Improper Pleasures (The Pleasure Series #1) (13 page)

Obviously, she didn’t know about the maid or she most
definitely wouldn’t have winked, he decided. “I’ll do what I can. I pride
myself on keeping private matters private.” Of course, if Phillina knew how
many private matters he’d had to keep private, she’d probably not be asking him
to help a lady with a delicate matter.

“The matter concerns Astra.”

“What about Astra?” He sat up abruptly, showing his
interest before he could stop himself.

“No, nothing shameful.”

James studied his callused palms. Lady Phillina could read
him too well. He’d have to remember that.

“You must promise that you’ll not mention this to Astra.
Though she is my daughter-in-law, my regard for her goes beyond that. I think
of her as my own daughter. And her own mother…well, you’ve met Lynette…”

“Go on, Lady Phillina.” James stopped feigning disinterest
and met her suddenly direct brown gaze. “You can trust me. I give you my word I
won’t mention our conversation to Astra.”

“Well, the truth of the matter is Astra is fearful of
men.”

James blinked, unable to answer. The Astra that came to
his study last night had definitely had her wits about her. Or had she? His
suspicions that there might be more going on with Astra’s offer to be his
mistress was beginning to take shape, but not as he’d expected. The mystery of
Astra’s hasty marriage and daughter’s somewhat early birth became suddenly
less  mysterious and more sinister.

Lady Phillina shrugged at his stunned expression,
hopefully taking it for surprise rather than anything having to do with his
interest in Astra. “Not that she has told me as much, but I’ve known Astra
since she was a girl. She can be a little cautious in mixed company. Not that I
can blame her after everything she has endured.”

“What exactly has she endured?” He suddenly recalled
Astra’s desperation in the study when he had hesitated in accepting her
proposition. He thought her reaction had more to do with her need to hold on to
her position at Eastlan rather than actual rejection. And, yes, pompous as he
was, he assumed she’d been upset at his withdrawal because she had been swept
off her feet by his amorous expertise.

The glow faded from Lady Phillina’s face. “She lost her
father in her early teens. Lynette didn’t bother with a coming out because,
well, we assumed she would marry someone local. When Astra finally married
Lowell, I was not completely surprised theirs was more a comfortable friendship
than a love affair.”

“Was Lowell not the man you expected Astra to marry?” James
definitely did not like the idea that Astra had a living, breathing love match
in the vicinity even if it were in the past. “It wasn’t Wesley, was it?”

“No, though Wesley no doubt was smitten with Astra early
on. They all grew up together, you see. Lowell and Astra were more like brother
and sister than sweethearts, in my observation. I had hoped that would change
once Lowell regained his strength, but it never happened.”

As Lady Phillina clenched her hands together, James felt
guilty forcing her to speak of things that obviously upset her. He gripped Lady
Phillina’s shoulder and she instantly brightened.

“That’s why I think her teaching you how to act at the
ball will be good for her too. She hasn’t been to a dance in years herself.”

“I promise I won’t be a difficult pupil.”

“Of course, you won’t. But I was thinking that you should
treat Astra more like a suitor.”

James sat back. He needed to keep his affair with Astra
free of that sort of thing at all cost, and now Lady Phillina was suggesting
otherwise. “She might think I was being too forward.”

Lady Phillina waved his objections away. “I don’t think a
woman alive would be insulted by your attentions.”

“What if she gets the wrong idea? Lady Phillina, I am not
ready for a wife and—” He stopped himself from telling Lady Phillina that he
intended to return to the sea and America the moment he could. No, he’d let her
get her health back before he gave her another reason to be sad.

“If anyone knows her place, it’s Astra. At her age, I
don’t doubt she’s aware of her need to find an older husband. Of course, at
almost thirty she could still have children, but a man who needed an heir would
wish for a younger wife. But, not to worry. I’m loading the deck with more
eligible men than women. And I want Astra to glow at the ball. What better way
to accomplish that than to be a woman who knows her appeal? She’ll be that much
more attractive to the older men, don’t you see? A conquest always seems to
bring out the competitive nature. I think it’s a grand plan!”

