SoundsofLove (11 page)

“Are you certain you want to join us? I imagine you’ll be
left alone with this gentleman for some time, and your mother does not approve
of Americans.” The elder Lady Sibley was a renowned bigot.

Violet nodded vigorously as she smoothed her sapphire-blue
satin gown. “I’m ready for some male companionship, and Mother is far away.
Watching you and Ahlquist interact has been quite…stimulating.” She glanced
down at the creamy white tops of her breasts, exposed by the low cut of her
lace-trimmed neckline. “I think a man’s attentions are exactly what I need to
get over my distress. Perhaps it will help me to understand Geoffrey’s motives.”

Cathryn stiffened. It stung her pride badly that her husband
had sought another woman, especially when she would have welcomed him to her
bed twice a week, or even more. However, Edna had come early in his life, and
Geoffrey’s motivation seemed clear. “I think he loved her from his youth and
having her available was too much temptation.”

Violet paused to consider this. She nodded, and then added. “And
poor Nathan…married over twenty years.”

“Yes, poor man. I dread what we’ll face tomorrow with the
Lewins.” Icy currents of fear over what was to come in the next months crept
over her, and she shuddered.

Violet caught her shiver. “Are you chilled? I’ll fetch our
new cloaks.” She left Cathryn’s bedroom through an adjoining door to the
dressing room they shared, calling out along the way. “I thought perhaps it
would be a good time for the Lewins to take their holidays.”

“That’s a good thought,” Cathryn agreed as she slipped on
her new doeskin shoes. She could not resist feeling better at the supple
comfort and sleek design. The evening had been a seesaw of emotions, from dread
to joy. She wanted to stay on the joy side and forget the dread existed. “Julian
thought of everything, didn’t he? These slippers are heavenly.”

Violet emerged with a stunning cashmere cloak, chestnut
colored in background but elaborately embroidered with moss-green vines and
ferns.

“That’s the most beautiful cloak I’ve ever seen.” The cost
would have been out of the question a week before. Today it was a casual gift
from her new lover. The days of scrimping were over.

“It has the most divine ermine collar, and it matches your
dress perfectly.” Violet wrapped the exquisite creation over Cathryn’s
shoulders and the two women stood in front of a long looking glass.

“It’s been quite some time since I exposed so much of
myself.” Cathryn’s off-the-shoulder bodice draped just above her nipples and
the cameo weighed the center down to reveal even more of her breasts.

“It’s been five years for me.” Since Mr. Pickering had died.
“And I’ve never worn my hair like this in public.” Red curls framed Vi’s face
and cascaded down her back.

“Well, I think Julian’s right. We should break out of our
shells tonight and put the past behind us.”

“Don’t worry about me, Cat. I am ready for nearly anything
tonight, if the man is right. I want to scream at the world, if you know what I
mean.”

“Yes, exactly. Let’s go raise a ruckus in Vauxhall.”

* * * * *

Julian was unprepared for his reaction to seeing Cathryn in
her copper silk gown. As she descended the stairs and smiled at Violet by her
side, a rush of images poured through his mind. Cathryn in her bridal gown of
ivory lace, the new Countess of Trenchford presented to the Queen, Lady
Ahlquist greeting guests at Lindenhorn, Cathryn surrounded by their children.
She was going to be the perfect wife for him, gracious and sensual, beautiful
and modest, bold and tenacious—everything he wanted in a mate.

He stepped forward to greet her at the bottom of the
stairway and took her cloak from her as he bowed. “I am humbled by your beauty.”
His eyes met hers and he felt as if he had come home after a long journey. All
he could think of to say was, “You will marry me, won’t you?”

“Yes, my lord.” She placed her hand in his, and he kissed
her knuckles lightly. He inhaled deeply as she finished, “But not tonight.” Her
glove smelled of soothing lavender, and her warm eyes promised that tonight she
would make him the happiest man alive.

A throat clearing brought him back to the cold foyer.

Julian kept her hand as he turned to face his friend. “Pardon
me, I’m hopelessly distracted. Lady Cathryn Sibley, Mrs. Violet Pickering, may
I introduce Mr. Rune Darbonne, who hails from Boston.”

“Well done, Julian,” Violet muttered to him as she set her
cloak on the banister and extended her hand to the tall, dark-haired American. “Mr.
Darbonne, it’s a pleasure.”

