The Lady Forfeits (8 page)

‘I have no family.’ Those midnight-blue eyes were utterly implacable.

‘But—’

‘At least, none that I care to acknowledge,’ he added. ‘Nor any who have cared to acknowledge me for the past eight years, either.’ There was no missing the dangerous edge of warning in his tone now.

Even so, she found herself curious to know more about the family he dismissed so easily. ‘Is Mr Charles Prescott your mother’s only brother or—?’

‘I have said I do not wish to discuss this with you any further, Diana.’ He looked down at her with fierce eyes.

The past few hours had been fraught with emotion, to say the least, and as such she did not feel inclined to humour his usual arrogance. ‘Does your desire not to discuss a certain subject usually meet with success?’ she came back tartly.

‘Invariably, yes.’ Gabriel raised amused brows as he saw the light of battle deepen in those sky-blue eyes; whether she realised it or not, Diana was every bit as headstrong and strong-willed as she claimed Caroline was!

‘What a pity, then, that it has failed in this instance.’ Her chin jutted out stubbornly.

He grinned. ‘I trust, Diana, that you are not about to disobey me before our marriage vows have even been made?’ He could not resist teasing her.

Those blue eyes sparkled rebelliously. ‘Indeed, at this moment it crossed my mind to request that part of the marriage service be omitted altogether, my lord!’

Gabriel gave an appreciative chuckle. ‘Personally, I have always preferred the part of the vows that say “with my body I thee worship”,’ he drawled and instantly had the satisfaction of seeing two wings of colour heat her cheeks. In embarrassment? Or at the memory of the times Gabriel had already taken her in his arms and kissed her?

Something, against his previous better judgement to the contrary, he felt more than inclined to repeat now. Perhaps he might allow himself a little—just a little enjoyment of her graceful, desirable body?

Diana’s eyes widened in alarm as he moved stealthily towards her. ‘I—what are you doing?’ Her voice came out as a breathless squeak as he now stood so close to her she could feel the heat of his body through the thin material of her gown.

He quirked dark brows. ‘I thought, following the tensions of the past hour or so, that perhaps a little demonstration of how I intend to worship you with my body once we are married might be beneficial to us both.’

She swallowed hard, at the same time aware that her heart had begun to pound so loudly she was sure that he must hear it too. ‘We are alone in my bedchamber, my lord…’

Those sculptured lips curved into a smile that added warmth to the intensity of those compelling midnight-blue eyes. ‘The perfect time and place, I would have thought, for such a private demonstration—wouldn’t you agree?’

Diana was more than alarmed now—she was light headed, both from his proximity, and the delicious intent reflected in those dark blue eyes fixed so purposefully upon her parted lips. ‘That will not be necessary, my lord.’

‘I do not recall saying it was necessary, Diana,’ he murmured. ‘Just something we might both enjoy.’

Diana would only be deceiving herself if she did not admit to having enjoyed the times Gabriel had already taken her in his arms, as she had noticed their absence this past two days. And perhaps the intimacy that so obviously existed between Caroline and Dominic Vaughn was having an effect on her own sensibilities—
because she wished for nothing more at that moment than for Gabriel to repeat those earlier kisses.

She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. ‘I am not sure my guardian would approve.’

Gabriel’s grin could only be described as wolfish. ‘On the contrary, your guardian is in complete agreement with your participating in the exercise.’

‘Then how can I refuse?’ She smiled up at him shyly.

As before, Diana felt light and very feminine as Gabriel took her in his arms, with that smell of lemons and flowers, her lips against his soft and yielding, the womanly curves of her body moulded against his much harder ones. Gabriel couldn’t help deepening the kiss, becoming more demanding as he parted her lips with a slow sweep of his tongue before dipping into the moist cavern of her mouth to become even more aroused by her heat.

Dear God! He should not have played this dangerous game, should have heeded his earlier warnings and avoided taking her in his arms again at all until they were safely wed. At the very least, he should find the strength to put her away from him now.

