The Mammoth Book Of Regency Romance Part 48

"Calm yourself," Lady Stanton hissed, snapping her fan shut. "And more importantly, keep your voice to a whisper. Now, let us fetch you a gla.s.s of wine and take you home. In the morning, we will try to settle this misunderstanding as best we can."

Gwendolyn drew in a steady breath, trying to calm herself. She let the breath out, nodding. "I believe I will require more than one gla.s.s of wine. I will require four or five. Maybe even six."

"Whatever amount will keep you calm. Now come along." Lady Stanton tucked her hand into the crook of Gwendolyn's arm and whisked her away in the opposite direction.

"Mother!" Edwin called out after them. He scrambled around Lord Westbrook and held up a gloved hand above the heads of other pa.s.sing couples. "You cannot whisk her away as of yet. I need her."

"Ignore him," Gwendolyn hissed, rushing them forwards. "He only ever acknowledges me when an opportunity for a female introduction arises and, frankly, I feel like an underpaid chaperone."

"You needn't worry about him," her mother insisted. "I will put an end to his preening. That boy has been far too preoccupied with his own life to notice anyone else's."

"It must be contagious."

Together, they b.u.mped their way through the crush of people and didn't slow their pace until they were on the other side of the ballroom.

Gwendolyn heaved out a sigh and glanced at her mother. "I don't understand why you keep encouraging his need for matrimony. Edwin is only twenty."

Her mother patted Gwendolyn's forearm. "You cannot fault him, dear. He's always been a romantic. You know that."

Lady Stanton suddenly yanked them both to a halt, turning them in the direction of an older gent. "My Lord!" her mother exclaimed. "Oh, thank heavens. Such divine timing I have never known."

Lady Stanton scurried them both over to a grey-haired gent whose ivory waistcoat couldn't hide an oversized belly that protruded from his dark evening coat.

Gwendolyn's heart momentarily skipped at the realization of who he was. Camden's uncle. Lord Truesdale. Why, she hadn't even heard his name announced.

"My dear Lady Stanton." Lord Truesdale took her mother's free hand and bowed ardently over it. "I demand we find a less crowded room. My carriage or yours?" He waggled his thick, grey brows and grinned crookedly, still holding on to Lady Stanton's gloved hand.

Her mother released a girlish laugh and coyly withdrew her hand not only from him, but also from Gwendolyn's own arm. "Do tame yourself," she shrilled. "We are family."

Lord Truesdale continued to blatantly grin at her, not in the least bit fazed. "Must you remind me?"

The two openly laughed.

It was like listening to debutantes prattle. Only far worse. When the opportunity of silence presented itself, Gwendolyn decided to interject. "Forgive me, My Lord, but is Camden coming? Do you even know?" There was no sense in pretending she had come for anything but Camden.

Lord Truesdale turned his stout body towards her, those brown eyes instantly cooling. "The boy has never been one for confrontations. You know that." He stiffly grasped Gwendolyn's hand, kissed the top of her gloved knuckles and paused, staring her down. "Camden is beside himself. As am I."

She choked, her grasp on his hand tightening. "I am beside myself. It is a farce, My Lord. A lie. All of it. My mother can attest."

Lord Truesdale tugged her in closer with the jerk of her hand, forcing her to stare straight into his stern, round face. "It had better be a lie. Now cease all of this nonsense, move back in with the boy and see to your duty by siring an heir. My nephew has waited long enough, has he not?"

Gwendolyn swallowed back the biting sensation of tears burning her eyes and yanked her shaky hand out of his. She had miscarried far too many times seven, to be exact - for there to be any humour in his words. "Did your nephew not explain my situation? Or do you find yourself thoroughly amusing?"

Her mother touched her arm, silently pleading she refrain from saying anything more.

Lord Truesdale blinked, then set his hands behind his back and abruptly turned towards her mother. "Whatever the situation may be, I intend to embark upon an intervention by putting an end to these blasphemous rumours." He scanned his surroundings. "And I hope all of London is listening. Because I am a man of my word."

Gwendolyn's heart skipped at the unexpected gesture. After all, the man had never been enthusiastic about her and Camden's marriage, being the dedicated bachelor that he was. The man much preferred courtesans over a respectable woman. "You intend on a.s.sisting? Why? You never approved of our marriage."

He glared at her. "Camden has been contemplating everything but suicide. What else would you have me do?"

