Seven Nights of Sin: Seven Sensuous Stories by Bestselling Historical Romance Authors Page 12

  Flustered, Bella jumped to her feet. “Lord Maudling! Did you follow me?”

  He thrust out his chest and rose on his toes. “That’s not very welcoming. You have been keeping me at arm’s length.” He frowned. “Have I not made my feelings clear?”

  Bella picked up her book and clutched it to her chest for protection. “I don’t return your feelings, Lord Maudling. Have I not been clear about that?”

  “Foolish girl.” He pulled at his cravat, which was damp with sweat, and stepped closer. “I can offer you much. Your sons will be peers.” His hard brown eyes roamed her body. “And you can give me certain delights as a fair exchange. There are many such successful marriages in society.”

  She sidestepped him. “I don’t share your opinion of what constitutes a successful marriage, sir.”

  He grabbed her arm, his fingers biting into her soft flesh. “I’m sure I can change your mind. Just one kiss.”

  “How dare you! Let me go this minute!” Alarmed, Bella realized that no one would hear her cry for help. She didn’t trust Lord Maudling to act like a gentleman. She struggled as his arms came around her. He breathed heavily, and grew very red in the face.

  Stiff with fright, she backed toward the river. He caught her with a look of implacable determination and crushed his mouth to hers. Outraged, and a little fearful, she shoved hard at his chest with both hands. Lord Maudling staggered backwards into the reeds below the bank of the river.

  “Now look what you’ve done!” His face mottled, he stood in the water and scowled at her.

  Her father would be furious with her. He’d become even more resolved to see her married. She bit her lip and wished she’d handled Maudling better. “I’m sorry; I didn’t intend that to happen. But you wouldn’t listen.”

  He climbed out of the shallows, his trousers soaked to the knees. “My valet will never restore these boots. They’re ruined. Ungrateful girl. You should be eager to assist your father in his time of need.”

  “Need? What need, Lord Maudling?”

  “Never mind. A woman’s smaller brain cannot fathom financial matters.” Lord Maudling attempted to brush the mud from his ruined trousers and succeeded only in spreading the murky brown stain further.

  She backed away as he stalked toward her, his eyes smoldering with anger. “You will be brought into line, so it’s useless to protest. Look on the bright side. As my wife, you will be dressed like a queen. And as a reward for being a generous husband, I shall immensely enjoy teaching you how to please me in the bedroom.”

  With a gasp, Bella turned and ran back toward the house, her hat bouncing on her shoulders by its ribbons. Her breath coming in short pants, she climbed the stile and darted a look behind her. Lord Maudling strolled in her wake, making no attempt to pursue her. He could never have caught up with her anyway; he was too stout to run. And he knew he didn’t need to. She’d be handed to him on a platter. Heart hammering, she slowed her pace, put on her hat, and brushed the grass from her skirt.

  The welcoming apricot walls of their manor house appeared, and she darted inside. She went in search of her mother, finding her in her bedroom, where she discussed her wardrobe with her maid. A bright pile of jewel-colored silk gowns covered the bed.

  Mama looked up. “What is it, Bella? Have you been running?”

  Bella attempted to control her rapid breathing. “Mama, Lord Maudling followed me on my walk. He wasn’t nice to me. He—”

  “Hush!” Mother signaled to the maid. “That will be all, Rebecca. We’ll continue this discussion later. Ask Mrs. Short to serve tea in the morning room at four o’clock.”

  The door closed on the maid.

  “Now, what is this all about, Bella? Why so dramatic? It surely can’t be a life-and-death situation.”

  Bella’s words came out in a rush. It was difficult to describe the unease she felt alone in Maudling’s company. She failed to mention pushing him into the water. If Father heard of it, he would explode.

  Mother gathered the gowns into a pile to clear a space. “He tried to steal a kiss? My dear, you are too sensitive. He did nothing shocking by the sound of it. He would never risk our displeasure. Come and sit.” Her mother took Bella’s hands and drew her down onto the bed with her. She smoothed back Bella’s untidy hair from her hot brow. “I had hoped you’d change your mind about Lord Maudling. Think of it, you’d be a countess and live in his beautiful mansion right next door to us.” Her gaze clouded. “It’s become imperative that you marry well, Bella. For your sake as well as your father’s.”

