Legendary Lover (24 page)

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"I wasn't sure what you told your papa, or what he said to Lord
Redvers
."

"I can't see that it's any of your business," she huffily retorted.

"I'm a man,
coxa
mia
,
before I'm a dancing master or your lover. I care about my child."

"It's not your child."

"Then whose is it, when you were an untried maid not long ago?" His dark eyes were piercing. "Are you going to lie to me about that as well?"

"You know I can't marry you, darling." Cajoling, she reached out to touch his cheek. "Wouldn't you rather have your child born into a title?"

"Your papa has a title, and my family is as acceptable as a beer baron's. My father was court physician to the Austrian governor of Verona."

"I don't care about any of that." Piqued her lover wasn't easily persuaded, Sarah reverted to a pout. "Papa says he will make Lord
Redvers
marry me, and I want to be a marchioness. I don't know how you can be so selfish and not let me have what I want."

"Even if you don't love him?"

"
Vincenzo
, please."
Her pale brows came together in a frown. "Love has nothing to do with aristocratic marriages. And that's why I need you," she added, smiling again. "We can love each other all we want."

"I think you're overestimating the marquis's tolerance."

"Pooh on that.
Bella says you just have to know how to handle a husband."

"She's one to talk. Her husband gambles away what little money they have."

"Well
,
 
my
husband won't,
 
because he has more

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money
than almost anyone in England. And I refuse to argue about this anymore. If you don't love me, just say so."

"You know I do,
cara
ma.
Even though your mama and papa are making you sacrifice yourself."

"It's not a sacrifice! I'll live in a grand house in London and have my own carriage and lots and lots of estates in the country—and don't you dare try to make me feel bad for wanting to marry a rich man."

Vincenzo
fell silent.

"And don't think you can make me feel sorry for you. You're ever so handsome and talented and I won't feel sorry for you, no matter how you look at me with those sad eyes."

"Maybe I don't want to be your lover once you're married."

"Of course you do."

"I may not."

"
Vincenzo
, don't you dare leave me."

"Maybe I'll find some young lady who doesn't want riches alone."

"Of course I don't just want riches. You make it sound so crass."

"It is."

"Then any
number of other young ladies this season are
also similarly inclined."

"It doesn't make it right." The slender young man rose from the bed and padded across the shabby carpet in his bedchamber. "I'm going for a walk." Lifting his trousers from the chair, he began dressing.

"You are not going for a walk. I forbid it.
Vincenzo
!"

"I wish you good fortune with your wealthy husband." Slipping into his shoes, he grabbed his shirt from

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the
floor where it had been dropped in his haste earlier that afternoon. Walking to the door, he heard her jump from the bed and run across the floor. With his hand on the door latch, he hesitated, and when she threw her arms around his waist and pressed her warm, nude body against his, he forgot his anger in the bliss of knowing she cared.

o^
ORD
  
PALMER'S
  
MEETING
  
WITH
  
HIS
  
BARRISTER

wasn't
going well. Familiar with commanding a large business, he'd expected to simply dictate the terms of the marriage settlement. He discovered, instead, that the marquis would not only be difficult to coerce, but perhaps impossible.

"Even with witnesses, my lord, the judge may not agree with your viewpoint," the barrister was saying for the tenth time, trying to make his wealthy client understand there were entirely different standards for peers of lesser rank and those of ancient lineage and prominence.

"But
Redvers
has ruined my daughter, damn him."

"He will contest that. I can't make that more incontrovertible. The Marquis of
Redvers
is entirely without conscience, or so rumor implies. A man of his stamp and wealth and influence can bring as many witnesses as you, or more, to refute your charge. And he will."

"Is the judge necessitous?"

"What are you implying, sir?" The barrister put on his most affronted pose. While he had been in Lord Palmer's employ on numerous occasions and taken his money without scruple, he was offended by men who

214

thought
they could buy anything they wanted because of their financial successes.

"The obvious, of course," Lord Palmer bluntly answered. "Is the judge financially needy—or better yet, greedy?"

"I'm sure I wouldn't know."

"Well, make it a point to find out. And then maybe Lord
Redvers
will stop looking down his nose at me."

"Lord
Redvers's
arrogance is democratically accorded to all, if that is any consolation to you, my lord."

"The only consolation to me, Symington, will be seeing my daughter made the Marchioness of
Redvers
. See that you take care of that situation for me. I don't care what it costs."

"I can't guarantee anything, my lord, with a man of the marquis's determination and arrogance."

"If you can't do it, tell me now, and I'll find someone who will."

George Symington understood his capabilities, and without undue vanity knew he was the equal of any barrister in London. "I will do my best, sir, but should you wish to find someone better qualified to act as sycophant, please do so."

Lord Palmer also knew that George Symington was one of the best, which was why he retained him as his primary barrister. "Very well, George," he conceded, "no need to take issue. Do what you can. But should you see your way to giving me what I want, there's a sizable bonus in it for you."

"I hope I can earn it, sir, but
Redvers
will fight this tooth and nail."

