Lady Vixen (47 page)

Biting
her lip, Nicole was driven to protest, guiltily aware that she was already in
Cavendish Square under false pretenses. "It wouldn't be right. I can't
allow you to do such a thing. There must be a simpler way."

"You
can't allow me?" Simon burst out irascibly. "Listen here, missy, it's
either letting me do so or going to your uncle. Now you can take your
choice!"

Two
spots of hot color burning in her cheeks, the topaz-brown eyes no longer soft,
Nicole's volatile temper flared. Stiffly she said, "You know there is no
question of choice! But I must insist that you keep a strict record of your
expenditures on my and Mrs. Eggleston's behalf, and when my fortune is my own,
I will repay every penny!" Having again forgotten that young ladies of
quality hardly spoke and acted as she was doing, she rose angrily to her feet
and swept from the room.

Once
the door was shut firmly behind her, Regina and Simon silently regarded each
other. Finally Simon smiled ruefully. "Got spirit, that little filly! I
suppose I shouldn't have been so blunt?"

"Exactly!"
Regina answered promptly. "Really, Simon, you do alarm me sometimes. There
was no reason to be so tactless."

His
moment of compunction disappeared instantly, and Simon scowled at his sister.
"Bah! Don't you start now with one of your famous scolds. The morning has
been lively enough!"

"I
quite agree," she snapped. Rising to her feet, she continued, "When
will you see Judge White? I don't feel that you should delay it too long. After
all, the Markhams may have an entirely unblotted copybook, and may go directly
to a lawyer and start proceedings against
us!"

Simon
grimaced. "This afternoon. I'll send a note over this morning to see if it
will be convenient. Does that satisfy you?"

Regina
permitted herself to smile. "Yes, my dear, it does. But Simon, remember
not to tax yourself too far. I know you don't like anyone to speak of your
health, but you
did
nearly die with that last seizure five years ago.
And your physician says you mustn't overtire yourself." Ignoring the
gathering storm on Simon's face, she added, "Why don't you have
Christopher see the judge instead?"

"Damn
you, Gina! If you and that mealy-mouthed sawbones are going to coddle me, I
might as well be dead! Besides," he finished with a very youthful grin,
"I'm enjoying myself!"

Shaking
her head and smiling, Regina dropped an affectionate kiss on his dark head.
"I know you are, you old devil! But for my sake, don't overdo it."

"Ha!"

With
a laugh at his usual bad-tempered retort, she left the room. But her smile
faded as she walked slowly up the stairs. The situation was grave. If Nicole
were compelled by law to live with the Markhams, there was no doubt in Regina's
mind that her life would be wretched indeed. Wretched and dangerous, she
decided thoughtfully, recalling the ugly look in William's eye and the savage
manner in which he had struck the girl. Like Simon, though, she believed that
for the moment the Markhams would do little except grumble. If they were wise,
she reflected without enjoyment, they would put forth a smiling face and
pretend that Nicole, with their blessing, was visiting with the Saxons and say
no more. As long as there were no immediate demands for an accounting of his
stewardship and no requests for money, Mr. Markham would probably not press too
hard in changing the situation. It was unfortunate that there were three years
in which the circumstances would remain unresolved, because she was certain
there would be several more repellent scenes with the Markhams before Nicole's
majority was reached—unless Nicole married...

Regina
stopped in mid-stride, her expression suddenly very pleased. Yes. The very
thing! An objective in sight, a pleasant one at that, Regina smiled happily to
herself and walked toward her room to finish her interrupted toilet.

It
was nearly an hour later when she descended the stairs again, feeling she now
looked her best, especially with the silver-streaked hair caught up in a
fetching chignon and her dress of Devonshire brown twilled sarcenet fitting her
angular body admirably. She had stopped for a moment in Nicole's room, but
Nicole, she was informed by Mauer, was in the conservatory downstairs. Staring
thoughtfully at the thin-lipped dresser, she had asked, "How is she?"