James found himself absurdly disturbed by the idea of the
need for Astra to find an older, suitable man to wed. “I wasn’t aware that
Astra…intended to remarry.”

“Oh, she is still resistant, but she shouldn’t remain a
widow. She was a wonderful wife to my son, but she deserves a husband who is
healthy and robust. Though no longer the cream of the crop, she is still young
and beautiful. I certainly don’t wish for her to live the rest of her life
alone.”

James realized Astra had the same idea, but she planned to
accomplish it in a much different manner than Phillina imagined.

Lady Phillina’s silence forced James from his troubled
thoughts, but not before the older woman had plenty of time to register his
obvious turmoil. James shrugged, hoping she’d take his reticence for confusion.
“As you know, I don’t know the proper etiquette for courting an English lady.
What would you have me do exactly?”

This time, Lady Phillina patted his hand. “Oh James, I
already know you are a consummate flirt. When you’re dancing, hold her the way
a man holds a woman he’s interested in. Maybe a little too close, hmmm?”

James felt himself blush slightly. It was embarrassing
getting romantic instruction from Lady Phillina. But he supposed he needed it.
If Astra actually wanted a man in her life, perhaps he should not take her up
on her offer. Damn it, he’d hoped to not come to his senses so quickly. In
light of calling off their arrangement before it had begun, their encounter
last night was now to be mere torture rather than a prelude to something
ultimately more satisfying.

“And perhaps escort her for a stroll in the garden after
dinner. Steal a kiss?”

James adamantly shook his head at Lady Phillina’s last
comment. If he kissed Astra again, he knew what he would do next. “I fear then
I
would get the wrong idea. Lady Phillina, you have entirely too much faith
in me. I’m no lad.”

“Oh dear, I’ve said too much.” Lady Phillina pressed her
fingers to her lips and her cheeks reddened. “I apologize if I’ve offended you.
Of course, you are a grown man with a grown man’s needs. Say no more.”

James wished he had said less. Talking about his “needs”
with Lady Phillina was appalling. “You haven’t offended me. It’s just that I’m
afraid I’ll offend Astra.”

“Perhaps, but she needs to accept the idea of being
courted if she’s to find a husband. You, being so young, seem a safe choice,
that’s all.”

“I’ll do what I can,” he finally said to lure Lady Phillina
off the subject of a romantic liaison between him and Astra. Though, their
conversation gave him much to take up with Astra at their next meeting. Last
night, Astra mentioned she’d been hurt before.  He thought she alluded to the
loss of her husband. Now he wasn’t sure. If he said yes to her proposal, he
might be taking advantage of her and if he said no, he feared he would be doing
irreparable damage to her pride with his rejection. Because, he suddenly concluded
that someone in her past had likely rejected her.

“Wonderful. I know you’d not refuse a lady in distress.
Let’s go down. Astra’s been waiting all day.”

James stood and scooped Phillina into his arms without further
invitation. Her squeal of delight warned him she knew exactly what tangled web
she weaved between he and Astra.

Astra didn’t try to hide her admiration for James as he
settled Lady Phillina gently on a padded arm chair brought into the ballroom.
Though she never voiced her fears, she wondered if Lady Phillina might never
leave her room again. And that she would do so in preparation for a ball was
nothing short of a miracle.

Her mother rushed into the large saloon cleared of
furniture, skirts billowing in her wake like a deep mauve wind. Apparently, the
idea of being left out altogether overcame her mother’s anger that she couldn’t
be one of the dancers. “I guess you’re right, Astra. No one has mastered the
pianoforte as I have.”

Her mother’s pout was transformed into a slight grin when
she spotted James. “Well, well.” And to James’s growing discomfort and Astra’s
fury, her mother examined James like he was a prized piece of horse flesh.

“Yes, oh yes, I’d say that tailor did an excellent job.
How nice it is to see a man who can fill out a snugly cut riding suit,” said
her mother as she sauntered a circle around James.

James shrugged and Astra thought the heightened color
under his tanned skin might be a blush.

Astra clapped her hands and burst into motion. “All right
everyone. We need to start. We have much to cover. Mother, you shall take your
place at the pianoforte.”

