The Baron - The Offer Part 8

aYou are always welcome, you know that.a He straightened. She searched his face, drawn as she suspected most women were to his beautiful eyes and that pa.s.sionate mouth of his.

aYou are newly married.a aI, more than you, know that. Why are you chiding me? Oh yes, I know that tone of voice. I just heard it this morning, along with anger and resentment and illogic. So, donat you do it. Just leave me be and be yourself.a aThis girl you didnat compromise, sheas angry with you? That doesnat make much sense, Phillip. Surely she would be grateful to you, worship at your feet for the n.o.bility of your character.a He had the grace to wince. aWhatever else she may be, at least sheas now safe.a Phillip turned to the sideboard and poured himself a gla.s.s of port. Martine watched him silently as he quickly downed the port and filled his gla.s.s again.

aDid the carpenter come and fix the d.a.m.ned ceiling?a aYesterday. Didnat you notice last night?a He nodded. Yes, he remembered now.

aHe was a saucy man, that one. He grinned at me and said that his lordship didnat have to worry anymore about having his brains splattered on my pillows.a aNow thatas an unappetizing vision.a He set down his gla.s.s and gave her a bow, waving his hand toward the door. aWill you join me upstairs, Martine? My need for you is great.a She didnat think that was the case at all, but she gave him a sweet smile and her hand.

As she was removing her gown upstairs in her elegant, very feminine bedchamber, she turned to the viscount, who was standing next to the fireplace staring at nothing in particular. aPhillip.a He grunted, not looking up from the flames.

aThe little one, she is alone?a Phillipas head came up at those words. aWhy the devil do you call her that?a Martine drew off the straps of her chemise and allowed the soft material to float to her waist. Oddly, his eyes didnat waver from her face. Now this was strange. aI called her that because I saw her.a aWhere would you see my wife?a aIn the park today. She was riding in Charles Askbridgeas phaeton.a She saw his lovely eyes darken, a fascinating sight. She wasnat at all fooled by his indifferent shrug. She wriggled lazily out of the rest of her clothes, stood naked before him for a moment, then walked slowly to the bed.

He didnat move. aHow did she look?a aShe looked as if she was trying to forget something unpleasant, perhaps. I heard her laugh, and she was smiling, but none of it was real, do you understand what I mean?a aIall thank you not to pry, Martine.a She displayed herself on the bed. He still didnat move. aIam not prying, Phillip. It was you, after all, who did the asking.a aI told her not to have anything to do with Charles. She wanted to send him a message, on the second day of her marriage to me, she wanted to be with another man. But since you saw her, then she disobeyed me. Not that Iam surprised, of course.a He began to pull off his clothes. Suddenly he stopped.

aThe little one, she has very unusual eyes. A soft violet. Unique. Just imagine what your children will look like. They will be magnificent.a He didnat move. The firelight played behind him, framing him. He was utterly silent.

aAh, yes, her eyes are very vivid.a Suddenly he began again to pull off his clothes. aDammit, Iall always have my freedom. Iall not be tied to her, not to anybody, itas nonsense. Iam too young. I donat want my hatches battened down. I know she wanted me to come to her last night, she as good as admitted it, but I also know that the moment I touched her, shead be terrified to her toes. No, I wonat do it. But Iall do exactly what I wish. Yes, Iall always have my freedom. I donat care if I have to keep proving it to everyonea"both to her and to me. It just doesnat matter.a He was nearly naked. She just smiled at him, not really understanding him. Head changed, she knew that, and head changed so very quickly, and he was fighting it with all his might. Men, in her experience, had a lot of might.

Then he was naked and he was on top of her, kissing her, caressing her fiercely.

