The Elusive Wife (17 page)

“If you wait for me to agree, my lord, you will certainly be much too old to…” Her face felt as though it would burst into flames at what she’d almost said. She clamped her lips into a tight line as she turned from him.

Jason’s laughter echoed against the walls of the carriage.

Chapter Nineteen

As predicted, Lansdowne agreed wholeheartedly with Jason’s edict that Olivia move her things into Coventry townhouse.

Elizabeth hugged Olivia as the last of her belongings were loaded onto Jason’s carriage. “We will see you at the Markwicks’ house party, won’t we?”

Olivia smiled at her friend. “Yes, I plan to attend.”

“We will both see you there.” Jason slapped Grif on his shoulder. He glanced over at Olivia, who kept her face masked in calmness, despite the grinding of her teeth.

Is there no getting away from the man?

“What do you intend to tell your staff?” Olivia clutched her hands in her lap as she and Jason rode to his Town residence.

“Unless you want to tarnish your reputation, we must tell them of our marriage.”

“Won’t they talk?”

“Of course. Every one of my household members is capable of speech.” He grinned, mirth dancing in his eyes.

She huffed. “You know exactly what I meant.”

“My staff is loyal and close-mouthed. I pay them well enough to be so. You have nothing to fear.” He leaned forward. “But again I warn you, my love, the present situation will not continue for long. I have no intention of standing by while other men vie for your attention. You belong to me and soon everyone will know it. You must reconcile yourself.”

Despite her brain’s protest, Olivia’s insides tightened at the power in his words. He wanted her, and as much as she attempted to resist, her body betrayed her. She would have to make arrangements to leave for Italy sooner than the end of the Season. If she spent too much time in Lord Arrogant’s company, he would overcome her resistance. An accomplished seducer, she had no doubt he’d get his way, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to be another
ton
wife, on the prowl for a new bed partner while her husband did the same.

…

Lord and Lady Markwick welcomed Olivia and Jason, not commenting on the fact that they arrived together.

“Are Lord and Lady Lansdowne on their way, then?” Lady Markwick inquired.

“Yes. With all the baggage the ladies required, I offered to drive Lady Olivia down,” Jason said smoothly.

“That was most thoughtful, Lord Coventry.” Their hostess summoned one of the footmen and directed him to show them to their rooms.

Jason was irritated to find his room nowhere near Olivia’s. He bristled. This whole charade had gone on long enough, and very soon it would end. He was not a man to allow things to drag on when he wanted something. Before this house party ended Olivia would be in his bed or all his experience as a seducer had been for naught.

A shrill voice interrupted his musings as he followed the footman into the room. “Lord Coventry!” He turned and inwardly groaned as the annoying Lady Cicely hurried toward him.

“My lord, Mama and I were so looking forward to your arrival.”

Jason bent over her outstretched hand and kissed it. “My lady, a pleasure.”

“Do join us in the drawing room. Tea is being served, and I will save a place right next to me on the settee.” She batted her eyelashes and pursed her lips in what she apparently assumed was a seductive look.

“I will need to get settled, but then I will be most happy to take some tea.” He would find Olivia in this blasted house and make sure she stuck by his side for the length of the party. He’d been ducking scheming innocents with determined mamas for years. That he needed to continue to do so when already leg-shackled was ridiculous.

After washing up from the trip and changing into fresh clothes, Jason set out to find Olivia. He’d had Grady discreetly ask among the servants to determine where her room was and made his way there. He knocked gently and after a few moments the door opened. Jason ducked in, and closed the door.

Olivia stared at him. “What are you doing here? If someone sees you in my room I will be ruined.”

“My dear, this whole charade has become wearisome. How can you possibly be ruined because your husband is in your room?” He strolled over to the window and watched members of the party take their tea outside on the terrace.

“What do you want? Or are you merely here to make a point?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I have come to escort you to tea. Lady Cicely just waylaid me in the hall and offered to save me a seat next to her on the settee during tea.”

Olivia grinned and said cheerfully, “Oh dear.”

“Indeed. I will prevail upon you to stick by my side during this infernal party. I don’t like the look in the chit’s eyes.”

Olivia glanced in the mirror. “Poor Lord Coventry. The ladies are always chasing you, are they not?”