Her mother paused to look over James one more time. “Pity
we shall not have the pleasure of a dance. Save me one for the ball, won’t you?”
She strolled over to the pianoforte and plopped herself onto the bench in a
flourish.

“All right, we’ll begin with a simple English Country
dance.” Astra sighed with relief when her mother started with some scales to
warm up. “If that meets with your approval, Lady Phillina?”

“That’s exactly what I’d start with. Go on, dear.”

Astra scanned the room to find the rest of the couples
she’d enlisted for the lesson. Mr. Rudd and O’Donald, the butler, stood beside
the far wall with the look that they meant to sneak out at their first chance.

“All right you two, over here. And where did Cook go?”

O’Donald stepped forward and bowed. “She said she had a
pastry she needed to attend. And though, I’m delighted to be of assistance, Mr.
Rudd asked me to reiterate that he’s never danced a day in his life and would
prefer to keep it that way.”

Mr. Rudd’s scowl spoke his displeasure quite articulately.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Rudd. Just follow along while I teach
James. We need three couples at the minimum and it seems Wesley has forgotten
my request for his presence this afternoon.”

Astra turned to James, whom, she realized, had been
watching her with rapt interest. He glanced away when she caught his gaze.
Astra shook off the tingling sensation James’s direct stare had given her and
focused on the task at hand.

“All right, Lord Keane, you stand here. I’ll be your
partner and Mary, you and Mr. Rudd will be next in line.” After she waved him
over a second time, Mr. Rudd dragged himself into position. “Just follow,
Mary,” she said, but despite his blank features, she suspected he inwardly groaned.

“O’Donald, you’re at the end. I’m afraid you’ll have to
pretend to have a partner until the cook can free herself from the kitchen.”

“Very good, Lady Keane.”

“No need for that,” Wesley’s voice and the sound of his
hurried stride brought a smile to Astra’s face until she turned to find him
closely followed by Melva, the maid she had caught with James.

“So sorry I’m late, but I brought Melva here to serve as
an apology.” Wesley strode to take Mr. Rudd’s place who vacated the room as
quickly as possible. “We were short a couple, were we not?”

Melva sauntered into position, her eyes leisurely brushing
over James as she took her place in front of Wesley. The bodice of her uniform
was inappropriately low and too tight by half.

Astra tugged at the long sleeves of her brown silk day
dress, and readjusted the high collar. Despite the slight sheen in the
chocolate-colored material, a shade of which Astra admired this very morning,
she felt frumpish compared to Melva in her coarse uniform. Even Melva’s rumpled
hair, with bright red tendrils sticking from her white cap, appeared immensely
more festive than Astra’s tightly braided twist.

Astra pulled her gaze away from Melva. This elaborate
dancing lesson was primarily orchestrated for Lady Phillina. Astra would not
let her own insecurities ruin it. “All right, Mother. Begin.”

Finally, Astra had no choice but to glance up at James. He
stared directly into her eyes as if his gaze had been on her the entire time,
never once straying to Melva’s bountiful cleavage and vibrant red hair.

James’s bright blue gaze was soft, almost apologetic. He
bowed to her. “May I have the honor of this dance, Lady Keane?”

She nodded and gave him a small smile. “Now, move forward,
we meet in the middle.” He followed her lead, his step jaunty rather than
stiff. No surprise there.

“We hook arms.” And the moment his solid arm possessively
linked with hers, the little flutter in her stomach spread its wings and took
flight.

Astra suddenly had trouble breathing. James orchestrated
her into a twirl, then sailed her down to the end of dancers. While Astra stood
open-mouthed in the center of the aisle, James bowed again, then returned to
his spot.

“I say, Astra, James is a quick study.” Phillina clapped
her hands. “Very good, James.”

Astra put her hands on her hips. “I didn’t teach you that.
You already know how to dance.”

James slyly grinned. “I know that one, but we don’t call
it an English Country dance back home. Let’s try another.”

Astra studied him from the corner of her eye. “What other
dances do you know?”

He shrugged. “A few Scottish reels. The quadrille. The
minuet.”

Her mother had long quit playing and stood beside the
dancers, staring at James as if he had sprouted another head.