“I assure you, Mrs. Pickering, the pleasure is all mine.” He
bowed over her hand in a manner that suggested he was comfortable with English customs.

“Well, I hope not,” she teased, and his eyes widened.

“Mr. Darbonne,” Cathryn interrupted with a sidewards glance
at Violet. “It’s very nice to meet you.” Julian still held her right hand, so
she extended her left and the American bowed.

“Lord Ahlquist told me I would be thanking him for this
introduction, and I can see he was right.” He scanned them appreciatively. “I
do believe you are the most beautiful women in all of London. I only regret not
meeting you sooner.”

Julian watched with amusement as the man charmed the ladies,
but he was not exaggerating. This was going to be a night to remember. Violet’s
suggestive comment meant she was in the game, probably due in part to the
sherry he’d seen her consume on an empty belly. He knew Darbonne would treat
her well. The American was a student of Master Aubrey. Julian had fenced
against him several times in the past months and seen him pay proper deference
to the extraordinary Fiona. He might lack the refinement of an Englishman, but
one did not need a coat of arms to be noble in character. He was rumored to be
heir to an enormous fortune, but he had the democratic manners inherent to the
colonists. Julian found him refreshing.

“We would like to offer you a challenge, gentlemen,” Violet
said coquettishly. “No talk of the past tonight, only the present and the
future.”

Cathryn continued the plea. “We’ve just come out of
mourning, and we’ve had a dreadful day, Mr. Darbonne. Lord Ahlquist hopes to
divert our attentions, and we are most in need of diversion.”

“The earl told me some of your situation on the way here,
and I gladly accept your challenge. Let’s move forward and see what pleasant
mischief we can find. Ahlquist has a unique evening planned.” He picked up
Violet’s royal-blue velvet cloak and helped her put it on.

Julian finally relinquished Cathryn’s hand and held her
cloak up for her. She turned her back to him and he leaned into her, nuzzling
her neck as he settled the ermine around her shoulders. Her hair smelled of
lemon and herbs, rather like a summer garden. The embroidered cashmere cloak
suited her perfectly. “Thank you for indulging me and wearing your hair loose.”

“I hope we’re not seen by anyone we know.”

Julian smiled as he turned her to face him. “I have a very
private evening planned.”

“In Vauxhall?”

“It’s closed to the public tonight. The owner offers it for
private parties on occasion.”

“You’ve rented Vauxhall just for us?”

“Not all of it, only one of the Chinese pavilions.”

“What if I had stayed in Oxford?”

He answered her with a quick kiss on the cheek. “I believe
there should be forfeit required if we speak of the past this evening.”

Cathryn blushed, but she smiled. “If kisses are the penalty
I think you will spend the evening trying to lose.”

“Your point is well taken, my lady. Perhaps something less
tempting but equally stimulating to the evening.” He offered Cathryn his arm
and started for the door.

Violet giggled and said, “Perhaps a secret?”

“Yes, good.” He smiled her way and returned to Cathryn. “We
shall have to tell a secret.”

Cathryn shook her head. “That’s bound to bring up the past.
Perhaps a wish for the future.”

“A secret desire,” he countered. Julian took his hat and
gave his footman a wink of thanks.

“That’s hardly fair,” Cathryn said as she led the group out
into the cool evening. “Mrs. Pickering and I know one another so well—”

“No, Cathryn, I should like to know your hopes for the
future.” Violet smiled. “All those nights we spent in our parlor—”

Julian cut her off. “Ah, ah, Mrs. Pickering—the past…”
Another footman opened the door to his carriage and Julian helped Cathryn in,
then turned to Violet.

“Oh, yes, well, let me think.” She placed her hand on
Darbonne’s sleeve. “A secret desire…well, I’ve always wanted an evening to
remember when I’m old and gray.” She smiled up at Darbonne, and Julian could
see the man falling under her spell. “An evening unlike all the others.”

Darbonne covered her hand with his and said, “I’ll do my
best.” Then he glanced at Julian with a wide-eyed grin. “Thank you, Ahlquist.”
He helped Violet in with an amusingly eager expression.

Julian chuckled. “You can write a tribute to the ladies and
publish it in one of your magazines.” He followed the man into the carriage and
settled beside Cathryn, who was still adjusting her skirts.

