Scandal of the Season (11 page)

His hand moved to cup her breast. She wanted so much more than a simple kiss. But she couldn’t tell him that. Why couldn’t he sense her desire for him? As he skimmed his thumb across her taut nipple, she moaned softly.

He trailed his lips to her ear as he pressed her hips to his. She could feel his erection pressing against her. Moisture pooled between her folds as she prayed he would touch her soon.

“Dammit!” he said, moving away from her. He walked to the window and stared out at the snowy expanse.

“Somerton?” she whispered.

“Don’t say a word.”

What could she say? The man kissed her as if he intended to take her to his bed then tore himself away as if she were the devil. So he didn’t want her, but he didn’t want her to take a protector, either. Something was completely wrong here.

“Somerton, we need to talk about what just happened.”

He turned back to her with a frown. “There is nothing to discuss.”

“Indeed? So why is it that I’m not good enough for you or your friend, Ancroft?”

“I never said that,” he replied.

“You didn’t have to. Your actions told me.” Victoria walked toward the library door. Before she could reach for the door, she found herself spun around to face him again.

“We are not done with our conversation. Stay away from Ancroft and all the other men here.”

“Then I demand the same respect. If I am to be the doting mistress, you had better be the adoring protector.”

Before he could reply, she stormed from the room.

Anthony stared at the open door unable to move. Finally, he sank into a chair and stared at the embers in the fireplace. Victoria could have sex with anyone she wanted, once this job was finished and she was out of his life forever. He combed his fingers through his hair in frustration. She would never be completely out of his life. Between the connection they had forged ten years ago, and the fact that she socialized with three of his friends’ wives and his half sister, he would always hear about her.

He would always see her. Even if it was just through the window of her home as he went to see Lady Whitely. He would know Victoria was there, possibly watching and condemning him for walking into a brothel.

What the bloody hell did he care what she thought of him? He was an unmarried man and could visit a brothel if he wanted. What she thought of him did not matter.

Victoria was pure temptation and passion. Moving her into his bed had been a mistake last night. He’d walked back into the room after playing cards with Brentwood and noticed how uncomfortable she’d looked on the sofa. He’d felt he had no choice but to move her. Of course, trying to sleep next to her had been impossible. He lay awake for hours as she dozed next to him.

“So what exactly is going on between you two?”

Anthony looked up to see Nicholas staring down at him. “Nothing is going on between us.”

“Strange answer for a man who is supposed to be her protector.”

“Stay out of this, Nicholas. You know nothing about her.”

“I know you two are attempting to make people believe you are lovers and yet, I don’t quite believe it. While you sit in here looking angrier than I have seen you in years, she went back to the breakfast room alone and looking miserable.”

Anthony clenched his fists. “Stay out of this.”

“I’m not a fool. I know you have done some work for people in high places.” Nicholas must have seen the look of confusion on his face. “Selby told me.”

Anthony nodded. Selby only knew because Anthony had used him once when he first started his dealings with Ainsworth. “I might have had some business in the past.”

Nicholas laughed. “Or even now.” He paused as if considering his words carefully. “I know you wouldn’t be here unless there was a strong reason. Over the past two years, Farleigh has made his objections of you public. But he can’t deny his wife anything. You wouldn’t be here just to pay a call on her. If you need assistance, I shall help you. Let Mrs. Smith leave here.”

Anthony glanced back to verify the door was firmly shut. “You cannot help me.”

“Of course I can. If Mrs. Smith is here for—”

“Mrs. Smith is only here as my mistress. Nothing more.”

“Somerton, you can lie to many people and they will believe you.” Nicholas smirked. “But not me. I’ve known you far too long for that.”

“I said, she is here strictly as my mistress.”

“Somerton,” Nicholas said roughly.

“All right, can you pick the pocket of a man without him feeling a thing?” Somerton demanded.

“No, but I highly doubt…” Nicholas’s words trailed off. “You can’t mean to say that Mrs. Smith can do such a thing.”

“Better than anyone I have ever seen.”

“Better than you?” Nicholas asked cautiously.

“Far, far better,” Anthony admitted. “She is the best I have ever seen. Probably why she hasn’t been hanged yet.”

Nicholas took the seat across from him. “How did you find her?”

Anthony shook his head. This was a disaster. With Nicholas’s connections to Elizabeth, Jennette, and Banning, he would soon discover Mrs. Smith was really Victoria. “You have to promise me what I am about to tell you will not leave this room.”