Then he stopped. He looked up at the headboard. Then he rolled off her and out of the bed. He didnat say a word, just walked back to the fireplace and began dressing himself again. He said as he was pulling up his britches, aYou know that Rohan Carrington had the reputation of an utter womanizer.a aYes, it came as a shock when he turned up with a wife and a daughter four years old. He is faithful, itas said. Completely faithful. Itas said too that he loves his wife and heas besotted with his little daughter.a aYes, he is, but he was different from me, Martine. He never worried about freedom, losing it or gaining it. Weare very different men.a He raised his head and looked over at her. She was lying on her side in the most seductive pose a woman would manage, but he really didnat notice. He said, aYes, Iam very different from Rohan. It seems I must cause hurt where there was none before.a He finished dressing. He walked to the bed and kissed her lightly, pa.s.sionlessly, on the mouth.

aIall see you again, my lord?a She lightly caressed her palm against his cheek.

aOf course,a he said.

aAh yes. Itas all a matter of your freedom, isnat it?a He stared at her hard for a long moment. aPerhaps,a he said finally, then he left her, not looking back.

She stared for a very long time into the fireplace.

The small ormolu clock on the mantel chimed out midnight. Sabrina lay wide awake in the darkness, waiting to hear Phillipas footsteps on the stairs. She wasnat at all certain how one went about seducing oneas husband, but she was confident that if she managed to kiss him, he would kiss her back. Surely that was enough to get a man started down the road of l.u.s.t.

She stiffened suddenly at the sound of footsteps outside the bedchamber door. She heard him pause and then his footsteps sounded down the corridor until they were lost to her hearing. Very well, head given her enough time to recover from her fear of men. She forced herself to lie quietly for some minutes longer to give him time to remove his clothing and settle into his bed.

She rose finally and walked to her dressing table to light a candle. She looked at herself in the mirror. It wasnat a frightening sight. Her eyes looked larger than usual and very bright. As for her clothing, she was wearing the embroidered nightgown. Her hair was shining clean, free down her back, and dark as burgundy in the candlelight. She slipped out into the corridor and walked to his temporary bedchamber.

She inched the door open and paused, blinking at the sound of his loud snoring. But she hadnat taken all that much time. Goodness, he was fast asleep. It was time to wake him up in a very unexpected way. She grinned in the darkness and walked on bare feet to the bed. He was lying on his back, still dressed in his evening clothes. His arms were at his sides. It wasnat the scene shead imagined, she thought, as she bent over to touch him.

She stiffened suddenly and whipped her hand back. She smelled brandy. She wondered how much head drunk. Probably a lot. Maybe he had pa.s.sed out and really hadnat just fallen asleep. She sniffed again. She smelled the rose scent this time and she strongly doubted that head splashed himself with it to smell more manly. No, it was his mistressas perfume. Head been with her again this evening.

To spare his virgin bride.

Enough was enough. It didnat matter if he was drunk enough to float away. She was still going to seduce him.

Very slowly, she slipped the soft nightgown from her shoulders. It fell in a gentle pool at her feet. Now that she was naked, she realized that he wasnat. What to do?

She wouldnat worry about it. She eased down beside him. She lightly stroked her fingers over his facea"the length of his nose, his jaw, the outline of his mouth. How she loved his mouth. She leaned over and kissed him.

He stopped snoring. His eyes opened and he stared up at her. aMartine?a aNo, Phillip. Itas your wife. Itas Sabrina.a aNo, thatas not possible. Sabrina is terrified of men. She wouldnat be here, kissing me.a His eyes fell to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, pressed against him. aShe wouldnat be here naked unless she was too sick to care, like before. I remember that I tried not to look at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, but they were so white and soft. It was difficult, but most of the time I didnat look.a His voice was slurred and soft. She lightly shook his shoulder. aPlease look at me now. Iam naked so I can seduce you.a She kissed him again.

aNo, itas you, Martine. Youare playing a game with me. Very well, letas play.a His hands came down on her bare back. aYouave lost flesh, Martine, but by G.o.d youare soft, I love the feel of you. Kiss me some more.a Phillip realized it was his wife the very instant he eased into her. From one moment to the next, he became instantly and completely full-witted, the brandy gone from his brain. She was very small and he had to push hard. Then he b.u.t.ted against her maidenhead. He raised his head and saw that her eyes were tightly closed. He tried, but he couldnat pull out of her, he just couldnat.

aSabrina?a She opened her eyes. aPhillip, Iam sorry, but it hurts. It hurts a whole lot.a aI know, I know. Hold still and Iall try to hold still as well. Maybe the pain will lessen, I donat know. Iave never taken a virgin before. Do you know how you feel to me? Do you have any idea at all what itas like to be inside you?a She wanted to laugh but he was pressing harder against her now and the burning increased. aIam inside me all the time.a aI want to be also,a he said, kissed her hard, then shoved through her maidenhead.

