Silent Revenge (25 page)

Finally, she stepped back and looked at her finished selections. She rolled her shoulders to ease the burning stiffness and breathed a deep sigh. Done. Each pattern with the materials selected for it lay in a nice, neat row, waiting for a seamstress to begin work.

Jessica turned around. “What do you think?” she asked Melinda.

Melinda rose from the divan where she’d been observing for the last hour and more, and walked to the table. The expression on her face beamed with open adoration. “I think I will never again select a gown or decide what color to make it without you at my side. There is not one thing I would change on any of them.” Melinda placed her hand on Jess’s arm. “You love doing this, don’t you, Jess?”

“Yes. I cannot imagine doing anything else. I cannot imagine not being able to create. It’s something I can’t explain, Mel, but the designs and colors and fabrics are in here,” she said, pointing to her chest, “waiting to come out.”

“You are a marvel to watch. Truly, a wonder.”

“I don’t think that. I fear most people would think I’m crazed.” Jessica swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Or worse.”

The door opened behind them, and Melinda motioned for her to turn. Madame Lamont bustled through the door carrying a small bag. “Here,” she said, closing the door and turning the lock to make sure they were not interrupted. “I have brought payment for the design you delivered today. Do not think anything has changed, my lady. I have no intention of paying more for your designs just because you are titled.”

A bright smile covered Madame Lamont’s face, and both Jessica and Melinda laughed at her humor.

“I’m shocked, Madame,” Jessica said in mock surprise. “I was certain you would double my payment because of my new title.”

“I would double your coins only because of your talent, my friend. Never because of your title.”

They all laughed again as Madame Lamont placed the tiny velvet bag in Jessica’s hand. “I assume you do not want the money applied to the exorbitant bill your husband will receive.”

Jessica held the bag tight. “No. The money from the designs is mine. Lord Northcote will never know about it.”

“He will never discover your talent from me. But be sure to warn him of my bill.”

“Do not worry. Northcote ordered me to spare no expense. The ball we will attend Friday is far too important for him to worry about a paltry few hundred pounds in dressmaker’s fees.”

“Paltry?” Madame Lamont said with a shocked look on her face. “I will remind you of your words, my lady, when you have to explain my bill to your husband.”

They all laughed, then Jessica and Melinda moved to the door. “The gown will be ready by Friday, Madame?” Jessica asked to make sure.

“Yes. It shall be ready. My seamstresses are sewing tiny pearls on the silk already. They will work on nothing else until it is finished.”

“Thank you, Madame.”

Madame Lamont reached for Jessica’s hands and held them in her own. “No, Lady Northcote. I thank you. If not for you, I would be nothing. Your designs have made me famous. Your creations have gained me entrance to not only the cream of society, but to the queen herself. And your friendship is more valuable than the most precious gem in the world. I am rich beyond measure.”

Jessica was past words. When Madame Lamont opened her arms, Jessica took one step and held the dressmaker close. Jessica had such few friends, but those she had were so very special. “I must go now,” she said, fighting the emotion that wanted to dampen her eyes. “Thank you again for your help.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Madame Lamont answered, walking them to the door.

Every pair of eyes followed them, the gaping looks of shock and surprise still there.

Chapter 15

W
hen they exited Madame Lamont’s shop, Sanjay stood beside the carriage waiting for them. “Did you have a good day, missy?” he asked, first helping Melinda into the carriage, then Jessica.

“Yes, Sanjay. A very good day.” She sat in the seat opposite Melinda and smoothed her skirt. “I’m afraid your master will think I had an outlandishly good day when he receives the bill.”

Sanjay laughed. “That will be the master’s worry, then,” he answered, making sure she could see his face. “Are we ready to go home, missy?”

“Yes,” Jessica answered, but Melinda jumped forward and reached for her hand.

“No. Wait. I forgot my reticule. I left it in Madame Lamont’s office.”

Jessica looked at Sanjay. “Would you mind returning for Lady Collingsworth’s reticule, Sanjay?”

Sanjay bowed low with a smile on his face. “Yes, missy. I will be right back.”

Jessica watched Sanjay turn away, and when he disappeared into the shop, her gaze moved to three men sitting on a wooden bench in a little shaded area Madame Lamont had for bored husbands and those not inclined to mingle amongst a gaggle of gossiping women discussing fashion and finery.

She recognized two of the men—Baron Farley and Viscount Reddington. Farley was a plump, middle-aged gentleman with a shiny bald crown gleaming in the bright sunshine. Jessica thought his head would soon be deep red if he didn’t put on the hat he held in his hand.

Reddington sat in the middle, and Jessica recognized him immediately by his long mane of snow-white hair. Few elderly men were blessed with such beautiful white hair as the viscount had.

“Who is the man sitting on the bench beneath that big shade tree, Mel? The man holding the gold-handled walking stick?”

Melinda leaned forward in her seat and looked out the window. “That is the Earl of Chitwood. He’s probably paying court to Lady Crestwall. Rumor has it that the earl is in dire need of the money the marchioness was left by her late husband.”

Jessica watched their mouths as they discussed their surprise at seeing the Northcote carriage in public and the strange Indian servant who had been waiting in the sunshine for the past two hours.

“
Did you catch a glimpse of Northcote’s new bride
?” Baron Farley asked, dabbing at the top of his head with a white lace handkerchief.