“Of course.”

“Have you ever heard Elizabeth or Jennette speak of their friend Miss Seaton?”

“Yes, she owns the home for…no, Mrs. Smith is not Miss Seaton.”

“One and the same,” Anthony replied. “She picked my pocket at the christening party for Banning’s daughter. I never felt a thing until Jennette accidentally knocked into her.”

“Then how can you be certain it was her?”

“Because she admitted it. We came to an agreement. I needed a mistress with me to keep Farleigh from becoming an issue. With a mistress, he won’t think I am after Hannah. So we agreed that she would help me, and I would not speak of her ability to her friends.”

“Ah, a little case of blackmail.”

“Perhaps,” Anthony commented.

“Can I help you?” Nicholas asked.

Only Selby knew a little about what Anthony did for Ainsworth. And Selby most likely had no idea that so many of the rumors about Anthony were true. However, this was his last job and Nicholas already knew Hardy. Nicholas might be able to get closer to Hardy than he could.

“What do you know of Hardy?”

Nicholas shrugged. “Not much. We met a few times, mostly through Farleigh. He is the second son of Viscount Ellington. I have not heard much either way about his finances so I would assume he is secure.”

Anthony lowered his voice to a whisper. “Any reason he might want to see prinny dead?”

“What?” Nicholas’s mouth gaped in shock.

“You heard me.”

Nicholas’s brows furrowed. “I can think of no reason. His family is nowhere near the lineage of anyone of power. I’m far closer to the line of succession than anyone in his family. You are closer.”

“I realize that. But is there anyone here who might be closer to the line of succession than you?”

“No one that I have seen so far. Has anyone warned the prince?”

Anthony blew out a breath. “I am not privy to that information.”

“What can I do to help?” Nicholas asked. “I am not about to let the future king of England be killed. With Charlotte gone, the line is in question.”

“Keep your eyes on Mrs. Smith. I cannot completely trust her. I fear she would turn for a large sum of money.” He knew she would do anything for money.

“I don’t see her doing that. Surely she has some loyalty to the king.”

Anthony closed his eyes. Nicholas always had a soft heart when it came to women. Especially beautiful women. “I have not told her exactly why we are here.”

“Then perhaps you should.”

That would involve trusting her. And Anthony had yet to be able to do that.

“What an odious man,” Victoria muttered as she left the breakfast room.

“Oh my, I do want to hear which odious man, of the many here, you are speaking of.”

Victoria stopped at the threshold to the small salon and covered her mouth. Hannah sat in the room holding her daughter. “I am sorry, my lady. I did not know you were here.”

“My lady? I told you to call me Hannah. Now come in and close the door so we are not disturbed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Victoria closed the door and took a seat across from Lady Farleigh. “Your daughter is beautiful. How old is she?”

“Suzette is three months old.” She held the baby out. “Would you like to hold her?”

Victoria missed all her babies. The youngest was three and didn’t require much holding. She reached for Suzette. Holding the little bundle made her homesick.

“Now to which odious man were you referring?” Hannah asked with a smile. “Tea?”

“Yes, please.” Victoria had no idea what to tell this woman.

“The man?” Hannah pressed again as she placed the teacup on the small cherry table beside Victoria. “My first guess would be Lord Somerton. He is, after all, your protector and most likely to draw your ire.”

Victoria nodded.

“Perfect, we shall start with him,” she announced.

Start? What exactly did this woman want her to do? Gossip? Thinking back to the many conversations Victoria had had with Avis, Jennette, Elizabeth, and Sophie, discussing men had become more popular as each married.

“I take it you two had a row.”

Victoria had no idea what to say. “I suppose we did.”

“Get the man back into bed as quickly as possible. There he will forget the argument and after he is satisfied, he will give you anything you desire.”

“It is not that easy,” she blurted out before realizing her mistake. This would only encourage the woman.

Hannah frowned and picked up Suzette when the infant started to fuss. “Nonsense.”

Victoria stared down at her wool skirt. She wondered again if Hannah and Somerton had been lovers. He would never answer that question, and asking Hannah seemed highly inappropriate. Somehow, she would have to get past this slight jealousy she felt on the matter. Hannah was in love with her husband.

Thinking back to her first time with Somerton, it had been anything but good. While ten years had passed, she still wondered if it would be different than before. If he attempted to seduce her, she doubted she would have the strength to resist him again. But would she feel the incredible magic she’d heard her friends speak of after being with their husbands?

