With His Ring (Brides of Bath Book 2) (23 page)

"Shall we wager?" she asked, a hopeful smile
lighting her face.

He shook his head emphatically. "I refuse to
take your money. Besides, I know for a fact, Blanks don't hold with
you wagering."

"But my dear Timothy, Blanks need not know
everything."

"I ain't going to let you win the race, and
I ain't going to take your money."

She pouted. "Blanks does say how talented a
driver you are. Four-in-Hand Club and all that. At all events, the
race will be good experience for me. Shall we go?" She actually
stood up, the reins drawn into her gloved hands.

"You first," he said.

With a flick of the crop, she was off.

He followed, and soon passed her. Which
fired her fury. Her horse was capable of going as fast as his. And
her rig was just as well made as his. She did not like being left
behind by him. She flicked the ribbons and brought down the crop on
the chestnut's flank. It spurred ahead and came parallel with
Appleton's phaeton and a length behind his gray.

Appleton turned to look at Glee with a
devilish grin.

Her hair had come unfastened and streaked
behind her like a flapping flag in all its coppery glory. She grew
simultaneously hot, then cold and wished for her cloak while
alternately happy that she wore none.

He pulled away again, and she furiously
flicked the ribbons, which resulted in her gaining distance. But
not enough. She lagged two lengths behind.

The passing scenery blurred by. Woods and
cottages and lanes disappeared soon after they came into her
vision. On foot, the distance between Bath and Winston Hall seemed
so very long. Even in a carriage it had. But in a racing phaeton,
the trip whisked by.

Appleton came to a stop at the avenue that
led to Winston Hall. A few seconds later, Glee pulled up. "How
fortunate that you did not allow me to wager," she said in gasping
breaths.

He ran a hand through his windblown hair and
chuckled. "You did admirably. Now, should you like to call on your
sister?"

Realizing how disgraceful she must look with
her hair flying loose, she said, "I think not. My sister would
likely not countenance such an action as I've just taken part in.
She's a bit old-fashioned, you know."

"Then canter back to Town with me. We can
plot our scheme for tonight's assembly."

She and Appleton conspired throughout their
trip back to Bath and parted near the Abbey, their plans for the
evening finalized. It had been decided that Appleton would write
the notes, for Glee feared Miss Aggremont would recognize her
handwriting from the many times she had signed the book at the
Aggremont's residence.

She had just started down Milsom Street when
a man in brown began waving at her. On closer examination, she
realized the man was Mr. Jefferson. She stiffened as she tugged the
reins.

Her phaeton had not come to a complete stop,
but it had slowed enough for him to grab on and hoist himself up
onto the seat beside her.

She flicked him an angry glance. "I don't
recall inviting you, Mr. Jefferson."

"Be that as it may, I wanted to see you this
morning. I've just left the Pump Room, where I was most
disappointed not to find you."

Her head held high, she continued driving
down Milsom Street. "Surely you could not have expected me to kiss
you in the Pump Room?"

"No, not there. Please turn around to Sydney
Gardens. There is a small grove there where we can perform the
deed."

Her hands began to tremble. "I will
not!"

"If you hope to regain possession of your
earrings, you will do as I say."

She gritted her teeth. "You really are
odious!"

"I only wish to return the earrings to their
rightful owner."

She drove on in silence for several minutes.
Perhaps she should go to Sydney Gardens with him. If he was correct
about kissing her in a place where they wouldn't be seen. .
."
If
I should be persuaded to go to Sydney Gardens and allow
you to. . .to kiss me, will you then return my earrings?"

"Of course."

"And you promise not to tell anyone about
the kiss?"

"On my honor as a gentleman."

"Methinks you are not a gentleman or else
you would not have taken my jewels." She rounded a corner and
directed the phaeton back down Gay Street, toward Sydney
Gardens.

"If it comes between honor and my desire for
you, Mrs. Blankenship, then I am no gentleman."

Her eyes widened. "Just as I thought! How do
I know I'll get back my earrings?"

"I'm rather afraid you'll have to trust
me."

"Perhaps I'll tell my husband to fetch the
earrings, after all."

"And have him think you gave me the diamonds
as a lover's gift?"

