Seduction In Silk: A Novel of the Malloren World (Malloran) (30 page)

C
laris had lingered over tea as long as was reasonable, but she ha
d to surrender to her brothers’ demands to explore. She could have sent them out with Lovell, but she would not sit at home waiting, waiting, waiting.

She was apparently to be left to manage for herself. This was what she’d wanted, she reminded herself—to be independent, and especially not to be dependent on any man, especially a husband, for anything.

Athena and Ellie had already left to call on friends.

Her brothers wanted to go to the Tower, but Lovell explained that to do so would be a long journey, so they settled for walking to St. James’s Park to see the pelicans.

“And then to Horse Guards?” Tom begged. “There might be soldiers on parade.”

Claris consulted the map. “That’s a reasonable way to return. This evening we can make plans for other outings.”

Pelicans and Horse Guards satisfied the twins as a first effort, even though the adventure took little over an hour. Once home again, they planned longer adventures. Perry still hadn’t come.

Claris allowed her brothers to teach her a new card game, and she was too absorbed by it to hear noises, so his entry into the drawing room startled her.

In truth, it caught her breath, and he almost seemed a stranger. She could only be grateful that the twins were greeting him with wild enthusiasm, competing to tell him all their news in a moment. She had time to compose herself before having to face him.

She rose to curtsy. “Good evening, sir.”

“So formal. Cross with me?”

“Very well, yes. I enjoy being mistress of my own estate, but you abandoned us in strange territory.”

All the same, she couldn’t suppress a smile. Despite the elegant blue suit, the silver-buckled shoes with a high heel, and the expensive lace at neck and wrists, he was still Perry.

“I’m sure you’ve managed splendidly. Lovell not here?”

“I gave him the evening off.”

“Kindhearted as well.” He looked at the counters on the table. “Brag again?”

“Matrimony, which Lovell seems to have taught my brothers. Another gambling game.”

He pulled up an extra chair. “Let’s resume. But I need to fortify myself. Tom, of your kindness, run down to command wine for me. A glass for your sister as well.”

Tom hurried off, proud to be put to use, and soon the upstairs maid came in with a decanter of wine and two glasses.

Claris resolved to be as carelessly demanding.

Of her husband as well as her servants.

They settled to the simple game, which required no skill at all. She preferred it to brag because she thought the illusion of skill in that game was too appealing to her brothers, especially to Peter.

Was Perry truly more handsome than she remembered?

Did being here in his Town brighten him so much?

That only emphasized the differences between them, for despite her silken finery, she already longed for the simple life at Perriam Manor. All the same, she began to resent her brothers. She was unsettled by her husband, but she wanted to be alone with him. Very much.

The clock struck eight, and Perry gathered the cards. “Off to bed,” he said to the twins, “if you want to be fit for a visit to Westminster Abbey tomorrow.”

Tom plucked up courage to say, “We’d rather go to the Tower.”

Perry laughed. “When William the Conqueror built the place, he could never have imagined its appeal to the young.”

“Will you take us?” Peter asked.

“I must decline. The appeal of the wild beasts faded sometime back. They smell.”

Both twins shook their heads at this paltry attitude, but they went off without further protest. Tom even yawned.

Claris suddenly felt tongue-tied.

“Your grandmother and Miss Gable?” he asked.

“They went out after dinner and haven’t yet returned.”

“I doubt they’ve come to harm. They’re wise to the ways of the world. How are you, Claris? You look well.”

“I am,” she said, wondering if he was asking about a child.

She should tell him.

But if she did, he might not . . .

They were to share a bed. . . .

“Something disturbs you?”

“It would be pleasant to be able to conceal my emotions!”

“Then practice. What bothers you? ’Tis a husband’s duty to smooth your path.”

To bed?

She seized on her only other need. “Then you may smooth my path to Deptford.”

He blinked. “You intend to take ship, or build one?”

Claris shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m not making sense.”

“Why Deptford?” he asked gently.

“My mother and Aunt Clarrie were born and raised in a village nearby, a place called Wellsted. I want to go there and find out about them.”

“It’s decades ago.”

“There must still be people who knew them, who knew their family.”

“True, but why? Why now?”

“When before have I had the opportunity?” she snapped. Then she took a deep, steadying breath. “I apologize again. I know it’s foolish, but the curse still weighs on me. At Perriam Manor there are so many reminders of the tragedies.”

“Such as the smothered babes.” He took her hands. “Claris, if there was a curse, we’ve negated it with our marriage.”

“I know, I know, but . . .” She clutched on to him. “
Have
we? The curse was to last through the generations. It was my mother who claimed it could be ended by my marriage to a Perriam, but that could have been pure invention. Why would she know anything of curses?”

“Why should your aunt?”

“Exactly! I need to know more about them.”

“You want to discover that they were good Christian ladies, true to the bone. What if you discover they were both witches from a long-established coven?”

“They both had prayer books.”

“Perhaps witches can pretend to be Christians. This is an unhealthy obsession, my dear.”

“You don’t worry about it?”

“No.”

She studied him. “Truly?”

He grimaced. “Not since leaving Perriam Manor. Perhaps you need to avoid the place.”

“It’s my home.”

Was that another grimace?

“You truly want to visit this Wellsted?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He raised her left hand and kissed her fingers. “Then I’ll take you there as soon as possible.”

That proviso again. “When?” she demanded.

“I can’t be specific. A particular matter I’m involved with is coming to a head. Any old truths aren’t going to evaporate. Wellsted will wait.”