“Anne, what are you woolgathering about?”

She shook her head. “Nothing important. I shall take your advice and do my best to get him into bed.”

“Good girl. Once you get him back in your bed, I’ll share my secrets for keeping him there and getting that ring on your finger.”

Marriage? To Somerton? She could think of nothing worse than that. She highly doubted the man even had a heart. Besides, she didn’t want marriage. Even though money was tight at times, she only had to answer to herself.

And Lady Whitely.

But in nine short years, Victoria would not have to do that either. Then the house would be turned over to her free and clear. She could keep the home open to orphans if she wished, or live in it on her own. She knew turning the orphans out wasn’t an option but there were days she dreamed of having no responsibilities.

“Anne, you really should mind this penchant you have for woolgathering. A man wants to know the only thing you have on your mind is him.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Now, go speak with that man of yours. We have no activities planned until dinner. Tomorrow we shall decorate the mantels with the greens while the servants hang the mistletoe.”

Victoria frowned. “I had always heard that bringing in the holly before Christmas Eve was bad luck.”

“Oh, that is nonsense. I don’t believe it at all. Now, we have several sleighs, and with the snow overnight, it would make for a romantic ride for you and Somerton.”

Victoria did her best to keep from rolling her eyes at the romantic notion. “I shall think about that.”

But instead of even attempting to get Somerton into her bed, she decided to do her best to ignore him the rest of the day. At lunch, Hannah changed the seating arrangements so everyone would have a chance to talk to each other. Victoria found herself sitting next to Mr. Hardy and Lord Bingham.

Victoria took her seat next to Mr. Hardy and smiled over at him warmly. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hardy. Lovely weather we are having.”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Smith.” He slid a sly glance down the low bodice of her gown. “I will be far happier when spring comes. I am not one for snow.”

She took the opportunity to examine the man. With sandy brown hair, small brown eyes, a bent nose, and slightly crooked teeth, he was not the type of man to inspire the sighs of a young girl. While not particularly handsome, he did have some good features. She supposed he might look handsome in a rough manner.

So what caused that sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach? Her skin crawled when he looked over at her.

“Tell me what you do with yourself, Mr. Hardy,” she asked.

“I have an estate in Kent left to me from my uncle who had no sons. Unfortunately, no title came with the inheritance so I am merely a country squire.”

“Hmm, there is nothing wrong with being a squire.”

As the footman placed the plate of fish in front of her, she asked, “What type of amusements do you enjoy?”

He glanced over at her with an eyebrow raised and a smile on his face. Leaning in, he whispered, “I would be happy to show you the amusements I enjoy, Mrs. Smith.”

She suppressed a tremble and smiled. “I am sure you could but I am with Lord Somerton right now.”

“Of course.” He slid another glance down the bodice of her gown. “Should that situation ever change, I would be pleased to learn of it.”

Victoria swallowed back the nausea. Somerton was right about the degenerate men at this party. She would need to be on her guard at all times.

The luncheon proceeded with dull conversation on the weather and politics. Not particularly interested in politics, she kept quiet and observed people at the table. Lord Farleigh appeared in a deep discussion with Lord Ancroft but she couldn’t determine the topic from her position.

She looked over at Somerton who, while in conversation with Mr. Singleton, appeared to be listening in to the dialogue between Lord Brentwood and another man. What was Somerton about? He did not seem to be enjoying this party, so why did he insist on attending? She wondered if his reason stemmed from a desire to get Hannah in bed with him.

Although, Victoria had the impression that Hannah loved her husband. So why would Somerton attempt to take Hannah as a mistress? And if that was the case, there was no reason to bring Victoria along with him.

Something else was going on here.

Anthony glanced down the table to where Victoria sat next to Hardy. Perhaps he should have spoken with her as Nicholas suggested, but he could not do it yet. He knew her type. Money was everything. She would not hesitate to give information to another person who paid her more.

Nonetheless, she was sitting next to Hardy. She could have used her wiles to get information from him. Information Anthony desperately needed. No one at this party really seemed to know Hardy.

The only thing Anthony had heard is Hardy might have business with Farleigh. Yet, Anthony had not seen the two say more than a sentence or two to each other. He was starting to wonder if the information Ainsworth had given him was incorrect.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

As the luncheon ended, Anthony decided to find out exactly what Victoria might have learned about Hardy. He rounded the table to catch her before she left the room. Clasping his hand onto her elbow, he led her toward their bedroom.