“Let us not start that again.” He joined her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. They regarded themselves in the mirror. “Or we could stay right here and occupy ourselves in other ways.” He smirked at the shudder that raced through her when he nuzzled her neck.

Olivia wriggled from his embrace, her face flushed. She patted her hair and fussed with her dress. “Shall we, my lord?”

Tea service had been set up in both the drawing room and terrace. Lady Cicely sat in the drawing room, so Jason escorted Olivia to the terrace. They carried cups of tea and plates of dainty sandwiches of cucumber and watercress and wandered the terrace until they spotted an empty table near the steps leading to the garden. The air was redolent with the scent of flowers from the carefully kept grounds. Olivia and Jason chatted easily while they had their tea, pausing occasionally to speak with guests who stopped by to greet them.

“Lord Coventry. Here you are. I was in the drawing room.” Lady Cicely sauntered over to the small table, twirling her parasol over her shoulder. She smiled brightly at him and turned a pinched face toward Olivia. “Lady Olivia. How nice to see you.”

“Likewise, Lady Cicely.” Olivia dipped her head politely.

“Lord Coventry, I wonder if you would accompany me in a stroll in the garden? I understand the flora here is beyond compare.”

The boldness of the girl once again stunned him. She was getting a bit too insistent, and Jason would need to put a stop to it quickly. He eyed Olivia. “My lady, would you care to join us in a walk?”

A slow red flush crept up Lady Cicely’s face and the hand gripping the parasol turned white as she tightened her hold. “Yes, do,” she said through gritted teeth.

Olivia stood. “I think that would be pleasant. Thank you for suggesting it, Lady Cicely.”

Jason extended both arms for the ladies and they began their stroll. Lady Cicely spent most of the time directing her comments to Jason. It seemed she had received the two more offers for her hand that her mama had been sure she would acquire before the season ended. But, alas, none of the gentlemen who offered for her met her requirements. Despite no one asking what those requirements were, she rattled off a list of “must-haves” that came remarkably close to describing Jason. Olivia’s hand fisted where it rested on his arm as the girl chattered on and on.

While Lady Cicely prattled, Jason planned how to get Olivia in bed and finally put an end to the crippling lust he felt every time he came near her.

“Don’t you agree, Lord Coventry?” Lady Cecily’s voice cut into his thoughts. He stared down at her, his face completely blank.

What the devil was she going on about now?

He glanced over at Olivia who was busy enjoying nature.

“Yes, indeed,” he mumbled.

Lady Cecily clapped her hands and gave him a brilliant smile. “I knew you would enjoy boating, my lord. I understand our hostess has arranged for a small boating party and picnic tomorrow.” She squeezed his arm. “It will be ever so much fun!”

Jason eyed Olivia who shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Lady Olivia, I assume you enjoy boating as well?” he said, his voice raspy.

“Yes I do, my lord.” Her eyes gleamed with mirth.

Before she could say anything further, Lady Cecily cut in. “Oh, my lord, the boats are small, only big enough for two.” She leaned forward to meet Olivia’s eyes. “You would never fit in the boat with his lordship and me. I imagine someone of your age would prefer to stay on shore and watch the rest of us on the water anyway.”

Jason was taken with a fit of coughing, while Olivia glared at the young girl. “Indeed, Lady Cecily, I shall instruct the footmen to bring my shawl and knitting to keep me warm and occupied while you
young people
enjoy the day.”

Completely oblivious to the sarcasm, the girl continued to dominate the conversation.

“If you will excuse me my lady, my lord, I find a have a bit of a headache and would like to have a short rest in my room until dinner.” Olivia slid her arm from underneath Jason’s.

Lady Cecily waved her off, but Jason had had enough of the young woman’s irritating presence.

“I wanted to speak with Lord Markwick about something. If you will excuse me, I think I will accompany Lady Olivia to the house.” He bowed and hurried after his wife.

Unfortunately for Jason, his designated spot at the dinner table positioned him next to Lady Cecily and across from Olivia. Vexing enough, but Lord Wesley, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, settled in the seat at Olivia’s right, and more than once Jason looked over to see Wesley’s head bent toward Olivia, both in deep conversation.