“I’ve never written anything like that.”

“Ah, Mr. Darbonne. I believe that qualifies as the past.”
Violet said as she smoothed her gown. “Although we must come back to your
magazines as soon as you’ve shared a desire with us.”

The carriage was quiet as Rune considered his response. “I
have also always wanted an evening unlike the others of my routine life,” he
said quietly. He placed his hand on Violet’s. “A night to remember, where I
throw caution and duty to the wind and simply enjoy life’s pleasures.” It was
meant to be lighthearted, but Julian could hear the sincerity in the man’s
voice and was as touched as the ladies seemed to be.

“Surely a man such as yourself has ample opportunity to
sample life’s pleasures.” Violet countered gently. “It’s we ladies who must be
cautious.”

“My father said, wait…he says,” Darbonne caught himself in
time and they all laughed. “He says, well not for nearly twenty years, but he
would if I were younger. He says that I should never seek the attentions of a
woman who would not be a good mother to my children.” Silence followed his
disclosure, and he rushed to clarify. “I’ve not always followed his advice,
mind you, and I’m no saint,” he added.

Julian chuckled inwardly at the bind the man had gotten
himself into.

Rune forged on. “But I see the merit of his words, and I
will repeat them to my sons, should I be so fortunate as to have some.”

“Indeed, Darbonne, that is sound advice,” Julian offered in
camaraderie.

Violet and Cathryn were sharing a look Julian didn’t
understand, so he asked, “What is it, ladies?”

Cathryn giggled. “I believe we were both thinking of the
irony of our meeting like this. For nearly every day of our long acquaintance,
Violet and I have been occupied with domestic matters and being paragons of
womanly virtues.” She placed her hand on Julian’s and smiled. “Tonight we want
to be wicked, but we don’t want you to think poorly of us tomorrow.”

Julian considered her dilemma and chuckled. “I want a wife
who will be proper in public and a good mother for our children, but I’d also
like her to be wicked in private and a good wife to a lustful man.”

He smiled across at Darbonne, who was staring at Violet. “Wouldn’t
you agree?”

“Oh, yes, my lord.” Darbonne continued his unabashed perusal
of Violet. “I suppose some women could be both.”

Violet was clearly enjoying his attentions, and Julian
returned to Cathryn. “I believe you owe a forfeit, love.”

“Do I? Oh, yes, well.” She stared into his eyes. “A secret
desire?”

She shook her head slightly and he urged her on. “Say it,
please.”

“I…I’ve always wanted to meet a man who treated me as an
equal, who didn’t condescend to me in his speech or his behaviors.” She
challenged him with her eyes. “I don’t mean that I wanted to be treated exactly
the same as a man. I adore being feminine,” she said as she glanced down at her
attire, “but I believe my capacity for thought and reasoning to be the equal of
any man, and I would like my voice to be heard.”

He could not deny her intelligence. But could any woman be a
man’s equal? He had followed her gaze down to her bosom, and his eyes refused
to leave the glorious sight. Creamy white and soft as pillows. “Well, I also
adore your feminine qualities.” He pried his eyes away to see her staring at
him with something approaching a scowl. “And you have a remarkable mind,” he
added guiltily.

Damn, he’d misplayed that round of this game. Even Violet
looked put out. Darbonne stifled a smile.

“Are you a suffragist, Lady Sibley?” Darbonne inquired,
saving Julian from further unwarranted disdain. Such splendid breasts were an
unfair distraction.

“The vote for women? I’m not certain men will ever allow
that, and Parliament is not a desirable destination for most women, although I
know a few who would welcome the opportunity.” Cathryn and Violet nodded at one
another. “No, Mr. Darbonne, I’m not a revolutionary. I would simply like to be
able to own property and not be treated as chattel in our courts and by our
politicians.”

“The vote would bring you that power,” he said quietly.

Julian was astonished. “Are you a suffragist, Darbonne?” He
would be the first of Julian’s acquaintance.

“I have eight sisters and six of them have attended teaching
seminary. I believe my second oldest sister could be resident of the United
States, if she were a man. She runs a seminary and has assembled a committee to
form a college for women near Boston. My oldest sister heads one of my family’s
newspapers and does a very fine job. It seems a sacrilege that they can’t vote,
and I’m the runt of the litter, well, intellectually, and I get to have my say
every two years.”