  “Lord Maudling did say Papa was in need. What did he mean?”

  Mama examined the frayed hem on a magenta silk evening gown. “He has concerns of a business nature. Nothing for you to concern yourself with. You should have your head filled with thoughts of bridal clothes and your trousseau. I have so wanted to see you well settled. I blame my illness on your unsuccessful come-out.” Her worried eyes softened. “Please try to think more favorably on his lordship. He can offer you a graceful, worry-free life and raise your position in society. It’s surprising that he wants to marry you. I do believe he must love you, for he is above us in station.”

  Ten years younger than Bella’s father, Mother was hardly old, but she seemed bowed, as if life had crushed her spirit. More lay behind her lined, worried face than the effects of her illness, Bella was sure.

  She hugged her mother and left the bed. “I’m sure things will improve without Lord Maudling’s assistance.”

  Her mother shook her head. “I wish I could agree with you.”

  Once in the corridor, Bella hurried to her bedroom, her chest heaving. She shut the door and threw herself on the bed, giving way to tears. When she wiped her eyes with a shuddering breath, she was determined never to cry over this again.

  ***

  After two long weeks where, thankfully, Maudling failed to appear, the family returned to the city. Bella was eager to visit Hartnoll House, but her father, having laid Lord Maudling’s absence at her door, was extremely short tempered. As soon as business called him away, Bella left the house with Mary on the pretense of returning Jane Eyre to the lending library. They walked to the main thoroughfare, where Bella hired a hansom cab.

  Approaching Hartnoll House, she bent her head over her reticule, searching for coins to pay the jarvey.

  Mary gasped. “My goodness! Just look at that.”

  The building crawled with workmen. Some climbed over the roof while others painted the walls. Sounds of banging rang out from within.

  Bella’s vision blurred, her eyes awash with tears. She put a shaky hand to her forehead as she and Mary hurried into the front hall smelling strongly of paint. The children crowded around, speaking all at once in their high, sweet voices. Lord Eaglestone had apparently come every day to bring them treats.

  Every day. Bella marveled at it.

  Mrs. Armitage, more composed than Bella had ever seen her, accompanied her on a tour of the house, pointing out the many changes. “Lord Eaglestone is a very decent man, Miss Lacey. He has taken a great interest in the children.”

  Bella was speechless. The leaks in the roof had been mended and rotten ceilings replaced, now in the process of being painted. The cellar would never flood again. The rat holes had been plugged up.

  “And there’s more.” Mrs. Armitage opened the old parlor door. “A schoolroom, Miss Lacey. And a new carpet!”

  “I feel as if I’m dreaming.” Bella peered into the neat room. A wooden desk and chair sat at the head of the room, piled with slates and books on reading, writing, and arithmetic and the Bible. Beside the desk was a blackboard perched on an easel. Long benches stretched across the room, with a row of wooden stools.

  “His lordship has employed a teacher,” Mrs. Armitage added with a good deal of satisfaction. “Mr. Fenchurch began lessons on Monday.”

  Bella’s chest hitched. “I simply can’t believe it.”

  The housekeeper was clearly enjoying herself. “Just as we hoped,
Miss Lacey, his lordship feels the children should be taught skills to make their way in the world. Much of what they create—baskets and small items of carpentry, tatting, knitting and such like—will be sold and the money put toward the upkeep of Hartnoll House. Lord Eaglestone says that now that we have several more useable bedrooms we can take in more children.”

  Her chest tight, Bella followed Mrs. Armitage out the back door into the yard, where Henry squatted in a freshly dug plot planted with vegetables. He grinned and raised a hand.

  “Henry loves gardening. He can’t believe he’s allowed to dig in the dirt,” the housekeeper said with a laugh.