She screamed, unable to keep her mouth shut.

So did he, after but a few moments of pounding into her, his head thrown back, his back arched, so wild were the roaring feelings deep inside him and he was deep inside her, so surely she must feel all that he was feeling too.

She was crying, tears seeping from beneath her closed eyelids.

He began kissing her again when he could move, when he could function, barely.

aYou werenat afraid of me?a aNo. Well, just a bit, but only when you were looking at me. It wasnat the same way you looked at me when I was ill.a aI hope not. Youare beautiful, Sabrina. Iam sorry I hurt you. It wonat hurt next time. Thank you for coming to me.a aYouare welcome, Phillip.a He rolled off her, brought her against his side, pressed her cheek down against his chest and in three minutes, he was lightly snoring.

Sabrina lay there, her palm on his chest, over his heart, and she said, aI love you, Phillip. I realized I loved you when I was lying in bed at Moreland and woke up to find you there with me, just watching me in that soft candlelight. I loved you then.a aIf you loved me then why didnat you accept my proposal?a She went stiff as a board, then tried to rear up, but his arm held her against him. aDonat fight me. Why didnat you accept my proposal then? All this would have been avoided, well, probably not, but Teresa would have had to take both of us on, not just you.a aYouare asleep. I heard you snoring.a aIam a light sleeper. The snoring is the way I relax myself.a aYouare lying.a She sighed. He said nothing, not that she expected him to. Then, suddenly, he turned to face her. He began kissing her, his hands on every patch of her, kneading her flesh, caressing her, saying s.e.x words into her mouth, words she didnat understand. When he raised her in his hands and brought her to his mouth, she pulled on his hair and said, aPhillip, isnat this a very strange thing for you to do to me? Itas very embarra.s.sing.a aShut up. Try to enjoy this, Sabrina. Iad like for you to have pleasure this time.a But she was locked into such embarra.s.sment all she could do was bite her mouth and keep her eyes tightly closed. Finally, she heard him sigh. He opened her legs and slowly, gently, came into her. She was sore, but it didnat hurt too badly. He was moving inside her now and she knew that this was why shead been ostracized. Everyone had believed that this is what theyad done at Charlesas hunting box. Why would any woman believe that? She lay there, feeling him deep inside her body. She loved him but this was only something shead do if he wanted it. She sighed. It seemed to be very important to him.

She hurt deep inside. He kept moving, kissing her mouth, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, fondling every part of her he could reach. She was skinny. Why would he want to do that?

When he moaned his release, she braced herself for the torrent of stiffening muscles, the tightening of his body against hers, the wet of him inside her. Finally it was over.

aI will sleep now, Sabrina. Iam sorry.a aSorry about what?a He laughed. aI swear to you that Iall teach you soon enough. Youare just not ready yet to be a woman, but you will.a His light snoring was real this time. Slowly she pulled away from him and rose. She washed herself in the basin of water on the bedside table. In the dim light of the single candle, she saw that there was blood and his seed on the cloth.

This was what everyone had believed shead done. It was amazing. She rinsed out the cloth as best she could, then climbed back into bed beside her husband. She leaned up and blew out the candle.

She fell asleep with the pounding of his heart beneath her hand and the sound of his snoring in her ear.

Dawn light softened the blackness when she felt him again inside her, moving slowly, deeply. She hurt, but he was her husband. She loved him and if he wanted to do this a dozen times to her, then shead not argue. Well, maybe shead say something about it on the eighth time, but not yet. He was only to three. She could still bear it. She kissed him back, taking his moans into her mouth, and stroking her hands over his back. It wasnat long before she felt the stiffening in him, heard the sharp intake of breath, then his yell of release.

