Scandal of the Season (10 page)

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Smith. I do hope you and Lord Somerton will enjoy my little party.”

Little party? Victoria glanced around the room and counted at least fifty people. “Thank you, my lord. I am certain Somerton and I will enjoy ourselves.” She hoped the tone of her voice sounded flirtatious to the earl and told Lady Farleigh that Somerton was taken.

Somerton leveled her a swift glare. “Come along, Mrs. Smith. We have many more people to meet.”

As he dragged her away from the earl, he whispered in her ear, “Well done, Victoria. Just don’t overplay your hand.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your flirtatious manner might appear as encouragement to most men. They might even think you are looking for a new protector.”

Victoria laughed softly. “That is what a mistress does, my lord.”

He stopped and clasped her arm tightly. “Perhaps it is. But I would like everyone to believe you are my mistress only. You are not looking for another man. Do you understand?”

She attempted to pull her arm away to no avail. “Perfectly,” she bit out. “As long as you are not looking for another woman.”

“What do you mean by that?”

She rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t difficult to determine that Lady Farleigh had her eyes on you.”

“Perhaps she did,” he replied with a smirk.

Two younger men approached them with wary smiles on their faces.

“Somerton, how are you?” one of the men said.

“Very well, Singleton.”

Singleton looked down at Victoria with a leer. “Farleigh has outdone himself this time.”

“And who is this beauty?” a younger man asked, staring at Victoria’s breasts.

“Mrs. Smith, this is Lord Brentwood and Mr. Singleton.”

“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Smith,” Lord Brentwood said in an overly enthusiastic manner.

Victoria muttered a reply, suddenly eager to be away from this group. Their leering glances sent an odd sensation down her back.

“Are you all right?” Somerton queried. “You have become quite pensive since meeting the last group of people.”

“Those two men did nothing but stare at me in a totally lurid manner.”

His left brow rose. “And that comes as a surprise? You are a mistress and as such, fair game.”

“Well, I do not like it.”

He pulled out her chair for her. He took the seat next to her and leaned close to her ear again. “Then put all of your attention on me. I should be the only one you think of during dinner.”

“Why?”

“Then everyone understands you are only here for my pleasure.”

She sent him a feigned smile. “Of course, I am.”

During dinner, she watched him and spent most of her time making conversation with him and the couple across the table from them. She noticed the way he watched everyone at dinner, analyzing them. What was his reason for being here? He’d never told her anything, but she didn’t believe he would be here without a valid reason.

Even though the tone of the party was more casual and less reputable than she imagined the usual
ton
party was, the women were still expected to gather in the salon while the men had their brandy and cigars.

“Mrs. Smith,” a cultured voice called to her. “Might I have a word?”

“Yes, ma’am.” A sense of trepidation filled her as she strolled toward Lady Farleigh.

Lady Farleigh clasped Victoria’s arm and led her to the salon. “I could not help but notice the way you looked at that devil Somerton. He will not be an easy man to catch. But then again, neither was Farleigh.”

She didn’t want to say this as Lady Farleigh appeared to be such a friendly woman, but Victoria had no choice. “Lady Farleigh, I am nothing to him but a mistress.”

The woman laughed softly as they entered the salon. “As was I to Farleigh. You must make yourself something more than a mistress to catch him.”

Victoria stopped and looked at the woman. “You were his…?”

“Yes, my dear. Going from mistress to countess is no easy task. But it can be done. Should you need any assistance in this matter, please know you can come to me.”

“Thank you, Lady Farleigh.”

“Please call me Hannah.”

Victoria smiled at the woman. She had no desire to become Somerton’s mistress or wife but Lady Farleigh did not need to know that. “Thank you, Hannah.”

As the evening progressed with no sign of Marcus Hardy, Anthony’s frustration grew. How was he to watch Hardy when the man was not in attendance? What if Ainsworth’s information was incorrect? Anthony had been doing these “odd” jobs for Ainsworth for almost ten years. It would not be the first time some piece of misinformation had been given to him.