Oh, poor Camden. She couldn't imagine what he must be thinking or feeling. They had promised to be faithful during their time apart and now this . . .

From behind them, someone cleared their throat. "Pardon the interruption," Edwin drawled. "But I require the company of my sister for an introduction."

Gwendolyn refrained from groaning, but opted to heave out an exasperated sigh instead. She supposed if she couldn't be a good wife, she might as well be a good sister. She reluctantly curtseyed to Lord Truesdale. "Please inform Camden I am still devoted to him and him alone. Despite everything."

Lord Truesdale leaned in. "I will call on you tomorrow afternoon. I have an idea as to what should be done."

Though she dreaded his idea of "what should be done", she supposed any a.s.sistance in this matter would be helpful. "You will find me at home, My Lord," she insisted, more than ready not only to face Camden, but to reclaim him and in turn become the wife he deserved.

A firm hand grabbed Gwendolyn's upper arm from behind and yanked her off to the side. She stumbled, glaring at her brother. "Edwin, what are you-"

Her brother stalked past her and moved towards Camden's uncle. "Tell that nephew of yours I have a pair of fists waiting for him at Jackson's," he snapped, not at all bothering to lower his voice. "What breed of man abandons his own wife?"

Gwendolyn's eyes widened as she smacked her brother's shoulder with her fan. "Whatever are you doing?" she hissed, glancing around at those who were beginning to stare. "He didn't abandon me. It was a mutual separation."

Edwin spun towards her and glared down at her with blazing green eyes. "I am merely overseeing your honour. Someone has to. Now come along. There are a few marvellous women I've yet to meet." He grabbed her arm and tugged her rudely in the opposite direction.

She rolled her eyes and scrambled to keep up with him. "Marvellous? So far, every woman you've insisted on meeting has been about as entertaining as a brick."

He glanced back at her and continued to lead her through the crowds. "I'll have you know that bricks make good, solid foundations upon which to build."

It was pointless trying to stick a fork into his brain about anything. She sighed and allowed him to drag her left and right, and then right and left, for the rest of the evening for the sake of his happiness. Of course, she made a point to avoid Westbrook at every turn. After all, she didn't want to be rude and spray the man's blood everywhere when she attacked him.

Two days later, night, as the clock strikes ten.

The Truesdale house.

Camden Richard Dearborn, the fourth Marquis of Redford, had never once in the course of his thirty years overindulged in enough cognac, port or brandy to render himself senseless and useless.

Until tonight.

Of course, drowning the last of his rational mind was the only way he could gull himself into facing his own wife who already appeared to be an hour late. d.a.m.n her. As always, time meant nothing to her. And apparently, neither did he.

Camden shifted against the sofa cushion and tried to focus on tightening his bare fingers against the gla.s.s of port. It was a miracle he hadn't spilled the d.a.m.n thing. Or dropped it.

He glanced across the length of the candlelit parlour towards the entryway and staggered on to heavy-booted feet. He brought more port to his lips and though he swallowed, he could no longer taste the tangy sweetness coating his tongue.

The very thought of his own Gwendolyn touching another man made him want to smash his gla.s.s against his own head. Never did he think she of all people would do such a thing.

It was obvious he stood apart in his way of thinking that all a man truly needed out of life was a faithful wife, four children and a dog. For what every man in London really wanted these days was multiple lovers and other people's wives. Including his own! And whatever children were born were simply the results of overspent pa.s.sions, not love and family planning. As for the dog? The poor dog was left to wander the streets alone. Completely forgotten. Man's best friend no more.

With each droning minute that pa.s.sed in silence, Camden couldn't help but feel increasingly pathetic about waiting around for a wife who apparently was not coming. That alone bespoke of guilt. She couldn't even face him.

Regardless, he was not leaving until she arrived. He wanted a d.a.m.n explanation as to how her silk stocking had gotten into Westbrook's hands. And if that explanation wasn't good enough, by G.o.d, he was getting a divorce and moving to France.

"Uncle!" Camden leaned forwards impatiently, swaying for a brief moment against his own movement, and glanced towards the entryway his uncle had disappeared into. "Is my wife coming or not? Where the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l is she?"

After a few moments of silence, there was an echoing of boots. His uncle reappeared with . . . what appeared to be two black strips of cloth in his hands. The old man strode towards him. "She just arrived. Apparently, she couldn't decide on which gown to wear."

That most certainly was Gwendolyn. He was of the mind that a woman should only be allowed one gown. That way, there'd be no more indecision.