Yet again he was instantly asleep. Yet again she was washing herself in the basin, wondering what woman would ever agree to do this unless she was married and had to. Or unless she loved a man and wanted desperately to please him.

Sabrina supposed she fell into both categories.

At least now he was hers. She would let him do this whenever he wished to. He wouldnat have the time or the energy to go back to Martine. She fell asleep wondering if men wanted to do this during the day. If so, she would have to be close to him so he could use her whenever he wanted to. She thought of him touching her down there, kissing her down there. She shuddered with embarra.s.sment. What if he wanted to do that during the day, when he could see her?

34.

aMy secretary, Paul Blackador, has many times told me that the devil was in the details. What do you think, Sabrina?a aI donat know what that means.a It was a bright winter morning, sun flooding into the breakfast room. He was smiling and eating and talking nonsense. Sabrina was tired and very sore, but she loved him, curse him for not asking her how she felt. Head been the one to hurt her yet now all he could talk about was the devil and his d.a.m.ned details.

Couldnat he at least tell her that he was just a bit fond of her?

aIt means that if a man isnat careful, itas the little things, the details, that will rise up and bite him. Do him in.a aI still donat know in what direction your mind is going.a aItas really very simple. I donat want you to love me, Sabrina.a He was chewing a piece of bacon as he said that. She wasnat worth enough for him to even stop eating for a moment.

aI really canat help it.a aYou said last night you realized it at Moreland when you woke up and I was sitting there watching you. Iam sorry for it. Donat get me wrong. Iam fond of you, very fond, but things wonat change.a He thought of his hands on her soft flesh. Shead felt to him like no other woman had in his life. And being inside her, the smallness of her, the tightening of her muscles, no, he wouldnat think about that. It was just s.e.x. He looked at her. He realized he wanted to touch all of her, all at the same time, right now. He closed his eyes a moment.

aWhat things?a He merely shrugged. aI enjoyed last night. Thank you for coming to me. I hope youare not too sore this morning?a He remembered how difficult it was to come into her. Shead been so small, her flesh so resistant to him, all his fault, of course. He should have taken more time, been more patient. d.a.m.n the surfeit of brandy and his own l.u.s.t.

aYes, I am. I had no idea that men did those sorts of things so much.a His eyes nearly crossed. Actually, he wanted to toss his breakfast plate to the floor, pull her up against him, and lay her onto her back on the table. He wanted to push her this morning, push her to pleasure, teach her. He wanted to hear her yell, and not in pain.

But he wasnat about to accept this girlas love offering. aMen like to do all sorts of things. Women do too.a She said absolutely nothing.

aYouall believe me soon enough. Now, get rid of this little girlas infatuation. Thatas all it is, you know. Iam your hero and thus you feel that you must love me. Itas the stuff of novels, Sabrina, not real life.a He tossed down his napkin and rose.

He stopped beside her chair, leaned down, and lightly kissed her mouth. aYouare lovely, Sabrina. I very much enjoyed you last night; well, at least a bit since Iam a man and can enjoy a woman even if sheas as still as a fallen tree. That will change, I promise you. Yes, you and I will do very well together, each in our own way.a Then he was gone from the breakfast room, whistling.

She threw her plate at the closed door.

Phillip heard that plate. He paused a moment, then shook his head. No, let her hurl plates if it helped her realize what was real and what wasnat. He would bring her to pleasure and that would improve her opinion of him. A woman always liked a man who brought her to pleasure, always was more ready to excuse him, always was more ready to forgive him. He began whistling again, out the door and onto Tashaas back for a gallop on Heathrow common.

aIs her ladyship about, Greybar?a It was late afternoon. Phillip had enjoyed a full day and was ready to see the slip of a girl who was his wife, the slip of a girl head teach pleasure to this very evening. Then he frowned. Perhaps that would be spoiling her. Perhaps he should be gone this evening. He didnat want her to think he was some sort of panting dog to sit at her feet.