Mauer
had hesitated then admitted bluntly, "She'll have a nasty bruise for a few
days where that monster struck her. She didn't say much about it."

Frowning,
she had left the room. Deciding to leave Nicole to her own devices for the time
being, she headed for the morning salon, not certain what she was going to do—a
most unusual state of affairs for someone of Regina's temperament. But before
she had a chance to think very deeply or become bored with her own company,
Christopher and Mrs. Eggleston arrived home.

Mrs.
Eggleston was rosy-cheeked and full of enthusiasm for the several books she had
selected.

"Oh,
Regina, just look here! I was most fortunate to obtain a copy of Lord Byron's
The
Corsair.
It has just been published, you know."

"How
very nice, my dear. I do not care for that young man's work, but he has been
very popular since his
Childe Harold
was published a year or two
ago."

"Oh,
yes, I was quite excited to find a copy of it just after we arrived. Such an
admirable young man!"

"I
won't argue with you, but you have been out of the country for some time and
know nothing of his carryings on. The way he and Caro Lamb have been behaving
is beyond belief. Although," Regina added with satisfaction, "I
believe that little affair is now over. I have heard that he means to offer for
Annabella Milbanke. You know she turned him down once already?"

Mrs.
Eggleston's blue eyes wide with interest, she breathed, "Why, no! However
do you hear all these things?"

Christopher,
realizing that the two of them were ready to sit down and brew some scandal
broth, stifled a grin and remarked, "If you ladies will excuse me? I have
an appointment with my agent to view some lodgings, and I don't wish to keep
him waiting."

Mrs.
Eggleston gave him a dismissing smile and repeated again how very much she had
appreciated his company, but Regina, gossip instantly the farthest thing from
her mind, said, "I would like a word with you first, Christopher. Letitia,
please excuse us for a moment, won't you?"

Bewildered,
but correctly divining that Regina wanted a word in private with her
grandnephew, Mrs. Eggleston quickly murmured something about seeing to her tea
and faded gracefully from the room.

Her
departure created a momentary silence, and Christopher, his relaxed, smiling
manner gone, a wary expression in his eyes, asked after a second, "Well,
Aunt, what is it?"

Regina
hesitated, knowing she should probably leave the telling of this morning's
events to Simon. But she wanted to see for herself how Christopher took the
news of the Markhams' arrival, and more interestingly William 'Markham's attack
on Nicole. So bluntly and succinctly she told him what had transpired. For all
the reaction she got from him, she might as well have saved her breath. There
was the tiniest flick of muscle in his right cheek and an odd flash that lit
his gold eyes for the briefest second to reveal that he felt anything at all.
Regina searched his handsome dark features intently, hoping for some further
sign that Markham's striking of Nicole had affected him, but there was nothing.
And when she had finished speaking, he merely drawled in an indifferent tone,
"And where is Nicole now?"

Frustrated
by his lack of emotion, Regina almost didn't tell him, but thinking better of
it, she snapped, "I'm sure I don't know why you should wish to know, but
she is in the conservatory."

Christopher
raised one heavy brow at the tone of her voice and only added to her sense of
disappointment by saying smoothly, "Well, then, if Nicole was well enough
to leave her room, she can't have been too upset by the Markhams' visit."
With an infuriatingly mocking smile on his beautiful mouth, he added, "And
if I know Nicole, she probably enjoyed herself thoroughly. Now, if you will
excuse me?"

Regina
glared at him, wishing violently that she could read what went on behind those
thickly lashed gold eyes. But she could not and had to console herself with the
small knowledge that while he had not given much away, that telltale bunch in
his lean cheek and that momentary glitter in his eyes boded ill for someone.

As
he left his aunt, his air of disinterest vanished; his face was suddenly hard
and ruthless. Taking the stairs two at a time, he quickly reached his rooms.
Declining Higgins's help, he swiftly changed into a pair of buckskins and
riding boots. It took only a second, and on the point of rushing out the door,
he threw over his shoulder in a curt voice, "Find out where the Markhams
are staying. As soon as I've seen Nicole, I'll be paying Mr. William Markham a
visit!"