She turned to look at him through narrowed
eyes. "My husband would never believe that."

"It would be your word against mine. Don't
forget, I have the earrings and you don't."

Blanks would know of the man's dishonesty,
but she dared leave nothing to chance. Her position as Blanks's
wife was far too precarious. "I've decided to give you one kiss."
Her heart drummed madly. What if he tried to kiss her with open
mouth? Or worse. What if he. . .tried to take liberties with her
body? She would make sure they were far enough away from the crowds
that they wouldn't be seen when they kissed, but not far enough
away that her screams could not be heard if he proved to be
untrustworthy.

During the ten-minute drive to Sydney
Gardens, her hands trembled and she shivered. The sun that had
earlier negated a need for a cloak now hid behind gloomy clouds.
How she wished for a cloak! It could have served another purpose,
besides warming her. It could have covered her daring décolletage
from the wicked Mr. Jefferson's hungry gaze. For the man would not
remove his eyes from her. When she chanced a glimpse at him, the
hunger in his eyes terrified her. If only Blanks would look at her
like that!

Because the sun had all but vanished, few
people milled about the criss-cross paths of the park when she
crossed the fields that were beginning to turn green. She turned on
to the bridal path. She had never before noticed there was a wooded
area that sloped away from the rest of the park. It was truly a
place where they would not be seen.

She fervently hoped no one saw her. Her hair
still hung loose. Vast amounts of her skin were exposed. And she
was alone with a man who was not her husband. Not a proper picture
at all. To make matters worse, she was riding in a scarlet phaeton
that was sure to attract attention. If she could only get through
the next few minutes, she would take care to amend her wayward
ways. As much as Blanks liked racy women, he was sure to fume over
her scandalous behavior.

Despite the chill which sent goose bumps
down her back and arms, her cheeks grew hot as she turned down the
lane to the thicket of trees.

Then she felt it. The scoundrel had the
nerve to lay his warm hand on her exposed shoulder!

She swatted it. "How dare you! Your handling
of me, sir, was no part of our bargain."

"Forgive me. I couldn't resist. You're so
lovely."

She spun around to face him, her eyes
shooting daggers. "And so taken," she quipped.

"Ah, yes, Blankenship."

Now they were surrounded by trees on either
side of them. Only the road behind them was exposed to the park.
She came to a stop and turned to him, her shaking hands still
gripping the reins. "Kiss me, quick."

He scooted even closer to her and drew her
to him even as she tried to push away.

"I can't kiss you properly if you won't
cooperate," he snapped.

"I am cooperating, I just won't have your
arms around me."

"But, my dear, that's all part of kissing.
Has your husband taught you nothing?"

"My husband, if you must know, is an
excellent teacher." Then, still gripping the reins, she went flying
into his arms and lifted her face to his for a kiss.

She thought she would cast up her accounts
when she felt the heat of his lips come down on hers. She silently
counted to ten—most rapidly7—then pushed him away just as he was
attempting to open her mouth with his tongue. "That's quite
enough!" she shrieked as she stood up, took her crop and swatted
her chestnut, pulling the reins to turn the phaeton back to the
park.

* * *

Gregory was leaving his solicitor's on
horseback when, from the corner of his eye, he saw a bright red
phaeton whisk down Gay Street. And sitting next to his wife was a
man who looked dangerously like Jefferson. There was nothing for
him to do but to follow. Thoughts of poor Miss Douglas's fate at
Jefferson's hands choked Gregory with fear. Not Glee. Not his
sweet, innocent Glee.

As he drew closer he was able to confirm
that it was, indeed, Jefferson who sat beside Glee. And she looked
as if she had just taken a tumble in the hay. If it had been any
other woman, he would feel sure that's what had just occurred. But
not Glee. She wouldn't ever. . .She had promised. His chest
tightened and he began to tremble.

He'd not felt such a retching feeling in the
pit of his stomach since his father died. And he had only himself
to blame. If only he had exposed Jefferson over the business with
Miss Douglas, but he'd been too sensitive to the woman's
reputation. A mere cut by London society had done little to
suppress Jefferson's wanton ways. Gregory also felt guilty that
he'd given Glee so little affection that she was forced to seek it
from a man of Jefferson's ilk.