aI believe her ladyship is with Mr. Blackador, my lord, planning the menu for the dinner party.a aWell h.e.l.l, Iad forgotten all about that.a aIt would be wise for you to refresh your brain, my lord. Itas three evenings from now. If you donat mind my saying so, her ladyship is one who knows just how things should be done. Mr. Blackador has already sent out the invitations. Donat you recall? You scrutinized the list yourself yesterday.a aOh yes, I did. This party will be just the thing to make her ladyship shine.a He rubbed his hands together. aAh, yes, Greybar, trust me to ensure that sheas smiling, quite a lot.a Greybar looked as if head swallow his teeth. He knew, of course, that the bride was no longer a virgin, the maid having informed Mrs. Hawley of the blood in the basin, and Mrs. Hawley having duly informed him, over tea in her rooms, as was proper. His lordship was being fatuous. Greybar, not for the first time in the past week, wanted to hit his master. Instead, he stared fixedly at the wainscoting.

aIave decided I want her in the bedchamber adjoining mine. It will be much easier that way. Do have the carpenter and all those folk to help select furnishings and wallpaper come and talk to me. Or rather, perhaps it would be better for them to see her ladyship. Yes, thereas no reason why she couldnat see to this. Sheas young but I donat think sheas particularly incompetent.a aMy lord, sheas your wife.a aShe certainly is now,a Phillip said, and went off to find his wife.

He found both Sabrina and Paul Blackador in the library, Paul sitting near her, a tablet on his lap and a pen in his hand.

ah.e.l.lo, Paul, Sabrina,a he said easily as he strolled into the room. aI see the two of you are planning our orgy. Is everything all right?a Even as he spoke, Phillip saw that even though Sabrina was wearing a very pretty pale yellow gown that did incredibly wonderful things to that glorious auburn hair of hers, her face was pale and there were dark smudges under her violet eyes. d.a.m.n, he shouldnat have indulged himself with her so much the previous night. Three times was excessive, particularly for a new wife and a virgin. But head wanted her, very much and shead given herself to him. Shead told him she loved him, had loved him since that long-ago evening at Moreland. It was nonsense.

Her voice sounded equal parts anger and defeat, surely an odd combination. aGood afternoon, my lord. Itas such a pleasure to see you again. One would hardly imagine that this is your home, given the small number of hours you spend here, but whose business is that?a aCertainly not yours, madam,a he said, then softened it because Paul was there, and he looked so nervous he just might faint. aI see youare working on our party.a aYes, weare planning the menu. Paul has excellent advice.a Paul Blackador had seldom ever given Phillip advice. He usually just nodded and kept his head down. Was she making fun of his secretary? Phillip looked at Paul, whose pleasant, sensitive face was undergoing a series of contortions. aShall we discuss this over tea, Sabrina?a aIam not thirsty, my lord. There is a lot still to be done. Paul and I are quite busy, as you can surely see.a aThen you will eat some of Cookas lemon cakes. Come, Sabrina. I wonat ask you again.a She wanted to tell him to hie himself to the devil along with all the details, but she saw that Paul was in agony. aVery well, my lord. Paul, can you carry on without me?a aCertainly. I have many other matters to attend to, my lady.a He looked first at his master, then at his mistress, who had two spots of color high on her cheekbones. Then he dropped his tablet. Phillip arched an eyebrow. He could have sworn he heard his very mild-tempered secretary curse. He had to grin, but he did manage to keep his mouth shut.

When she was pouring him tea, strong and dark, as he liked it, he said, aI hope youare still not angry with me about my misplaced gallantry regarding your inheritance.a aNo,a she said as she handed him the teacup. aIave decided I want it all. I want to be financially independent. I donat want to be pulled about on your string. Thank you for offering it back to me. I accept. If you would like to reconsider giving me back my dowry, why Iall take that too, gladly.a aNo, not the dowry. You may have the other. Thatas fine. Itas what I wanted.a He frowned at her. He didnat like the way shead changed her mind. The manner of it wasnat particularly as he would envision it should be, and it was obvious to even a blockhead that she was goading him, her sarcasm slamming him right between the eyes. Of course she didnat need to be financially independent. It was the grand gesture, merely an affirmation of his beneficence. She was his wife. Did she believe head throw her in a ditch and let her starve?