215

(O/
ACK
 
STOPPED
 
BRIEFLY
 
IN
  
LONDON
 
TO
 
SEE
 
HIS

barrister
on the way to Dover. He'd given Venus an edited version of the incident at the Sutton Inn as explanation for their detour. But cautious should
Redvers
House be under surveillance, he arranged for the meeting to be held at Austin
Watts's
home.

While Austin's wife, Helen, and Venus had tea, he spoke to his barrister alone, giving him a more graphic account of his meeting with the Palmers. "You know the drill," he said at the end of his narrative. "Keep me out of court if you can. But the Palmers' trap was more blatant than most, so in my current mood let them take me to court if they dare. Their daughter's reputation is the one at stake. Mine is long past the need for protection."

"Lord Palmer retains Symington for most of his legal work."

"It that a problem?"

"Not particularly, but he'll know how to drag this out in the legal system if he chooses."

"Let him. What is this, the third time now that some family has thought to force my hand? When I never even look at young misses," the marquis added in disgust. "It was a mistake in the past to settle quietly out of court."

"But you preferred not facing the tedium of litigation, as I recall. Dare I say, I told you so?" Austin
smiled,
his friendship with the marquis of long standing.

"Yes, of course you may." Jack's expression was tolerant. "Tell me, though, is there a possibility we can deal with this promptly?"

"I hate to make promises with Symington as an adversary."

"Do what you can to exert pressure on them. I have

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complete
faith in your ability to get me out of this mess with all due speed."

"Where will you be should 1 need you?"

"In Dover for the next few days, although my whereabouts are confidential, for obvious reasons.
After that I'll be back in London."

"Would you like protection for your journey to Dover?" Jack had briefly discussed their near-fatal incident near Epsom.

"I've plenty of my own, but thanks."

"So I have carte blanche with the Palmers in terms of discomfort."

"No holds barred. Make that clear with Symington from the start."

Austin adjusted his shirt cuffs under his velvet smoking jacket, his grin one of satisfaction. "I look forward to taking the offensive this time."

"Good." Jack's smile was relaxed. "Let me know if you need anything. Should you require my presence before I return from Dover, my valet generally knows how to reach me."

"You're not taking him with you?"

"No." Jack looked amused. "Do you care?"

"You've been incommunicado this past month. Tongues are wagging."

"Would you like to ask me something?" the marquis drawled, looking at his friend with a heavy-lidded gaze.

"The entire ton would." Austin dipped his head minutely in a small gesture of tactful deference. "How serious is this affair?"

"Serious enough to keep me interested for a month."

"Miss
Duras
is very lovely."

2I
₇

"Only one of her many assets."

"But she's leaving?"

"I'm trying to talk her into staying, but Venus actually works—there's a new concept for a wealthy woman—and with the attack on her, I'd be a brute to put her in further danger."

"Will you pine?" Only newly married, Austin was aware of the intensity of love.

"Good question. Ask me in a few weeks."

"So casual, Jack?"

"I doubt I'll change my mind about my freedom, if that's what you're waiting to hear."

"If you're in love, freedom isn't an issue."

"Then I must not be in love, because it's still high on my list of priorities."

"In that case, have a pleasant sojourn in Dover."

"I intend to."

"And I'll inform the Palmers that they won't be entering the Fitz-James family anytime soon."

"My thanks, Austin."
Jack rose.

"Why don't we see if the ladies are finished with their tea," his friend replied, coming to his feet.

It was another hour before Jack and Venus left the Watts home, the conversation over tea having turned into a heated discussion of the latest reform bills in Parliament. Helen Watts was active in a group promoting ragged schools for the poor in London, and while Jack didn't publicize his charitable interests, he was a generous donor to the day schools.

But the marquis kept an eye on the clock, and before long he suggested they leave. Once Venus was settled into the carriage again, she looked at Jack with a new

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degree
of curiosity. "I didn't realize you were involved in reform issues."

"My secretary handles most of the arrangements, but he briefs me from time to time on the successes we've achieved. Harry likes to remind me that a man of my wealth should return some of his fortune to those less fortunate."

"I doubt it's his urging alone that prompts your generosity."

"I have more money than I need. Why not do some good with it?"

"You're not at all what you seem," Venus murmured.

"You know me as well as anyone, darling. This is it."

Her gaze was speculative. "Why do you cultivate your profligate persona?"

"I don't. But I don't deny it, either. A man can have more than one interest."

"Most think yours is exclusively vice."

"While you know now how domestic I can be," he replied with a grin.

"Don't tease. You do have a great number of domestic virtues—outside the bedchamber as well. You're a generous landlord to your tenants, a benefactor to the poor,
a
donor to the churches in your parish."

"Don't forget my racehorses," he lightly said. "I'm indulgent to them as well."

"You're uncomfortable with praise."

"Just realistic.
I'm no paragon of virtue."

"Let me change the subject to something less fraught. Come visit me in Paris sometime and see my new hospital. No commitment required, darling," she quickly added, taking note of his sudden guarded look.

"I'd be pleased to." He didn't elaborate further, and