But after ten years, he was tired of the game playing, lying, and secrets. The first few years had helped take his mind off the reality of his family situation. After discovering his dead mother was a brothel owner, he had almost gone mad. And then what he’d done to Victoria had only made things worse.

He could not stand to be in the same house as his lying father and had taken every job Ainsworth had given him. When Anthony finally made amends with his mother, he had slowly realized running from his problems would not work. Six years ago, he decided he had to find Victoria and at least apologize for his actions. He had only planned to apologize and assist her monetarily. Instead, he’d dragged her down into his life of lies.

Glancing over at her, he smiled. She appeared in deep conversation with Farleigh’s wife, Hannah.

“Can’t keep your eyes off of her, can you?”

Anthony blinked and looked over at Nicholas. Now he had to make conversation about her. “Can you blame me?”

Nicholas laughed soundly. “Not at all. I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.”

“Exactly.”

Nicholas lowered his voice, “So what is the real reason you chose to come here this week?”

Anthony clenched his jaw. “I have been out of the country for several months. I thought this might be a nice time to relax with Mrs. Smith.”

“Right. So instead of ensconcing her in a lovely little cottage, you take her to a party where you know there will be nothing but degenerate men.” Nicholas laughed again. “Yes, it makes perfect sense to me.”

“Stay out of my life,” Anthony replied. Sometimes he wondered how different his life would have been if Nicholas and Trey hadn’t dragged him to the brothel.

“Absolutely.” Nicholas glared at him then stood and walked out of the room.

Instead of partaking in any of the gaming that occupied the back room, Anthony walked around the rooms looking once more for Hardy. The man still had not made an appearance. Asking Farleigh might bring suspicion upon Anthony should Farleigh be involved in the plot.

He walked back into the salon and toward Victoria. He desperately needed a good night’s sleep and doubted he would get that with her next to him. Holding out his hand to her, he said, “I believe it’s time to retire, Mrs. Smith.”

“So formal, Somerton,” Hannah said with a sensual smile. “I believe it is acceptable for you to call her Anne.”

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

Victoria accepted his hand and stood. “I don’t mind at all.” She glanced back at Hannah and said with a smile, “It only matters what he calls me in private.”

Hannah raised her brown brows. “I suppose you are right. Good night.”

If only it would be a good night, Anthony thought. He held out his arm for Victoria and led her upstairs. “You did very well tonight.”

“Thank you,” she replied stiffly. “I thought I should come speak with you after the gentlemen returned from their brandies, but Hannah wanted me to stay and talk with her.”

“You did the right thing. What did you two talk about?”

“She would like my help with some decorating. She wants greens brought in and placed on the mantels, mistletoe bunches hung, and big Yule logs in the fireplaces. I have never heard of doing all this, especially with Christmas still two weeks away.”

Anthony chuckled. “They want everyone to enjoy themselves and they feel Christmas fills people with goodwill. Just enjoy it.”

“I did like speaking with Lady Farleigh,” she commented.

“Hannah is a lovely woman. I’ve known her a long time.” Anthony opened the door to their room.

“I’m sure you have,” she retorted.

Hearing the bitter tone in her voice made him wonder what exactly she and Hannah had discussed. He closed the door behind them. “What do you want to know, Victoria?”

She crossed the thick carpet and sank into a brocade chair. “Were you intimate with her?”

He leaned against the door and folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe that is any of your business.”

“Indeed? You wanted to know all about my past. I think I have a right to ask the same questions.” She stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “So how many women have you bedded?”

“You sound like a jealous wife, not a mistress who should be doing everything she can to make me happy.”

“Make you happy? I am only a pretend mistress, remember?”

“You don’t have to be,” he whispered. The way her arms were over her chest only pronounced the soft curves of her breasts.

She smirked at him. “You cannot change the rules now.”

“I can do anything I want,” he said in a soft voice.

“Not without my permission.”

