? Now I understand. You look quite remarkable.”

That was certainly the word for it. He was wearing the purple jacket with blue silk buttons. His starched white cravat billowed from his chin to a multi-hued waistcoat made up of blue, green, and purple ribbons. It appeared he’d been entrapped by drunken maypole dancers. He’d finished off the outfit with dark blue breeches and tasseled boots. Pierre had declared him
“tres magnifique!”
Dare could only imagine what Frances’ horrified response would be.

Tugging on his arm, Joseph urged him, “Come, let us join the festivities. I cannot wait to see everyone’s reaction. You have ensured that people will be talking about my party for months.”

Yes, they would. Dare shuddered. He pulled out his snuffbox to steady himself and then headed into the crowded room.

Graves was the first to approach him. “What the deuce have you got on, Landis?”

“I thought I’d give Duxbury a taste of his own medicine.”

“Poison, is more like it,” he scoffed.

“Well, I love it,” Joseph interjected. “In fact, I may have something similar made.”

“Too bad it won’t look as attractive on you as it does me,” Dare said with a smirk.

As Joseph feigned a pout, Dare excused himself and crossed the room. He had spotted William near the terrace doors and was eager to get some of the evening’s unpleasantness out of the way. He pretended not to notice the stares his presence caused, rippling through the room as he swept through.

Planting himself boldly in front of his oldest friend, he glared, as though daring him to walk away. Judging by the look on the man’s face, he was considering just that.

“Yes?” William spat out a single word.

Willing his voice to remain steady, Dare looked into his eyes and gave the speech he had been rehearsing for hours. “William, I am a blackguard of the first order. Your wife is a charming woman who loves you dearly and I had no right to accuse her of treachery. I realize I behaved abysmally and the only excuse I can offer is that, after a week of endless romance and familial affection, on top of being shot, I succumbed to a moment of insanity. Regardless, I have no excuse for insulting you or her. I pray you will accept my apology and forgive me.”

He swallowed hard, watching his friend, trying to gauge his reaction. He was fully prepared to take a blow if it came to that. He deserved nothing less. Therefore, he didn’t flinch when he saw William’s arm come towards him. But instead, he found himself engulfed in an uncomfortably solid hug.

“You insolent bastard. I have no idea why I put up with your outrageous behavior, but I confess, I’ve missed you beyond measure. God help me.” He released his grip a moment before pulling Dare back into a hug. “Betsy will be furious, and I may spend a month sitting alone at the dinner table, but yes, I forgive you.”

Dare knees went weak. Never had he expected to feel such a flood of relief. He smiled and thumped his friend on the back. “All right you pathetic sot. Now keep your hands to yourself or I’ll have to go insult another family member,” he growled, causing William to chuckle.

Drawing back, an unexpected sentence burst from his lips. “Would it help if I apologized to your wife?”

“Ho, no!” A grin crossed William’s face. “I never told her what you said. She just knows you crossed a line, and she thought nothing of giving you a cut direct on my behalf. I think it best if I smooth things over with her.”

Dare breathed a sigh of relief. “As you wish.”

Grabbing two glasses from a passing footman, he asked, hopefully, “Friends?”

William clinked his glass. “For now, you rotter.”

Eager to put this unpleasantness behind them, Dare gave an abashed grin and steered the conversation onto more familiar ground. “Now, William, tell me about Hades. Is he truly faster than Acheron? I’ve never won with a grey horse and I hesitate to place too big a wager on him.”

As anticipated, William launched into a description of his colt’s bloodline, detailing the advantages over its closest foe. Dare stood there, content, as the ordinariness of the evening washed over him. He exhaled with relief. Knots in his shoulders he hadn’t even realized were there, slowly released. It didn’t take long before his friends followed William’s lead and joined the conversation.

Dare struggled to maintain a dignified demeanor as they took turns taunting his attire, but eventually even he succumbed to laughter. He’d never enjoyed humiliation more.

With that trial over with, he was anxious to address his other problem. He spotted Nivea across the room. Wearing a brazen gown of bronze, her bodice was low enough to display a tempting expanse of succulent white skin. Not the only one to notice, a few conniving gentlemen had circled her. And worse yet, she was smiling back at them.

Joseph’s words echoed in his head.
If you don’t apologize, she may turn to someone else.
He could not allow that to happen.

Making his excuses, he skirted the room and placed himself in an alcove, strategically located between Nivea and the lemonade. It was a warm evening and she was sure to need a drink soon. He just hoped she was alone when she decided to approach. He wasn’t at all sure what her reaction would be, but he was fairly certain it wouldn’t be pleasant. He just hoped he could find the words to make it up to her.

For once, luck was with him. He heard her ask her companions if they cared to join her for a refreshment. They declined, choosing instead to go mingle.

