The Fortune Hunter (21 page)

“Enough!” she ordered as she went to the sideboard and opened the brandy. Pouring a generous portion for herself, she selected a chair near his. “There is no need for cruelty when I wish to tell you that it was a mistake for me to leave you before.”

“That was no mistake.” Relaxing in the chair, he set his aching foot on the stool again. “You know that now as well as you did then. However, Elinor, I would not deny you the haven you seek from the new Mrs. Hurst and all her gabblemongering friends in Town. You are welcome to hide here for as long as you wish, on the lone condition that you do not interfere with my life or Philip's.”

“Philip's? Why would I wish to intrude on anything so boring?” Her eyes widened. “Or has he done the impossible and fallen in love?”

“Philip is a fine lad. Simply because he was wise enough to see through your shallow pretense of caring for me—”

“You know my love for you—”

He interrupted her as she had him. “Do be done with your trite bangers, Elinor. I have neither time nor patience to endure them.”

Elinor laughed, but he saw her gaze slip toward the door. “I am so delighted to hear of Philip's good news. It is time that one of you made a respectable match.”

He lifted his glass in a salute to this woman, who had invaded his life anew, and the woman who remained in his thoughts. Once he rid himself of Elinor, he must banish Nerissa from his life and his thoughts, too. It was time to concentrate on finding that thief. “You can be sure that it shall be him long before me.”

Chapter Twelve

“Hamilton is here!”

Nerissa lowered her book to her lap as Annis rushed into the room, the lilac ribbons of her gown whirling around her like flowers scattered by a breeze. Annis grasped her hands and pulled her to her feet, then ran to ring for Frye.

“You must get dressed!” Annis called over her shoulder as she went into the dressing room.

“Hamilton is here?” she asked, although she knew she sounded like a goosecap. “Annis, the doctor told him to rest for a few more days.”

Emerging from Nerissa's dressing room with a dress over each shoulder and two in her arms, she said, “Be that as it may, Hamilton is waiting for you in the foyer. He said that you should be quick, for he does not wish to miss any chance to rout Sir Delwyn at the card table.”

Nerissa ignored Annis's shouts at her back as she left the room. Frye gasped when Nerissa passed her on the stairs. The band of white embroidery at the hem of Nerissa's skirt struck her ankles on every step, but she did not slow her furious pace as she crossed the checkered foyer to the parlor door.

“How can you be so want-witted?” she cried.

Hamilton turned awkwardly to face her. The rest of her words dried up and blew away, unuttered. She was overtaken—as she had been so frequently—by the potent emotions in his eyes. He did not fetter them tonight as he leaned on a gold handled walking stick. Every powerful pulse washed over her, threatening to drown her in that grey sea.

“Good evening, Nerissa,” he answered calmly.

She stepped into the room. Although Philip stood next to a chair near the hearth, she did not look at him. She admired the sleek cut of Hamilton's black coat and how the lace at his collar emphasized the stubborn angle of his jaw. His dark hair was tousled across his brow. Only the cane suggested he was not enjoying the highest of health.

“The doctor wished for you to rest, Hamilton.”

He laughed. “You know I have done nothing but rest for the last week. As you did, I must prove to the ‘Polite World' that I have not dropped hooks and am even now supping with Old Scratch himself.”

“But to go to Sir Delwyn's hurricane?”

“I shall prop myself on a chair like a rickety, old dowager and indulge in nothing-sayings until Seely decides to empty his pockets of any blunt he wishes to wager.” He took a cautious step forward, leaning heavily on the cane. “Will that be satisfactory?”

“Does it matter what I say? You shall do exactly as you please.”

Philip's chuckle intruded. “She is correct on that, Hamilton.”

“Bah to both of you nay-sayers. Put on your prettiest dress, Nerissa, and let us enjoy some of Seely's hospitality.” He pointed past her. “Look, Annis is ready to go even now.”

As Philip hurried out into the foyer to greet Annis, Nerissa motioned to a chair. “Sit, and I will get ready.”

“Do not be long,” he said as he lowered himself to the chair. “You know I dislike waiting.”