Lansdowne, who had arrived right before dinner with his wife, was mercifully on Olivia’s left, and mindful of Jason’s black mood, tried to occupy her as much as possible.

Performances by the ladies followed dinner, and Olivia once again amazed the audience with her talent. After the music, card games ensued, and Jason found himself partnered with Lady Cecily, where they played against her parents. The looks that passed between mother and daughter were beginning to make him very nervous.

Olivia declined to play cards and spent most of the time in lengthy conversation with the Dowager Duchess Edmonstone. The way Olivia rubbed her temples convinced Jason she had not gotten rid of her headache.

After the hand had been played out, he stood. “It was a long journey for me today so I will bid you all a good night.” He walked over to where Olivia sat, dark circles under her eyes and lines of fatigue in her face. Olivia used the opportunity of his interruption to excuse herself, and left the room. After briefly conversing with the Dowager, Jason took his leave and hurried up the stairs.

He caught Olivia going into her room. “Olivia,” he called softly. She turned and faced him, closing the door behind her. Her eyebrows rose as he approached.

“I just wanted to wish you good night.” He took her hand and placed a soft kiss on her palm. Holding onto it, he drew her closer. He cupped her face with his hands and slowly lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips were soft and tasted of the sweet sherry she’d consumed after dinner.

When she didn’t pull back or stiffen, he teased her lips with his tongue until she opened. Sliding into her warmth, he groaned when he felt her response. He pulled her closer and she slid her palms up his chest and around his neck. Her heart beat rapidly against him, in rhythm with his own.

Jason broke the kiss and leaned his forehead on hers while he cupped her face and rubbed his thumbs over her jaw. “Invite me into your room, love.”

They both looked up abruptly as the sound of male and female voices drifted down the passageway. Olivia sucked in a breath, quickly opened the door, and leaving Jason on the other side, firmly closed it. He stared stupidly at the door, still panting. He ran his hand down his face and adjusted his breeches so he could walk.

I’m getting close. It won’t be long now, and it had better not be, or I will likely be a cripple.

…

Olivia leaned against the door and attempted to get her breathing under control. This was not good. It became harder every day to resist her husband and she had no desire to find herself in love with the man and then watch women parade in and out of his life. As much as she struggled against his allure, her heart was in serious trouble.

Tiredly, she undressed with the help of her maid and climbed into bed. Her thoughts drifted to the letter she’d received confirming her acceptance into the Music Academy in Rome. She sighed and rolled over, staring unseeingly at the wardrobe situated across from the bed. How had life become so complicated? All she had ever wanted was a loving husband, whom she could trust, children, and a comfortable home. If she couldn’t have that life, then perhaps a career with a symphony, and then settling into a snug little house where she could play her music and take in a pupil or two, with a cat to cuddle.

She groaned at the thought of that being the rest of her life. Why couldn’t Father have arranged for her to marry a pudgy, balding, cheerful man who she would never have to worry about wandering? Instead she had the luck to be married to one of the most notorious rakes in London. Tall, broad, handsome, wealthy, titled, and possessed a devastating smile, her husband would always be the target of the shameless women of the
ton
who were looking for diversions.

Could she trust Coventry? He’d made it quite clear he wanted a marriage in truth and desired her as a bed partner. But he never spoke of his feelings. If he truly intended to keep her from returning to Italy—and despite her insistence that she would do precisely that, she knew legally he could—she would need to make him fall in love with her. A man in love with his wife did not wander. Nor did a wife in love with her husband.

Love
.

Fear gripped her when she realized that was the feeling slowly creeping into her heart. The image of her wedding had faded, replaced by Jason’s annoyance at the advances of Lady Cecily, and his very obvious chagrin with the serving maid in the inn. Mayhap, as Elizabeth had suggested, Lord Coventry was not the scoundrel she had initially assumed.

She had no doubts he’d led the life of a typical rake for years. But his claim that he was not his father, and had no intention of having the type of marriage his parents had, encouraged her.

So far, she’d found him to be charming, caring, and interested in her welfare. But did he love her, or even feel anything near that? She sighed and turned over once more. Either she needed to pack and leave for Italy very soon, or go on a campaign to win Lord Arrogant’s love. Otherwise a broken heart loomed in her future.