Instead he found himself groaning low in his throat as desire surged through him with the speed of a lit taper igniting paper, engorging his shaft until it throbbed with the same rapid heat as his heart pulsed. The kiss became even more passionate as his lips now devoured hers, crushing the full roundness of her breasts against his chest.

Diana’s breath caught and her neck arched as Gabriel wrenched his mouth from hers to travel the length of her throat, his tongue a rasping caress as he tasted her,
a trembling beginning in her knees and climbing to between her thighs as one of his hands moved restlessly across her back and hips before moving up to cup the softness of her breast.

‘Perfection,’ he groaned huskily, his hand tightening, fingers seeking, squeezing, plucking at the sensitised tip through the thin material of her gown even as his lips and tongue continued their sensual exploration of her throat.

Diana’s fingers moved from the broad width of Gabriel’s shoulders to become entangled in the heavy thickness of the hair at his nape, feeling on fire, her skin hot, sensitive to his every touch, every caress. His lips were moist and warm against her heated flesh as he kissed his way down to the bare swell of her breasts above her gown, causing those already aroused nubbins at their tips to pucker and harden and ache even more. For what exactly, Diana was still unsure.

Gabriel tugged down the soft material of her gown to bare one of her breasts, satisfying that ache as he drew the tight tip into the heat of his mouth hungrily, his tongue sweeping across it, making it tingle and burn at the same time.

Diana had never known such pleasure as this existed, a hot and pulsing pleasure that caused a flood of moisture between her thighs so that she now ached there too. An ache that increased as Gabriel’s fingers curled about her hips to pull her into the hardness between his thighs, moving rhythmically against her. Each stroke of that hardness sent a fierce pulse of desire deep inside her as he continued to pay attention to her breast, causing that
pleasure to build higher and higher until she suddenly felt as if she were about to explode.

‘Gabriel?’ She was unsure if that gasp was a plea for him to stop or to continue, her fingers curled tightly into his hair as she held him to her at the same time as she wanted to put an end to the torment of emotions that surged throughout her body.

Hearing the uncertainty in her voice was enough to bring Gabriel to his senses and realise exactly what he was doing, and with whom. This was no woman of experience, no woman he could take to his bed, to freely explore and pleasure, then forget all about her. Diana was to become his wife. His countess. The mother of his children. Children he fully intended would be born securely inside the parameters of their marriage so that no breath of scandal could be attached to them. Until Elizabeth was found, Diana wouldn’t marry him, and he had no idea how long it would take to find his last runaway ward. He dared not risk bedding her until the knot was securely tied.

He drew in a hissing breath as he pulled away from her and held her at arm’s length. Just the sight of her plump and bared breast, slightly reddened from the ministrations of his lips and tongue, was enough to make his thighs throb uncomfortably. ‘I believe that is enough enjoyment for one evening,’ he said unevenly as a red-faced Diana hastily straightened her gown and looked up at him with bewildered blue eyes.

Gabriel was starting to feel just as bewildered and unsure of himself whenever he was alone in Diana’s company, and he didn’t like it one little bit!

‘I believe it is time that you changed for dinner,’ he said, attempting to regain control of the situation.

‘But—’

‘Now, please, Diana.’

If she carried on standing there, tempting him, looking at him with her beautiful wide blue eyes, he might just have to take her in his arms again and that would be a disaster. Good sense and experience told him not to allow this woman beneath the guard he had so carefully erected about his emotions this past eight years. But just holding her in his arms was enough to force all those good intentions completely from his mind. What on earth was happening to him?

‘Y
ou have seemed somewhat preoccupied, all evening, Gabe.’

Gabriel looked down the length of the dining table to where Dominic was sitting, his expression uncharacteristically inquisitive as he sipped his after-dinner brandy now that the two men were alone in the dining-room.

In actual fact, Gabriel had found his friend’s whole demeanour to be out of character this evening, as the four of them had eaten dinner together before the two ladies had retired to leave the men to enjoy their brandy and cigars. Mrs Humphries had once again sent her apologies; apparently she had been rendered prostrate at the sudden reappearance of her niece Caroline in the company of the twelfth Earl of Blackstone!