She started to turn to go up the stairs, but her ears noted an edge to his voice that she had never heard before. “Hamilton, are you sure you wish to do this? We can sit here and talk while Philip and Annis—”

“I intend to go to Seely's
soirée
even if you stay here!” Exasperation sparked in his eyes. “Go, and get ready. I have no need of you mewling over me, too.”

“Too?”

She was astonished when his gaze avoided hers as he said, “Philip, of course.”

As clearly as if he was shouting it, Nerissa knew he was not being truthful. Something was amiss, something he did not mean to share with her. Had his search suffered another setback? He had been so certain he was on the verge of finding the culprit.

She put her hand on his shoulder, offering him consolation. When his fingers reached up to stroke hers in silence, he looked up at her. Again she was surrounded by the raw emotions in his eyes. No man had ever looked at her like this, and she cared little if no other man ever did. But she wanted him to look at her like this again and again and again for the rest of their days.

Was this love? Were these sweet, sultry longings what Byron had written of in his poetry? Never before had she understood, but she believed she did now.

“They would make one think that there is some verity in the idea of love at first sight,” said Hamilton, with a strained laugh, as he watched his brother and Annis whirl about to the music of a country dance in the center of the elegant ballroom. It was brightened by the crystal chandeliers at the four corners and a huge one in the center.

“They have seen each other many times,” Nerissa reminded him. Sipping on her wine, she stopped her toe from tapping to the music. This quiet corner was truly silent for the first time since their arrival an hour before. Every guest had stopped to discover how Hamilton's ankle did.

He finished his wine and set the glass on the empty chair beside him. “I suspect they will see each other many more times if Philip will forget his idiotic plans.”

“Is that what's bothering you tonight?”

“Nothing's bothering me tonight.”

She laughed shortly. “Hamilton, I believe I know you well enough now to know when you are discomposed. Is it Philip, or …?” She did not want to speak of his search in the crowded room.

“Have you considered it is nothing more important than the fact that my glass is empty and I enjoy the flavor of Seely's London particular?”

“I would be glad to get you more Madeira if you would be honest with me.”

He enfolded her hand in his. “I vow to you that neither Philip's opaque plans or that swindler are much in my thoughts tonight.”

Nerissa longed to believe him, but she could not shake her certainty that he was concealing something from her. It was futile to come to points with him when he was so stubborn, so she took his glass and went to have it refilled. She looked back over her shoulder to discover he was watching the door to the foyer intently. She had no idea what or whom he hoped to see.

Philip and Annis were laughing together by the table where the silver wine fountain bubbled brightly. As Nerissa handed the glass to a servant who ladled more wine into it, Philip asked, “How is Hamilton doing? It's most unlike him to sit so complacently.”

“He is as friendly as a hungry bear,” Nerissa answered.

“That is no surprise. I—” He clamped his lips closed as if he had already said too much.

“Philip, not you, too! Why is Hamilton being so mysterious this evening? He clearly is in a flutter, but he refuses to explain.”

“It may be no more than his ankle paining him when he has pressed it too hard.”

“It may be no more than that, but I suspect it is much more.”

“Philip,” Annis said quietly, “if something is amiss, you should not be hiding it from Nerissa. She cares deeply for your brother.”

Philip handed her a goblet of wine, then handed one to Nerissa. “I can say no more. It is Hamilton's concern. If he wishes to speak of it, then he will.”

“By all that's blue!” Nerissa snapped. “You are as pigheaded as Hamilton!”

She expected him to defend his brother, but instead he muttered, “Damn!”

Astounded, she asked, “What is wrong?”

“Her.” He pointed toward the door where a statuesque blonde was smiling as she offered her hand to Sir Delwyn.

Nerissa was baffled. She could see nothing improper about the undeniably beautiful woman, who could have been a pattern card for style, for her gown matched the most recent designs Nerissa had seen at the
modiste
's shop. The dress was of unblemished white, the silk decorated with wide eyelet lace at the hem and along the sleeves, which were edged with Vandyke. With its deep
décolletage
, the gown accented the tall woman's lovely figure, which was gaining the attention of most of the men in the room.