aIs there anything else Iave done to offend you? After all, in the short time Iave known you, youave pointed out a large number of flaws in my character. Do you wish to continue pointing now?a aNo, I have no more for the moment. I trust you enjoyed yourself all day today wherever you went, whatever you did, and with whomever you did it.a aYes, thank you.a He sipped his tea. It was China black tea, his favorite. aNow, tell me about the arrangements for your first dinner party.a aMy dinner party? Arenat you going to attend? Oh, I see, you have more important activities planned for that evening. Perhaps youare escorting Martine to Vauxhall?a aEat a lemon cake.a aIam not hungry.a aYouare supposed to be flourishing now that youare safe with me.a aFlourishing?a aYes, in the manner of a beautiful tight flower bud gradually opening to the brilliant sunlight.a aThatas ridiculous. Youare ridiculous.a aWell, yes, but at least youare smiling a bit now. Now, tell me what youave planned so I can either approve or disapprove of your schemes. No, donat throw anything at me. Yes, just sit there and eat something. If you must, throw the cup at me, at least itas nearly empty.a She set the cup in its saucer. She folded her hands in her lap and looked down at the yellow toes of her slippers. aI never threw anything in my life before I met you.a aPerhaps youave just never suffered from excess bile before.a aI will try to control my bile.a aGood. Now tell me what youave planned.a Phillip handed her a cake and gave himself one. She began nibbling on it. He was pleased. It was a start. aWhat delights have you in store for me?a She thought of the kind of delights that he obviously preferred and grew so angry she bit her cheek.

She had a sudden memory of him bending over her, his face calm, as he touched his palm to her forehead. aThank you for saving my life.a aWhere the devil did that come from?a He didnat like that. He preferred a plate tossed at his head. Well, not really, but he didnat want her to go on believing she loved him. Head be delighted to settle for something in the middle.

aI donat know. It was just a fleeting memory. You were there a lot in my mind, perhaps when I wasnat even fully conscious.a aIad never bathed a woman before or washed her hair. I would like to do that again.a aTo me or to your mistress?a The instant the words had spurted from her mouth, she was horrified. Shead meant to keep it to herself, at least most of it, most of the time. The words hung between them.

However, Phillip didnat say anything. He took another sip of his tea and appeared to study the Aubusson carpet beneath his boots.

Finally, he said mildly, aThe schemes, Sabrina? For the dinner party?a She told him what she was planning. When she paused, he said, aImpressive, Sabrina. Perhaps itas not at all a bad thing to have oneas wife bred in the wilds of Yorkshire. Allow me to select the wines, and I vow we will have to drag our guests from the dinner table.a Sabrina turned pink with his praise. It was infuriating, but she couldnat help it. She was too easily pleased, she thought, but couldnat help herself. She didnat mind at all that he was changing her wines. She was smiling slightly as she said, aI had Paul commission the Huxley group for the dancing. I do so love to waltz, and Greybar told me that they have quite a fine way with the music. A lot of enthusiasm and energy. Greybar said they were even more lively than the group that played for our wedding.a Phillip c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. aDancing? Iad thought this would only be a dinner party.a aI know that it would cost quite dearly, but since Iam now financially independent, I shall pay for the orchestra myself.a She was so defensive with him. He didnat even raise an eyebrow again, just said easily, aThatas fine. Do so, with my compliments at your show of independence. You pay for the entertainment and Iam the one who benefits. I enjoy waltzing with you.a aAnd I with you,a she said, although she didnat want to. But when she wasnat infuriated with him, she remembered that she did love him, despite his belief that she was a little girl and this was naught but infatuation. The fool.

aIf you ever find yourself short in the pocket or purse and in need of a loan, please feel free to approach me. Iam a generous man. Iad be more generous if I didnat feel you would dislike it so much.a aLet us talk of something other than money, Phillip.a aYes, I suppose so. Itas depressing, talking about money, that is.a She rose. aWill you be dining here tonight?a She looked lovely and scared and defensive. He rose slowly to face her. He lightly touched his fingertips to her jaw. Freedom, he thought. He couldnat forget his freedom. Nor could he ever afford to let her forget it. He wanted to take her right this instant, on the beautiful Aubusson at their feet.