  While away in Surrey, Bella had thought of little else but her venture with Eaglestone. Why hadn’t he written to consult with her? Did he not value her opinion? He’d never treated her like Maudling, who flatly discounted a woman’s judgment. In fact, Eaglestone was nothing like Maudling. He used his wealth to help others, not merely to make his own life comfortable. She bit her lip as conflicting emotions flooded through her. While she was eternally grateful to him for achieving something that was beyond her, she was disappointed not to have discussed these changes with him.

  As they returned inside, Bella took herself to task. This was not about her. She was profoundly grateful for the children’s sake. After all, it mattered little what Eaglestone thought of her.

  When his lordship’s brougham pulled up, Bella left the house to greet him. Her heart thumped at the sight of his tall frame unfolding from the carriage. He seemed so familiar. As if she’d known him for years. As if he mattered a good deal more to her than he should. He removed his top hat, the sunlight painting bright strands in his ebony locks.

  As she stood there, her initial euphoria at seeing him waned. With the work moving toward completion, she may not see him in person again.

  “Lord Eaglestone, how can I ever thank you?” She raised her hand to indicate the workmen painting the window shutters blue.

  His cool gaze surveyed her. “I expected you to show more interest, Miss Lacey.”

  “How unfair,” she said, surprised. “You knew I had to go to Surrey with my parents. I wrote advising you of it. I gave you the address in Surrey, but you never wrote to me.”

  He frowned. “I received no such letter. I wrote twice seeking your opinion of these changes. When I received nothing in reply, I assumed you were caught up with your coming betrothal. So I continued alone.”

  She sucked in a breath. “My betrothal?”

  “To Lord Maudling. There was an item in the newspaper, which heralds such an occurrence.”

  Stunned, she stared at him. “I am not betrothed to Lord Maudling. Nor have I received any of your letters.”

  With cries of delight, the children rushed out of the house to gaze up at him with adoration. He took bags of sweets from his pocket and handed them to Henry. “Off you go,” he said with a laugh. He turned to her, his eyes questioning. “We need to talk. Away from here. Will you come?”

  Her body stiff with outrage, she nodded. Her father must be behind the notice in the newspaper. He had removed the letter she wrote to Lord Eaglestone from the post and withheld his letters addressed to her. She’d never thought her father capable of being so unkind, so ruthless.

  Eaglestone assisted her into the brougham. As the carriage jerked away from the house, he turned to face her. She thought she read sympathy in his eyes. “You’re distressed. Will you tell me about it?”

  Bella’s anger had subsided into a feeling of helplessness. She refused to voice any criticisms of her father and remained rigidly upright, despite the strong urge to lay her head against his broad chest. Maudling, however, deserved no such loyalty. “My father is worried about his finances. I heard him talking about his shares, they’ve recently lost value.”

  “Those he has of my company are about to rise substantially.”

  She stared at him. “Why?”

  “I’m about to announce a new merger.”

  She may not need to marry Lord Maudling, after all. Lightheaded, she shivered with relief. Although she’d never speak of it, her anger still smoldered at her father’s heartless treatment.

  “It will benefit both your father and Maudling, you know.”

  “I will never marry Lord Maudling!”

  “Many ladies would wish to marry the wealthy peer. What has he done to produce such strong dislike of him?”

  “His hands stray, and he said he looked forward to teaching me.”

  He scowled. “Teaching you what exactly?”

  “To…please him. To force me to bow to his wishes,” she whispered. “In the bedroom.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “THE DEVIL!” HE GROWLED. Derrick had never liked Maudling. Arranged marriages were an accepted part of society, but this went beyond the pale. It was akin to sexual slavery. He couldn’t stomach the idea of Bella hitched to that bounder, especially when he knew how much she valued her independence. “Is he aware of your feelings toward him?”

  “Yes, but he just laughs at me. And my father is determined I marry him.” She dropped her gaze to her hands. “I can see no way out unless I find a better means of dissuading Maudling from the idea.”

  “Is there something I can do?”

  “Thank you, sir, but I hardly think—”

  “I could throw a spanner into his business dealings. That should distract him for a time.”

  “It would take too long,” she said, not questioning his ability to do so. She paused and gazed at him shyly. “There is something, however.” She firmed her lush mouth, and her blue eyes turned steely.