“I do not believe that I know her,” Nerissa said. “Do you, Annis?”

Annis glanced at Philip, then gulped, “I think … that is, I thought I might know her, but I must be mistaken.”

“You are not mistaken, Annis,” Philip answered with a frown. “I am sure she
is
the very woman you are thinking of.”

Nerissa asked, “Why are you two talking in circles? Why are …?” She silenced herself when she saw a man—whom she would be able to identify with ease amid any gathering—hobble to the woman.

Biting her lip, she watched as the woman brazenly slipped her arm around Hamilton and smiled up at him. Neither the viscount or the nameless woman had to speak of the intimacy they had shared … and might be planning to share again. The way her body clung to his in a possessive caress announced candidly that they had been lovers.

Ice cramped Nerissa's center, and she mumbled something to Annis and Philip as she put her untouched wine on the table. She did not care a fiddlestick if they thought her rude or mad. All she wanted was to flee from the sight of Hamilton and the woman. Too late, she understood why he had been watching the door. He had hoped to see this woman.

But why had he come to Laura Place and insisted that Nerissa attend this gathering with him? She feared this was his way of ending their times together. Mayhap he had discerned how a
tendre
was growing within her heart for him. He might wish nothing more to do with her.

Nerissa tried to push her way through the crowd toward the opposite side of the room. There might be a door to the garden; she may have seen it when they entered. In the cool of the dark, she might be able to regain her composure. She never reached the door. Caught by the eddies of the crowd, she could only reach the corner where she and Hamilton had been sitting.

Among the guests she heard the same name mentioned again and again.
Elinor Howe
. Elinor Howe was beautiful. Elinor Howe was the pink of the
ton
. Elinor Howe had been Hamilton's bit of muslin. The gabble grinders were speculating, and Nerissa even heard wagering, whether Miss Howe's appearance here tonight meant that she had resumed her place in the viscount's bed.

Tears stung her eyes, each one a brand upon her heart, as she thought of her foolish dreams of being more to Hamilton than a friendly face behind a hand of cards. So little she knew of him, but she found his sharp wit and teasing eyes fascinating. Yet, even while he had been intriguing with her, he must have been arranging for his castoff to return to Bath.

“I thought I might find you hiding here.”

Nerissa whirled at the good humor in Hamilton's voice. Looking past him, she discovered he was alone. Had he come to excuse himself from
her
company so he could spend the evening with his mistress? His smile faded, warning her that her thoughts were emblazoned on her face.

She sought what dignity she had remaining. “I did not realize that I was hiding,” she returned, hoping the sharp answer would cover her heartache. Aware of the dozens of ears listening to what she said and weighing each to discover her reaction to Mrs. Howe's arrival, she refused to be shamed.

“You seem to be playing least in sight.” He offered his arm. “You know I am anxious to meet Rowland and Seely at the card table.”

“You want
me
to play cards with you?” Swallowing roughly, she struggled to control her voice. “I thought you might have changed your plans for this evening.”

“I do not recall suggesting such a thing.” He seemed oblivious to the witnesses to their stilted conversation. “Tonight
you
are
my
partner, Nerissa.”

“I had thought you might want another.”

“Why?”

She stammered on her answer. “I thought … I saw …”

“I asked you to join me tonight, Nerissa. You have been enjoying good fortune at the card table. I wish to share in it.”

As he led her across the room, his steps uneven, Nerissa was certain every eye was focused on them. She saw Annis's strained face and knew, if there was good fortune to be had that evening, it was unlikely to belong to Nerissa Dufresne.

Hamilton threw his cards down and locked his fingers together on the table as he heard Rowland's chortle. The skinny fool was foxed! Yet, even as he had downed another glass of the baronet's contraband brandy, Rowland had won.

Hamilton reaimed his glower at Nerissa, who had the decency to look properly dismayed at the sudden downturn in her luck. No matter if she was his partner or played against him, she had been costing him blunt any time they had played other than the first night they had sat down with Seely and Rowland. Nincompoop that he was, he continued to allow it!