Dominic was certainly a changed man. For one thing Gabriel had never seen his friend smile as much as he had this evening, let alone indulge in the lovingly teasing banter that seemed to be such a part of his relationship with Caroline Copeland.

It was a sharp contrast to the stilted politeness that now existed between Diana and Gabriel!

To make matters worse, the announcement of the betrothal between the two of them had not been met with warm congratulations at all, but with astonishment from Caroline and concerned silence from Dominic—the same concern with which he still looked at Gabriel now.

‘You and Caroline did not seem particularly pleased earlier at the announcement of my betrothal to Diana,’ Gabriel commented, sipping his brandy.

The other man grimaced. ‘Obviously I have not had chance as yet for private conversation with Caro, but I fear she may believe that her sister has only agreed to the marriage because she and Elizabeth made clear their own reluctance to do so.’

Gabriel raised dark brows. ‘And what is your own opinion on the subject?’

Dominic breathed in deeply before answering. ‘Recalling your own comments in Venice a little over a week ago, I cannot help but think that may indeed be the case. You said yourself you only offered marriage to one of the Copeland sisters because you felt it was the correct thing to do as they had been left so badly off by their father—as well, of course, as providing you with the necessary heirs.’

Both, Gabriel considered, very sound reasons for his offer of marriage to the Copeland sisters. Except he had not known Diana when he made that offer. Had not held her in his arms. Kissed her passionately. Caressed her bountiful curves…

He sat back in his seat abruptly. ‘And if it is purely a marriage of convenience?’

His friend sighed heavily. ‘I completely sympathise with your reasons for wanting to avoid emotional involvement, Gabriel. I should; I felt exactly the same way until I met and fell in love with Caro,’ he added ruefully.

‘Yes, I would be very interested to hear exactly how that came about…’ Gabriel eyed the other man speculatively.

‘No doubt you would,’ Dominic drawled drily, ‘but, as you are well aware, a gentleman does not kiss and tell.’

Gabriel raised dark brows. ‘Not even when the lady in question happens to be my own ward?’

‘Most especially then!’ Dominic grinned. ‘I would hate to have to put you in the position of having to call me out. Especially as I should win.’

Gabriel laughed. As, no doubt, he was expected to do; both men knew that of the two them Gabriel was the superior swordsman, as Dominic was the superior shot. Just as both men knew that there were no circumstances under which Gabriel would ever lay such a challenge before one of his two closest friends…

He smiled. ‘On the contrary, I wish you and Caroline every happiness together.’

Dominic gave an acknowledging inclination of his head. ‘And will you and Diana be as happy together, do you think?’

He glanced away. ‘We can only hope.’

‘Gabriel—’

‘Dominic, no matter what you may or may not think
to the contrary, I did not in any way coerce Diana into our betrothal.’ He scowled darkly. ‘In truth, I was as surprised as you when she decided to accept my offer.’

‘Caro led me to believe that Diana was to marry a son of the local Hampshire gentry. What happened to that?’

Caroline was probably also the person who had revealed that fact to William Johnston. ‘I believe you will find that it was the gentleman’s change of heart that has prompted her to accept my own offer,’ Gabriel admitted curtly.

Dominic looked regretful. ‘So this really is to be a marriage of convenience for both of you?’

‘What else?’ he said flippantly.

‘Gabe—’

‘We have been friends a long time, Dominic, and it is a friendship that I value highly, but in this particular circumstance I will thank you to keep your opinion to yourself,’ Gabriel cut in, eyeing his friend warningly.

Dominic returned that gaze for several long seconds before allowing the tension to slowly ease from his wide shoulders. ‘You do realise that at this moment Caro is probably engaged in a similar conversation with Diana?’

Gabriel nodded wryly. ‘I’m sure Caroline is advising Diana to inform me she has changed her mind and will not marry me after all.’

The other man looked intrigued. ‘And your reaction if Diana
were
to do that?’