Her words were like a bucket of cold water dumped on him. “You are right, of course.”

“Why don’t you go back to Lady Farleigh? I am certain she would be happy to see you again.”

He stared at her until she looked away. “Perhaps I will. At least with her, I would have a nice warm body next to me.”

Her eyes widened as she comprehended the insult he’d given her. “You may take the bed tonight. I shall take my cold body and sleep out here.”

He walked to the door, furious that this slip of a woman could heighten his anger so quickly. All he wanted was a good night’s sleep. He would not get that until the wench went to sleep.

“I might be more comfortable in another bed.” He strode to the door and slammed it behind him.

The soft pink rays of morning streamed in through a small slit in the draperies. Victoria closed her eyes tighter. It could not be morning yet. Seeing the pale sunlight, she realized that she had slept longer this morning than in years. Every morning she was up by six, usually because several of the children were awake by then. Knowing it was futile to try to get back to sleep, she opened her eyes.

She was not on the sofa as she had been when she went to sleep last night. Lying still, she heard his rhythmic breathing next to her. Had she been sleepwalking last night? No, she never did that.

He must have carried her here once she had fallen asleep. Why would he have done that? When would he have done it? After he slammed the door shut, she’d had no idea if he would return or not. Unwilling to take a chance that he would come back, she had decided to sleep on the sofa.

She wondered if he had slept with Hannah. Or one of the other loose ladies staying at the party. It certainly would not surprise her. The man was nothing but a hardened rake. Even Lady Whitely had told her that. So why did she feel a sense of disappointment? She did not want to become involved with a man like Somerton again.

Once was enough.

She silently moved the coverlet off and lowered her feet to the floor. Tiptoeing to the linen press, she prayed it wouldn’t squeak as she opened it. After pulling out a day gown of green wool, she walked to the screen and dressed quickly. Thankfully, she could reach the buttons on this dress.

Once dressed, she pulled her hair into a loose chignon. As she walked across the room, she paused and stared at the man in the bed. Somerton looked relaxed. She had never seen him like that. In the few short days that she had known him, he always held himself rigid and had laughed only once. She wondered what demons the man held so tight inside of him.

Shaking her head, she continued to the door. It mattered not what demons were at work in him. He had coerced her into this job. Once they were done with the week, they would only see each other at functions held by their mutual friends. And she doubted he attended many of those.

She quietly departed the room and walked to the stairs. For the first time, she gawked at her surroundings. The white marble steps led to a huge entranceway for guests. Massive portraits in gilded frames hung from the silk covered walls. As she walked down the stairs to the breakfast room, the extravagance of the rooms continued to amaze her.

“Well, you are up quite early,” a male voice drawled.

Victoria turned her head and smiled at Lord Ancroft. “I am used to being up early. And it is almost eight.”

He shrugged. “I would have thought Somerton would try to keep you in bed all day.”

Heat scaled her cheeks. What would a mistress say to that? “Perhaps he needed his sleep.”

“I am certain after being with you, he would,” Ancroft muttered.

Victoria stood there mouth agape. She had no idea how to reply to such a comment.

“I apologize, Mrs. Smith,” Ancroft said softly. “I have been rather out of sorts lately.”

“Apology accepted.” She moved toward the table and sat down across from him. “Why have you been so out of sorts?”

“I am not certain. Perhaps I should get out of England for a time. Maybe travel to Italy. A dear friend of mine always wanted to visit Florence and Venice.”

“Then maybe you should go together,” she suggested.

Ancroft’s lips tilted upward. “I believe her husband might object. And of course, her infant son.”

He was speaking of Jennette, of course. “You might consider going alone,” Victoria offered.

He leaned across the table and clasped her hand. “I might. Or perhaps you would consider traveling with me.”

“I rather doubt she will do that, Nicholas,” Somerton’s cold voice sounded from the threshold.