“
Only from the back as she left the dressmaker’s.
” The earl turned his stick in front of him and then raised his hand to smooth the red satin cravat at his neck. “
Lillian says she is quite common. Wears the most atrocious gowns imaginable. She cannot fathom someone as well-bred and refined as Northcote

marrying her of his own free will. She is sure there must have been pressure applied from some quarter.
”

Reddington raised his shoulders, and both men turned to him. “
The talk at White’s
,” he said, nodding his head, “
is that the shy little recluse came with a very large bank account. That would make even the most reluctant of men overlook a multitude of flaws in a wife. A large dowry often more than makes up for the lack of a title as well as a homely face and no personality.
”

“
And I cannot think of anyone more desperate for a dowry than Northcote
,” the earl said.

“
But so desperate that he would saddle himself with Tanhill’s stepsister
?” the baron asked, twisting his hat in his hand.

The earl tapped his walking stick on the cobblestones a few times and then continued. “
I have it on good authority that Northcote had no choice. He either took her as his wife or he lost everything. Although, what he thinks when he compares her to Rosalind is far beyond me.
”

“
Perhaps he no longer thinks of Rosalind
,” Reddington said. The stunned looks both men gave him showed their disbelief.

“
Would you be able to wake up each morning facing another woman, and not think that you could be waking up next to the beautiful Rosalind
?” the earl said.

Baron Farley wiped the perspiration from his forehead again. “
Not a chance.
” He stopped in midmotion. “
What do you think will happen when Rosalind and Northcote come face-to-face? I’m surprised they haven’t already. She’s bound to want things to be as they were before
.”

“
But he is married now
,” the earl said.

Baron Farley lifted his head and laughed. “
Do you think a wedding band will cause Rosalind a moment’s hesitation? If it does, it will be the first time
.”

The Earl of Chitwood gripped his outstretched hands on the gold handle of his walking stick and seriously contemplated the whole situation. “
I can only tell you what I would do if I were Northcote. As soon as I was assured of an heir, I would pack my wife off to the country so I would be free to set Rosalind up as my mistress. I can’t imagine Northcote keeping his dowdy wife underfoot here in London while he is out having a gay time with the beautiful Rosalind. I doubt his lovely mistress would be adverse to spending the Northcote wealth for a second time
.”

Both men laughed. “
I should say not
,” Baron Farley said. “
And this time she could have it all without the boundaries of marriage
.”

The pressure in Jessica’s chest tightened. She tried to swallow twice before she could make her throat work. Melinda tugged on her arm, trying to gain her attention, but she ignored her.

Simon was in love with another woman. Someone he intended to make his mistress.

Melinda tapped her arm again, and Jessica slowly turned toward her. Sanjay had returned and was waiting for permission to go home. He looked first at the three men now standing in front of the wooden bench, then looked back at her. There was a frown on his face.

“Is everything all right, missy?”

Jessica wanted to answer, but she could not make her voice work. She could only nod her head and sit back in the seat of the carriage with her hands clenched.

“Jessica. What is it?” Melinda said, reaching across the seat to hold Jessica’s hands. “What were those three men saying?”

“Nothing. Nothing important.” Jessica closed her eyes and swallowed hard. “Are we ready, Sanjay?”

“Yes, missy. I will take us home now.”

Sanjay leaped to the top of the carriage with the driver, and Jessica leaned back against the soft maroon leather seats when the carriage lurched forward. Melinda asked twice more what was wrong, but how could Jessica tell her she’d just had her worst fears voiced out loud? How could she tell her she’d just seen three of Simon’s peers confirm that there was another woman in her husband’s life? And that Simon would probably send her away, or even worse,
put
her away so she would not find out about his mistress.

The tightness in her chest gripped harder. She’d told herself it wasn’t safe to develop feelings for her husband, but how could she not care for him a little after the night she’d spent in his arms? How could she not care a little when she could still feel his strong, warm body covering hers, or relive the gentleness of his touch as he took her? How was it possible not to care just a little for someone with whom you shared something so special?

Jessica closed her eyes and worried her lower lip. It was far too late to stop herself from developing feelings for him. She already cared for him more than was wise.

They drove the short distance to Melinda’s town house in silence. When they arrived, Jessica thanked her friend for all her help, then waited in the closed carriage while Sanjay escorted Melinda to the door. It didn’t take long, and they were again on their way.

As the carriage rolled over the cobblestone streets, she played the conversation she’d seen over and over in her mind. Everything the three men had said was true. She was plain and ordinary to look at. Simon had only married her for her money. He had come to her bed only because he was obligated, because it was necessary for him to produce an heir. As soon as he was assured his seed grew within her, he would undoubtedly never touch her again.

Jessica tried to calm the fury building within her. How naive she had been to think there was not another woman in Simon’s life. How naive she had been to think he could ever want her. How naive she had been to think he would be satisfied with a deaf woman as his wife.

Jessica fisted her hands in her lap. It was a known fact that many of Simon’s peers kept mistresses. She’d thought this would not matter to her. As long as she was free to create her gowns, she could survive. As long as she could support herself with her creations, she would manage. But that was not the way it would be. He could not take the chance of running into his wife while escorting his mistress around London. He would want to send her away.

Jessica’s fear grew greater, her determination more resolved. She would not last a week if she were relegated to some obscure country manor so her husband was free to be with someone he still loved.

She had to protect herself. She had to have the home he’d promised to give her before they had married. She had to have a place to call her own if—when—he left her for this Rosalind.

When the carriage pulled up in front of Simon’s town house, Jessica almost jumped out before Sanjay had a chance to help her. The desperation she felt rushed through her veins as she raced up the walk and through the door Hodgekiss held open.