What would he feel if that should happen? Gabriel wondered. Annoyance, certainly, at having to retract the announcement in the newspapers. But what else would he, personally, feel…?

He would feel nothing else,
nothing
! Diana was no more necessary to his happiness than any woman had been. If she should change her mind about marrying him, then no doubt he would find another quickly enough who would accept; from the mountain of invitations he had received these past two days it would appear that inheriting the earldom of Westbourne had made him as eligible to the ladies of the
ton
as it had assured his place back in society.

Besides…‘Diana will not change her mind.’

‘You sound very sure of that fact,’ Dominic murmured.

Gabriel gave a slight smile. ‘When you have come to know your future sister-in-law only a little longer you will realise that Diana is not a woman to go back on her word.’ The abruptness with which he stood put an end to that particular conversation and Gabriel moved down the table to replenish both men’s glasses before speaking again. ‘Dominic, there is something else I would talk to you about…’

The other man’s gaze sharpened. ‘Yes?’

‘I received a letter earlier this today from my mother’s companion, Alice Britton.’

‘The devil you did!’ Dominic burst out incredulously.

‘Indeed.’ Gabriel made no effort to resume his seat at the table, but instead began to pace the room.

‘For what purpose?’

He ran a hand through his hair. ‘To inform me that my mother’s health has been fragile since my father died.’

‘I am sorry for that, Gabe.’

‘As am I,’ he admitted. ‘She also wished me to know
that my Uncle Charles and his wife have resided at Faulkner Manor with my mother this past six years.’

‘Good God!’

‘Yes.’

‘What do you intend to do about it?’

‘You are the second person this evening to ask me that.’ Gabriel sighed.

‘Diana?’ Dominic said knowingly.

‘Exactly.’

‘Shall you go into Cambridgeshire, then?’

Gabriel looked at him. ‘What do you think?’

His friend snorted. ‘I think that you are as likely to return to Faulkner Manor with Charles and Jennifer Prescott in residence as you are to consign yourself to the fires of hell!’

‘Exactly,’ Gabriel confirmed.

‘Does Diana know? Is she conversant with what happened eight years ago?’

‘I am not a complete blackguard, Dominic,’ Gabriel said. ‘I felt it only fair that Diana be made aware of the…basics of that past scandal.’

‘But not the details?’ Dominic asked shrewdly.

‘No.’

‘Such as the
name
of the lady you supposedly ruined?’ his friend pressed.

‘We both know that I never laid so much as a finger on her.’ Gabriel’s mouth had thinned into a grim line. ‘And I dispute the claim that she ever was, or ever could be, considered a lady!’

‘Gabriel—’

‘No, I have not informed Diana of her name.’ His
hand was now clasped so tightly about his brandy glass that Gabriel was surprised it did not shatter.

Dominic looked wary. ‘Do you not feel that perhaps you should?’

Gabriel shook his head. ‘I don’t feel it’s necessary that I do so at this point in time, no.’

And if he had his way, it never would be…

Caroline was distraught. ‘I cannot even bear the thought of you marrying a man you do not love. Even one who has surprised us all by being so sinfully handsome,’ she allowed grudgingly.

Diana smiled affectionately at Caroline now as she paced Diana’s bedchamber energetically. ‘He is rather handsome.’

‘Even so—’

‘If, like our Aunt Humphries, you are about to raise the subject of the past scandal attached to the earl’s name, then I think you should know that he has already discussed it with me.’

Her sister’s eyes widened with curiosity. ‘He has?’

Diana smiled ruefully. ‘If we are to have nothing else between us, then I believe we are to have honesty, at least. But only between the two of us,’ she added firmly as she saw Caroline’s interest. ‘I have no intention of breaking the earl’s confidence by discussing the subject with you or anyone else.’

‘But to even think of marrying without love—’

‘Caroline, I am not looking for love and romance in my marriage.’ She sighed.

‘Why on earth not?’ her sister demanded, outraged.

Diana smiled sadly. ‘Possibly because I have good reason to know how fickle those two things can be?’