“I’m only here for a week.”

“Ah, true. Then I promise to take you within the week.”

She squeezed his hands. “Thank you.” With great daring, she drew their joined hands toward her and kissed his fingers.

His eyes rested on hers, darkening with promise. She met his gaze and smiled, hoping that made an invitation, an agreement. . . .

Athena and Ellie entered.

“So delightful to be in Town!” Athena exclaimed, oblivious to any mood. “We’ve enjoyed the company of a number of old friends. Sappho is holding a philosophical assembly the night after tomorrow. You should come with us.”

“Sappho?” Claris queried, wishing her grandmother to the devil. She and Perry had separated hands and she felt the loss.

Perry answered her. “A poetess among other attributes. Her gatherings are always entertaining—as long as one isn’t of the most conventional disposition.”

“I probably am.”

“Then you should overcome the flaw. If I’m free, I’ll escort you.”

“We need no escort,” Athena said, settling on the settee, “but Claris would probably be more comfortable. I have news that might interest you, Perriam. I encountered my nephew’s wife at Lady Collarby’s. She almost choked on her cake and then tried to pretend that I didn’t exist.”

“She was worried about her husband’s reaction,” Ellie pointed out, sitting beside her. She sent Claris a look that might have been apologetic.

“Indubitably,” Athena said, “but only a mouse worries about such things.”

“As a husband, should I object?” Perry asked.

“You’re not such a fool, and Littlehampton is hardly dangerous. I’ve had encounters with him from time to time. When put out he merely sulks.”

“He might be otherwise with a wife,” Claris said. “When at home and private.”

“Then she shouldn’t tolerate it. Speaking of ladies who tolerate no nonsense, I gather Theresa Cornelys still reigns in Town despite her debts. So wickedly delightful . . .”

She continued in this vein, and Claris couldn’t bear it. She rose.

“You must excuse me, but I’m tired. Good night.”

This house had bellpulls, so once in her bedchamber, she rang for hot water.

She was somewhat tired. Today she’d moved from a country manor to fashionable Town; from countryside to groomed parks. She’d expected St. James’s Park to be the exclusive preserve of the rich, but elegant men and women had strolled amid ordinary folk, and some who looked very disreputable.

She’d seen an urchin snitch a man’s handkerchief and flee nimbly through grasping hands to make his escape. She’d been glad, for he could have faced the hangman for it, despite his age. All the same, it pointed out the dangers of this world.

London was also noisy, sometimes chaotically so. Wheels jangled on cobblestones, and street sellers cried their wares, selling everything from pies to pins. Even here, on what should be a quiet street, there seemed to be endless comings and goings. Perhaps that was why the bedchambers were at the back of the house. It was quieter here.

She rubbed her head.

Oh, for the peace of the countryside.

But Perry wasn’t in the countryside. He was here. His blue silk robe was draped over the end of the bed, side by side with her pink.

Alice brought hot water and helped her out of her gown.

“Are you comfortable here?” Claris asked.

“Well enough, ma’am. The other servants are pleasant, and interested to know I’m from Lord Ashart’s household.”

In other words, Alice had established her high status in the basement realm. That could serve Claris as well. Had Alice known that? Probably. The maid was experienced in such matters.

Claris went behind the screen to wash. “Do you have friends or relations in Town, Alice?”

“My brother is footman to Lord Hertford, ma’am, but I don’t know if he’s here.”

“If he is, we must arrange a time for you to visit him, or he could come here.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Alice had put the fine nightgown to hand, so Claris put it on, but when the maid left she considered a daring idea. She could imagine the heavy silk sliding off her naked body. . . .

It seemed wicked in the extreme, but she took off the nightgown and put on the robe. Usually she tied only the ribbon at the neck, but now she tied all four. Alas the lowest one was at thigh level. When she walked, her legs showed.

She swallowed and looked at the nightdress, tempted to put in back on.

But she wouldn’t.

Alice had plaited her hair, but now she unraveled it and brushed it out. She turned her head to see the effect in the candlelight. On Ellie’s advice, she’d been rinsing it in beer, and perhaps it had brought out some lights. Her hands were smooth now, thanks to the cream and to remembering to wear gloves when she puttered in the garden.

She used a cream on her face as well, and it might have conquered the effect of the sun, but it hadn’t erased her freckles. She leaned closer to the mirror. If she painted, she could cover them up. . . .

“Have you found a blemish?”

Claris turned on the seat, heart pounding. “How can you be so quiet?”

Perry looked at her and smiled. “I came in quietly in case you were already asleep.” His gaze moved down to her legs, her exposed legs. “I’m so very pleased that you aren’t. That is the perfect garment for you.”

Claris blushed, pulling the front together. “I . . . I . . .”

“You hoped to please your husband, and you do. Very much.”

He captured her clutching hands to free them and drew her to her feet. Smiling into her eyes, he said, “I’ve missed you.”

That made it possible for her to say, “I’ve missed you too. I’m sure I shouldn’t. . . .”

“Why not?” He kissed her lips.

“You bullied me into this marriage!”

“I persuaded you into it. And wasn’t I right?”

She looked into his eyes, his darkened eyes. “Maybe.”

“Tut-tut. You’d rather be at Lavender Cottage?”

“Irritating man. Very well, you were right. Despite the curse.”

He kissed her again, more firmly. “There’ll be no more mention of that curse tonight.”

“Or?”