No, he wouldnat ever allow himself to be a pet dog at her feet. aYes, Iall certainly dine here, but then Iam off. I have an engagement this evening and wonat be home until very late. Then if you like, Iall come to you, Sabrina, or if you please, you can come to me, and we can try again to make you scream with pleasure.a She pulled her arm back, but he caught her fist at least six inches from his jaw. aI thought you loved me,a he said.

She stared into his hazel eyes. aYes, but I still want to kill you.a He laughed, released her, and stepped back. At least his wife was no longer a virgin. She still wasnat a satisfied woman, but he had time. They had the rest of their lives. He didnat like the sound of that in his mind, but somehow he liked the feel of it in his gut.

Freedom, it was all a matter of freedom. He took another step away from her, then said, aWhat gown do you intend to wear?a What was in his mind? aRose satin,a she said. aIt hasnat yet arrived from the dressmaker.a aIt should go well with your hair.a aI hope so. Charlie thought that it would.a aI donat give a good d.a.m.n about Charlesas opinion about anything regarding my wife.a That made her smile, and he saw it. aIam not jealous of that blockhead, Sabrina.a aCertainly not, my lord. That would be a very petty thing and if thereas anything at all I understand about you, itas that youare never petty.a She didnat know exactly what he was, but she imagined, being a wife for life, that she would discover everything about him in the years to come. Years during which he would have mistresses. And spend time with them. She supposed, fool that she was, that shead really expected him to stay with her after last night. Shead given him everything she had.

It still wasnat enough. She met with Mrs. Hawley and discussed new sheets.

The arrival of her rose satin gown the next day from the dressmakeras didnat make her smile.

35.

Sabrina stared at herself in the mirror. The rose satin gown with its layers of Valenciennes lace edging the bodice and sleeves made her look more like a medieval lady than a modern one. But it was unusual and lovely. She didnat look too bad either, praise be to G.o.d.

He hadnat come to her. Shead wanted to go to him, but she hadnat. She was afraid shead smell his mistressas perfume on him again.

He could have at least come to her once, just once, but he hadnat.

She was reaching for a single strand of pearls when there was a knock on the door. She was in one of the smaller bedchambers. She a.s.sumed he was back in his own.

aCome,a she called out. She nodded absently to Doris and began to finger the clasp on the necklace.

aOh, itas you, my lord. Do come in. Her ladyship is lovely, isnat she? I was worried about the shade of the gown, you know, but itas very elegant.a Sabrina was grinning at her maidas enthusiasm when she turned around and nearly froze her tongue in her mouth. Phillip stood in the doorway, dressed in severe black, his cravat and shirt as white as new snow. It would be cold to the touch, surely. Shead never seen a more beautiful man in all her life, not that her life was all that long, but still, there could be no man on the earth to compare to him. Well, at least in London. She wanted to just spit it out and kiss him and run her hands over him, but she stood still, waiting.

He was just standing there, after head dismissed Doris, studying her, like a man deciding whether or not head buy a hunter.

Then he smiled and stepped to her. aJust one more small item, Sabrina, and all the gentlemen will fall inert at your feet.a He was the only man she wanted inert at her feet and she didnat want him inert at all. aGood evening, Phillip. What are you talking about? What item?a Phillip opened a narrow jewelry box. Nestled on a bed of black velvet was a delicate diamond necklace.

It was the most beautiful thing shead ever seen. She just stared at it.

aI saw your gown earlier. I think the diamonds will be more striking than the pearls. What do you think?a She picked up the necklace, watching the diamonds spill over her palm. aItas incredible. Oh, Phillip, thank you.a She threw her arms around his neck.