  He stared at her, captivated. “What is going on in that pretty head of yours, Miss Lacey?”

  “My parents leave for Brighton tomorrow. They will be gone for a several days…”

  He raised his brows wondering where this was leading. “And?”

  “If I should spend a night at your house, all night, that is…” Her cheeks flushed pink. “If we…if I were to lose my innocence and Maudling learn of it, I doubt he’d want me then.”

  Derrick drew in a sharp breath at her coldblooded plan. Beyond her anger, he could detect little sign that she lusted after him. “Dammit, Miss Lacey. Contrary to belief, I don’t make a practice of debauching virgins.” He’d had several young debutantes try ingenious means to trap him. Ordinarily, he’d be instantly on his guard and suspicious. Miss Lacey was no conniving young miss, however. He’d come to like her, to respect her, and now found he believed her.

  She seemed small and rather fragile as she twisted the skirts of her pale blue dress with her lace mittens, but her unwavering gaze held his. “Don’t you want me?”

  The very thought gave him a cockstand. He shifted awkwardly. “Of course I want you. What man wouldn’t leap at the offer?”

  She raised her chin; it trembled, giving her away. “Then will you agree?”

  He took off his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. “You need to give this serious thought, Bella.”

  She placed a hand on his arm. “Can I not persuade you?”

  There was no artifice in her. No attempt to seduce him. And dammit, she didn’t need to. His body was already clamoring for her. It was all he could do not to pull her onto his lap and take her now. “You’ll put your reputation at risk. What of your parents?”

  “I’m willing to risk it.” Her beautiful eyes pleaded with him. “If you want me.”

  “Of course I want you, sweetheart,” he said, softening his tone. “But please understand that I cannot marry you.”

  “One night is all I wish for,” she said crisply. “All that is needed.”

  The carriage turned a sharp corner and threw them against each other. He placed an arm around her trembling shoulders, breathing in her delicate, flowery scent. One night might be enough for Bella, but once he’d tasted her, tucked her soft body beneath his, entered her slick heat and taught her about passion, not to mention kissing those delightful breasts, would one night be enough for him
? He forced himself to search his own motives. All right, he wanted her. Badly. And he wanted to help her; he suffered the surprising urge to fight all her battles. Short of putting a bullet in Maudling or maybe roughing him up a little, he could think of no other way. He disliked the idea of violence, for it seldom solved much. He fought to think clearly, as the vision of Bella lying naked in his bed clouded his brain. Would this idea of hers have the desired effect? The distinct possibility of another man’s brat foisted upon Maudling as his heir could stop him in his tracks. Dammit, even if it all went cockeyed, better he take Bella’s virginity than that arrogant scoundrel. Or any other blighter for that matter. He saw red at the thought of it.

  “Tomorrow night, then. Come to the corner of your street at ten o’clock.”

  “Thank you, Lord Eaglestone.” Her eyes were huge blue pools in her pale face.

  “Let’s do our best to enjoy it,” he said with a shamefaced grin. “And you’d better call me Derrick.”

  ***

  Tingling with nerves, she suffered an urge to giggle at the disconcerted expression on Derrick’s face. Now that it was decided, she found herself comfortable with the idea. After all, it had always been her plan. And whatever was said about him, she liked him. Very much. “It’s agreed then, Derrick.”

  She’d feel more reassured that he wanted this if he’d kissed her, but they were exposed in this open carriage. She looked around to gain her bearings; they’d left Cheapside and passed through streets of neat houses. If she were gone too long, she’d rouse her father’s suspicions. “Can you take me back to the orphanage? I must collect my maid.”

  He leaned forward to instruct his coachman. “You’re sure then, Bella?”

  Why was he still asking her when the very thought melted her insides? “I am.”

  “Would it not be better to choose a man who will marry you?”

  She could hardly admit she’d chosen a rake because they knew what they were about. And she felt differently about him now. He would be the one. In this, she was decided. There was no turning back. “I suppose it’s because I trust you, Derrick.”