Ancroft instantly released her hand and sat back against his chair. “You can’t fault me for trying, Somerton. At some point, she is bound to see that you never commit to anything. In fact, I have never heard of you having a mistress at all. Women, yes. But never a mistress.”

Somerton crossed the room like a panther. “But now I have.”

Victoria tensed as he drew nearer. The air grew thick as the two men stared at each other. She felt like the female lion caught between two rival males. There had to be something she could say to relieve the tension.

She laughed softly until both men looked at her. “I think you both may have forgotten that I have the say in who I take to my bed. If I wish, I could take Ancroft.” She glanced up to see Somerton glaring at her. “But I prefer my current arrangement.”

Somerton sat in the chair next to her. “As do I,” he replied in a muffled tone.

Ancroft frowned as he stared at them. “Forgive me, Mrs. Smith. I meant no disrespect.”

“I do understand,” Victoria said. “Perhaps all you need to do is find another mistress to keep you entertained.”

Ancroft glanced toward the window with a faraway look in his eyes. “I rather doubt that will satisfy my current condition.”

A tall man with light brown hair entered the room and glanced at the group sitting at the small round table. “Ancroft,” he said with a nod.

Ancroft nodded. “Hardy, what brings you here?”

“I arrived a few minutes ago. I have some business with Lord Farleigh, but I won’t be staying for more than a few days.” Hardy looked over at Somerton with a slight frown. “Somerton?”

“I don’t believe we have actually met,” Somerton said as he stood to shake the man’s hand. “And this is a friend of mine, Mrs. Smith.”

After shaking Somerton’s hand, Mr. Hardy bowed over her hand. “It is a pleasure, Mrs. Smith.”

Somerton’s hand clasped down on her shoulder with a biting pain. “Darling, I need a moment of your time before you dine.”

“Of course, dear.” Victoria stood up and glared at him.

“In the salon.” He took her hand and led her out of the room while Ancroft’s gaze burned into her back.

Hearing people in the salon, Somerton continued on to the empty library. The click of the lock told her of the importance of this meeting.

“Is there a problem?” she asked softly. She had never seen the full brunt of his anger but had a feeling it would not be pleasant.

“Yes, there are several.” He paced the room. “First, why did you leave our room without informing me?”

She sat on the brocade chair and watched him walk the room. “You were still asleep. I did not believe I should wake you just so I could get a bite of breakfast.”

He stopped in front of her chair and stared down at her. His hazel eyes turned a brilliant green. “Do not leave our room without me. There are some very conniving men here.”

“Like you?”

His eyes narrowed on her. “Some of these men will believe you are fair game just because you are my mistress.”

“A position you forced me to play,” she commented.

He smirked slightly. “A deal you agreed to.”

“So I did. Go on,” she said with a wave of her hand.

“Do not, under any circumstances, encourage Ancroft. His former mistress just ended their agreement.”

“So he is looking for a new mistress?”

His eyes hardened. “Do not think it.”

Smiling up at him, she said, “But our agreement is only for the week. Once that time is completed, I might be interested in such a position. He is, after all, a marquess and will be duke one day. Being the mistress of a duke is certainly an advantage.”

She knew she should stop baiting him but couldn’t seem to stop. “Besides, think of the money that would bring in for the poor children. I would be able to stop my criminal activities.”

Suddenly, he hauled her out of her seat until she was up against his chest. Her heart thrummed.

“You will not take another man to your bed,” he said deliberately.

“Indeed? You don’t return to our bedchamber until late last night and after sleeping with—”

“Whom I sleep with is my business.” He tilted her chin up.

“Just as whom I sleep with is mine. I can take any man I want to. You have no say in the matter.”

“Oh, but I do,” he replied in a menacing voice before lowering his hard lips to hers.

If she didn’t know better, she might have thought his punishing kiss was a show of jealousy. But as she responded to his kiss, he softened his lips and punishment became seduction. Feeling his tongue lash against hers sent a strange tightening sensation to her belly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, attempting to get closer to him. She needed relief from this aching desire she felt for him.