The
conservatory was at the rear of the house and it was the pride of Lord Saxon's
head gardener. The domed roof was all of glass, and a profusion of greenery and
blossoms enchanted the eye and titillated the senses. A miniature waterfall and
fishpond were cleverly constructed in one corner of the huge room, and there
were stone benches scattered throughout the seemingly natural paths that
crisscrossed the area. It was like finding a beautifully cared for private park
under glass. Unfortunately it was seldom used or displayed, only being in
demand when a ball or some important function was in progress. Nicole had
quickly discovered it was one place that she could always find privacy, and she
often escaped to its quiet and peace.

Christopher
found Nicole seated on one of the stone benches near the fishpond. She didn't
hear his approach, and for a moment he watched her as she stared, apparently
engrossed in the orange and gold fish that swam in the shallow depths. She was
still wearing the lavender gown, and her hair, worn loose today, hid part of
her face as she bent forward.

He
said her name softly, and with a start of surprise she jerked around. Her eyes
flew to his and she knew instantly that he had already been told of this
morning's affair. What his response had been she couldn't quite determine—his
features were carefully controlled. But then Christopher always kept himself in
perfect command of any situation, she thought bitterly. Nothing ever perturbed
him or set him back—damn it!

She
greeted him coolly, her own emotions held firmly in check. All she needed now,
she decided tightly, was another scene to send her screaming to Bedlam.

But
Christopher seemed to have no intention of creating a scene as his eyes
carefully scanned her upturned face. Without comment he noted the pale complexion
and taut curve to her usually soft mouth. Then he reached out and slowly tipped
up her chin, and stared keenly at the disfiguring bruise that marred one
perfect cheek. His hand, incredibly gentle, brushed it lightly, and when she
flinched, his lips thinned and an angry glitter entered his eyes. But Nicole,
unable to stand the silence or his touch, was too conscious of her emotions to
notice his, and she slapped his hand aside, snapping outrageously, "I've
already been mauled once this morning, do you intend, now, to gloat over
it?"

Christopher's
expression didn't change except, perhaps, to grow harder, and Nicole
experienced the familiar surge of resentment at his ability to remain aloof and
unmoved. Her resentment didn't abate one bit when, his eyes mocking hers, he
said coolly, "I don't recall that I have ever gloated over your
misfortunes, Nick."

Her
eyes sparkling angrily and the faint flush of temper blooming on her cheeks,
she taunted, "At least I should be used to being struck—you did it often enough!
Do you think William does it as well?"

For
just a second Nicole wondered if she had pushed him too far. But he made no
move and said instead in a scathing voice, "I may have boxed your ears,
which you richly deserved upon occasion, but I'm afraid my memory falls short
of remembering ever hitting you so hard that I bruised your face in such a
fashion!"

"No!"
she retorted sweetly. "Instead you seduced me!"

A
muscle knotted in his jaw, and Nicole had the hollow satisfaction of knowing
she had gotten under his skin. Her mixed elation was short-lived, however, for
Christopher countered levelly, "Yes, I did that. But I think I am more
sinned against than sinning. How was I to know that you were no more than some
little tart after adventure or that you hadn't been Allen's mistress? I did no
more than any other man in my position would have. And," he added cruelly,
his own temper slipping its leash, "I seem to recall that you enjoyed
it!"

Nicole's
face paled, and without thinking, she leaped to her feet and struck Christopher
full force with an open palm across the mouth.

His
eyes shutting instinctively in protection, he stepped back in surprise—surprise
and anger. When he opened his eyes a split second later, anger was very
apparent in them.

Rebelliously,
Nicole awaited his reaction, hating herself and him for the seemingly
effortless way he could arouse her to fury and blind action. What was there
about him, she wondered fiercely, that drove her to defy him, to goad him until
he reacted as blindly as she did.