As she headed toward the table, Dare stepped forward and she barreled right into him.

“Excuse me, milord. I didn’t see anyone there,” she exclaimed into his chest.

It wasn’t until she stepped back and realized it was him that she recoiled. He couldn’t have her escape before he could apologize, so he hastily grabbed her arm.

Ahh, the scent of vanilla. That’s what he’d missed. What he’d craved. As she gazed up at him, her eyes wide with alarm, he realized just how lovely she was. Curvy and soft and sweet. He
had
to make her forgive him. Somehow.

She tugged her arm once. Twice. Then her lips compressed and her lashes fluttered shut as she struggled to regain her composure.

Then she slowly raised her eyes, taking in his tasseled boots, beribboned waistcoat, and violent purple jacket. Once her gaze fixed on his face…she burst out laughing. “Lord Landis, I did not realize this was a costume party.”

That was embarrassing. He’d forgotten he was attired like a frivolous fop. With a sheepish shrug, he responded, “I thought I’d give Joseph a birthday treat. I had this made up in his honor.”

Nivea’s brows flew up in surprise. Then her eyes grew soft, and an engaging smile curled up the corner of her mouth. “What an uncommonly nice gesture. It is rare that you would risk your dignity for a friend. I’m sure he loved it.”

Dare flushed. She was pleased by his actions. A whole host of unfamiliar emotions washed over him—happiness, even contentment. This is what he had been missing.

He
had
to put things to right. “Nivea,” he started, his voice low and urgent, “please allow me a moment of your time.”

She looked wary, but didn’t step away. Encouraged by that, he held out his hand and guided her into the alcove for some privacy. His heart was pounding so hard, it was like horses were galloping through his chest.

As she stared up at him with those wide, blue eyes, he tried to remember the words he had carefully crafted through the week. But once he had her hand in his, felt the warmth of her touch, he knew he must speak from the heart. “Nivea, I hardly know what to say. I have no excuse for my behavior. I had no right to speak to you as I did, and once again, I must beg your forgiveness.”

He paused, hoping she would say something. Give him a hint as to whether she was amenable to his apology or squaring up to slap him. But her gaze had fixed on his hideous beribboned waistcoat, and he couldn’t read her expression.

Well, there was no getting around it. He would have to press on. “Nivea, you have been nothing but kind to me, and yet I have treated you abominably. I had no right to accuse you of the things I did, and I am deeply sorry.”

Now came the truly difficult part. “As I’m sure you have guessed, I am not comfortable speaking about my personal life, and confiding in you was very…disconcerting. There are precious few people I trust in this world, and I foolishly decided you were not worthy of that honor. I now realize it is I who am unworthy. I hope you can forgive me. I…I value your friendship and do not want us to be on bad terms.”

There. He’d done it. He’d laid his soul bare.

Afraid it had not been enough, Dare was unable to face her. So, he stood there, focusing on her gloved hand resting in his. How he wished he could touch her skin, feel her pulse, know if it was racing as fast as his. He could hardly breathe.

Then she reached up and stroked his cheek. “Oh Dare, of course I forgive you. Who knows better than I what you’ve been through? I’m just glad you’ve come back to us.”

Oh, thank God.
He exhaled so violently, the wisps of hair around her face stirred.

She chuckled at that, her smile inviting. She looked at him with such a warm, gentle expression, he wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless. But then, she stepped back. “I heard that you made up with William.”

Her pink cheeks betrayed her. She was affected by him too. But she was determined to keep their conversation proper. He could play that game too. For now.

“Did you? Word travels fast.”

“Yes, it does. I was also informed that no one had ever heard you apologize before, and they were quite sure you were going to choke on your tongue.”

“Oh, really?” He attempted to glare at her, until he saw the delightful smile that had crept up her face. “Did that please you?”

“That you almost choked? A little.” She laughed, before confessing, “But I am so glad you did. William has missed you dreadfully, you know.”

“And you? Did you miss me?” Dare was appalled at the neediness in his voice. He could not remember ever missing a woman before. Or caring whether she had missed him.

Thankfully, she whispered, “Yes, I did.”

Keeping his eyes averted, so she wouldn’t see the remnants of fear in his eyes, he asked, “So, we can be friends?”

“I’d like that.” And she squeezed his hand.

Euphoria washed over him, driving away the odd prickly feeling that had seeped into his bones. It took every ounce of self control not to crush her to him. How could he have stayed away from her for so long? He wanted more. He wanted to wrap around her, press her against the wall, and plunge into her once again.

Fortunately, the butler took that moment to announce that dinner was being served. He could escape without causing any more harm. Or so he thought, until Nivea leaned forward and in a surprisingly sultry voice asked, “Lord Landis, do friends escort each other into dinner?”