He cursed the day he had agreed to marry
her, but he knew he would never have been able to stand by and
allow Jefferson to take liberties with the girl. Whether she was
his wife or not, he would have cared.

When he saw her phaeton disappear into the
woods, he was prepared to intercede. Roiling, blinding anger swept
over him and filled him with rage as he spurred forward with
life-or-death speed. Then he saw Jefferson lay a hand on Glee's
bare shoulder, and he grew sickened. And so full of loathing he
wanted to kill William Jefferson. He jabbed his booted feet into
his mount and cursed it to go faster.

His heart pounded and his head swam as he
watched Glee's phaeton roll to a stop. Then Jefferson pulled Glee
into his embrace and kissed her.

Spurring his mount to a sprint, Gregory came
to a sudden stop at what he witnessed next. Glee stood up, took the
reins and turned around, leaving the thicket with blinding
speed.

Not wishing to be caught following her,
Gregory slipped in between some tall yews until Glee was out of
sight. He was still trembling all over and in quandary as to what
to think. His wife had clearly kissed Jefferson. Then it appeared
she had pushed him away and hastened to get back to safer ground.
What was going on?

He sat there on his mount for several
minutes, his head buried in his shaking hands. So this wretchedness
was what being married had brought him. Hang it all! He had a good
mind to get foxed.

* * *

Glee grew worried when Blanks had not
returned home in time to go to the assembly. She fought the urge to
send notes around to Timothy and the twins, inquiring about her
husband. After all, she had promised Blanks their marriage would
not prevent him from doing exactly as he had done before their
marriage.

She hated going off to the assembly without
knowing if Blanks had come to harm, but Felicity and Thomas had
planned to collect her—and Blanks—in their carriage. She could not
allow Felicity to know of her worry or to know how powerless of a
wife she was. There was nothing for it but to ride along with
Felicity and Thomas and pretend to be happy.

Her decision made, she called for Patty to
assist her in getting ready for the ball. "We must make haste,"
Glee urged. "Felicity will be here any minute."

Feeling a curious mixture of anger and
anxiety over Blanks, Glee ordered Patty to fetch the red dress. She
had no sooner put it on when Hampton—from the other side of the
chamber door—announced that Mr. and Mrs. Moreland had arrived and
were ready to go to the assembly.

Patty fastened a red plume in Glee's hair,
then Glee, without taking even a glance in her mirror, was out the
door and hurrying down the stairs.

Felicity, wearing a sky blue gown and a
scowl on her face, watched as Glee came down the stairway. Glee had
unconsciously worn the dress to get back at Blanks but had quite
forgotten that her sister was sure to disapprove of so daring a
gown.

"Oh dear," Felicity said, "Blanks will allow
you to wear that?"

"The thing of it is Blanks is not here so he
cannot object," Glee said cheerfully, taking a shawl Hampton
proffered and wrapping it around her shoulders.

"Where is our brother tonight?" Felicity
asked. "I thought he was going to accompany us."

Oh dear, what would she tell them? Were she
to say she did not precisely know where he was, Felicity would
think it odd for a new bride to be so ignorant of her husband's
whereabouts. Glee chose to avoid a direct answer. "I'm sure he'll
join us when he finishes." She only hoped Felicity did not ask what
Blanks needed to finish doing.

Felicity's good breeding prevented her from
further inquiry. "Then I'm glad we decided to fetch you, for I
wouldn't like going to our first assembly back in Bath and not have
you for company, pet."

Glee slipped her arm into her sister's and
walked with her to the front door. "I assure you I wouldn't care to
miss tonight's assembly. Blanks's chums have planned some rather
lively activity."

In the carriage, Glee enlightened Felicity
and Thomas on the twins's and Appleton's lark at the last assembly
but did not reveal what tonight's prank was.

When they arrived at the assembly, Glee's
heart sank to see that Appleton and the twins were there. Without
Blanks. She had assured herself he was with them. If he was not
with them, where was he? Her heart thudded and her stomach dropped.
Was he with another woman? With Carlotta?