‘I do not understand.’ Caroline halted her pacing to shake her head. ‘I was sure that you and Malcolm Castle were to be married.’

‘Malcolm is no longer a part of my life.’ It was Diana’s turn to stand up restlessly.

‘But why not? What on earth happened?’

‘He is to marry another. And that is an end to it, Caroline,’ she added decisively as her sister would have demanded to know more. ‘Now I am happy to settle for marriage to a man who makes no false declarations of love, but has stated firmly and clearly exactly what he expects of me.’

‘He expects you to become nothing but a brood mare,’ her sister snorted.

Diana stiffened. ‘You are being unfair—’

‘Forgive me, Diana!’ Caroline stepped forwards to hug her impulsively. ‘It is only that to love, and know that I am as deeply loved in return, is the most joyful experience of my life: I simply cannot bear the thought of your settling for less.’ The light of rebellion shone in her sea-green eyes.

‘I am not like you, Caroline.’ She smiled gently. ‘I do not require that a man be as wildly in love with me as your earl obviously is with you. A mutual respect and liking will suit me just as well.’

‘And do you respect and like Gabriel Faulkner, Diana?’ her sister probed softly.

Did she like and respect Gabriel? Diana wondered, her cheeks feeling suddenly warm. She respected his honesty, at least, and he was, as Caroline proclaimed,
sinfully handsome. He was certainly not a man to be overlooked under any circumstances. She had also found his kisses and caresses to be thrillingly pleasurable— But did those things all add up to a liking for him?

‘I have every confidence that Lord Faulkner and I will deal very well together in our marriage,’ she finally said evasively.

Caroline eyed her. ‘That does not answer my question.’

No, it did not, because she had no idea whether or not she liked the man she had agreed to marry. Surely liking someone was a comfortable feeling, an easy relationship, and did not involve the knife-edge of awareness that Diana experienced whenever she was in his company?

‘It is enough for now that I respect both him and the honesty he has given me,’ she reiterated with such finality that even the impulsive Caroline knew not to probe any further.

‘We appear to have caused something of a stir when we announced our betrothal to Dominic and Caroline yesterday evening,’ Gabriel commented, glancing across the breakfast table at the coolly composed Diana.

Neither Caroline nor Blackstone had made an appearance as yet this morning, causing Gabriel to wonder privately whether the pair were not together in one of their bedchambers indulging in the intimacy that had been so apparent between them yesterday evening. Not that he was overly concerned if they were; Dominic had
made it more than plain yesterday that his marriage was to take place at the earliest convenience.

How different, how much more acceptable to Gabriel was Diana’s air of capable calmness than her younger sister’s obvious fiery and impulsive nature; he certainly did not envy Blackstone his choice of wife. Although he did have doubts as to whether Diana’s cool composure was not merely a thin veneer this morning.

‘Perhaps, having had opportunity to talk with your sister, you have decided that you do not wish our own betrothal to continue,’ he suggested.

‘If one more person dares to suggest that to me, then I fear I might actually scream!’ Diana pierced him with over-bright blue eyes as she glared across the small table at him.

Somehow Gabriel did not think so. ‘Caroline?’

‘Yes.’

‘And your Aunt Humphries was less than warm to the idea when she was informed, was she?’

Diana lifted that stubbornly pointed chin. ‘I have given my word, Gabriel, and I will not break it.’

His mouth quirked as she repeated the claim he had made to Blackstone the previous evening. It seemed his reading of her character was correct. ‘No matter what terrible tales you are told about me?’

‘Not even then.’

Gabriel looked at her admiringly. ‘If we’d had a dozen women like you beside us in the fight against Napoleon, then the war would no doubt have ended much sooner than it did.’

‘If that situation had been left in the hands of women,
then there would not have been a war at all,’ Diana returned waspishly.

Gabriel gave an appreciative smile. ‘You are determined to go ahead with our marriage, then?’

Diana’s outward confidence wavered slightly at the caution she sensed in Gabriel’s manner. ‘Unless you are having second thoughts on the matter?’