He didnat move, his arms remaining at his sides. But he did kiss her temple. aLet me fasten the necklace.a She felt the coldness of the diamonds flat against her throat, then the warmth of his fingers touching the back of her neck. He said, aI wanted something new for you. All the other Mercerault pieces are heavy and old, too big for you. There, do you like it?a But she didnat look at the necklace first. She looked in the mirror at him, standing behind her. aBeautiful,a she said. aSimply beautiful.a He looked suddenly embarra.s.sed.

aThe necklace, Sabrina.a aI donat look like myself. It glitters so much it will blind our guests.a aGood. That will keep all the men from staring at you.a Staring at her? Now that was a jest that didnat deserve to be repeated.

He was looking about her bedchamber. aMrs. Hawley told me you moved in here yesterday. Will it be all right until we can have the viscountessas bedchamber redone for you?a aItas fine.a Phillip ran his hand over the top of a French chair covered in a pale blue velvet that shead found in another room and moved in here. It was a lovely chair, one that surely wouldnat hold his weight.

aI didnat buy that chair.a aNo, I know that you didnat.a aBut if I had bought the chair, then I would have paid for it myself.a aThatas kind of you. Now, shall we go downstairs?a As they walked down the wide staircase, she remembered the gown and gulped. aI must tell you the truth, Phillip. The gown was very expensive. I forgot about it, really. Would you like me to pay for it?a aNo. Consider the necklace and the gown wedding presents from your doting husband.a He gazed thoughtfully at her a moment. aThereas one guest youare not expecting. I hope youall enjoy seeing him.a She had no idea what man he could possible have invited for her. And he wouldnat even give her a hint.

The twenty guests who sat down at the long dining table amid laughter and rustling gowns included not one unknown face. She looked down at the head of the table when there was a shout of laughter. Everyone around Phillip was laughing at something head said. She gave over her attention to the Countess of March, a beautiful young lady who was ready to amuse and be amused.

As the meal progressed to the baked pheasant, Sabrina glanced down to where her aunt Barresford was seated and was relieved to see a smile on her relativeas face. No one had refused her invitation, and Sabrina wondered with some cynicism if the guests had come merely to see if she would embarra.s.s herself.

She was forced to marvel at her husbandas adept handling of their guests. Both gentlemen and ladies alike appeared to bask in his attention, tossed with cavalier charm first to one, then to another. To her prejudiced eye, there was but one other gentleman to rival him. The Earl of March, seated near the middle of the long table, next to Aunt Barresford, appeared to be in his element, just as was the viscount. As for the Countess of March, that young lady had been very kind to her. aMy dear,a she whispered low just as they were leaving the dining room, awe must discuss how best to strip this masculine stronghold of its bachelor trappings. At last Phillip has seen the light. Itas a good thing. Iave always liked him, but now that he has you, I daresay heall improve nearly to the sainthood of my husband. Yes, you must visit me in Grosvenor Square and we will settle upon a strategy.a By ten oaclock the ballroom was filled with more guests than had their wedding reception just a week ago, Sabrina thought. Only a week.

aYour husband has done quite well by you, Sabrina,a her aunt Barresford remarked, surveying the beautifully dressed men and women. aI imagine that Teresa Elliott must be having a fit not to have been invited, not that she should have expected to be, given what she did to you.a Aunt Barresford appeared to have changed her stripes. Sabrina just smiled. aPhillip said if he ever saw her again he would wring her neck, but I told him that if we didnat invite her, I would have just one more enemy to deal with. He agreed, but he didnat want to. Iam sorry sheas evidently decided not to come.a A half hour later Teresa Elliott arrived on the arm of her brother, Wilfred. He didnat look at all happy. Resigned, yes, that was how poor Wilfred looked. As for Teresa, she looked beautiful, but there was a dangerous glitter in her eyes. Sabrina prayed shead keep a hold on herself.

Wilfred was saying to his sister, his voice low and controlled, aYouave ranted and acted like a fishwife for the entire past week. If you have a brain in your head, if you have an ounce of sense, youall make a push to be pleasant.a aJust look at her, Wilfred, lording it all over everybody, just like she belonged.a aShe does belong. If you value your social position, youad best wipe that nasty look off your face. You donat want everyone to know youave had a telling blow, do you?a Teresa was forced to hold her peace as she and Wilfred came to the viscount and viscountess in the receiving line.