His uncle paused before him.

Camden watched as his uncle casually draped one of the black velvet sashes over the chair, then snapped the other strip of black velvet taut between his hands. "Lean forwards."

Camden pulled his shaven chin against his silk cravat. "Whatever do you mean 'lean forwards'? What the blazes do you intend to do with that? Put that away!"

His uncle's bushy brows went up as he extended the black velvet blindfold. "Do you or do you not wish to save your marriage?"

Camden choked. "I . . . My marriage? What is all this?"

"Lean forwards, d.a.m.n you. I will not ask again."

Camden huffed out a breath, knowing that when it came to his uncle, one did not ask questions. One simply hoped for the best. To accommodate the height difference between them, he leaned forwards, as told. But for some reason, the room swayed.

Camden caught hold of his uncle's shoulder with his free hand and steadied himself as port splashed outside the gla.s.s he held in his other hand.

Lord Truesdale glared up at him. "Why would you ply yourself before her coming? The idea is to save your marriage. Not destroy the last of it."

Regaining his balance, Camden shifted towards his uncle. "I am not in the least bit pleased with my wife and am merely trying to ensure I am sedated enough to entertain her."

"She may just entertain you." His uncle smirked and placed the thick, double-folded soft velvet against the bridge of Camden's nose, covering his eyes.

Darkness flooded Camden's vision as his uncle secured the blindfold firmly against the back of his head. The gla.s.s was suddenly yanked from his grasp and, before he realized what was happening, both of his hands were yanked hard behind his back and tightly bound together.

"What-?" Camden struggled against the ties that bound him. "What is this? Untie me!" he boomed, unable to free his wrists from the tight binding.

Shuffles and movements floated around him in the fuzzy darkness. "Have at it," his uncle announced to someone, his booted feet disappearing out into the corridor. "I intend to go for my walk. Expect me in two hours."

The rustling of skirts filled the room.

"Gwendolyn?" Camden demanded.

"Yes, Camden?" Her voice was soft and flirtatious. "What is it?"

He froze. It had been months since her voice had been that soft or that flirtatious. "What . . . You'd best untie me. Do it. Now."

"Why would I do that? You are supposed to remain bound for the rest of the evening."

He choked. "The devil, you say. I am demanding you untie me. Before I acquire a divorce on the grounds of this alone!"

"Oh hush, already. Where is your sense of adventure? You always take everything too seriously." A pair of firm, small hands grabbed hold of his forearm and waist and guided him forcefully forwards in a direction that was anything but straight.

He scrambled forwards, trying to keep his body upright, though with his hands tied behind his back, it was difficult to balance. He stumbled and winced. "I should probably point out, madam, that I've had far too many cognacs. And port. Lots of port."

"So I've noticed." She eased their pace, and tucked her pet.i.te, curvaceous body against him, tightening her hold on his waist, to a.s.sist in his movements.

Camden swayed and awkwardly adjusted himself against her. Soft, abundant hair grazed his skin as she slowly led him forwards. He unwittingly leaned into her, willing himself to submit to whatever was happening to him.

The rustling of her skirts, which brushed up against his trouser-clad legs, was all that met his ears. Seeing that they weren't climbing any stairs fortunately for him his guess was that she was opting for the closest private room there was.

His uncle's library.

She brought them to a halt and slid out of his reach. There was a creaking of double doors opening.

A warm, soft hand grabbed his and carefully guided him through. Her other hand took hold of his arm, encouraging him to remain where he was, before releasing him again.

The doors thudded closed, and a click told him that they were not only locked, but he was now officially at her mercy.

And then . . . there was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Camden stood in blinding darkness and silence, sensing Gwendolyn was still nearby. "What are you doing?" he demanded. "Do you find yourself amusing?"

Her skirts rustled against the movement of her legs. And without a word, gentle, yet firm, warm hands smoothed their way under his coat and against his waist in a seductive manner that made him suck in a breath.

She placed her warmth close against the front of his body, forcing him to feel every soft inch of her. Her skirts pushed against the length of his trousers. The stiffness of her corset and her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s beneath pressed against the front of his b.u.t.toned waistcoat.

She continued to tenderly hold him and did not attempt anything more. His pulse drummed. It was as equally wrenching as it was awkward, knowing how long it had been since she had so willingly touched him.

G.o.d save him, all he wanted to do was . . .

Camden lowered his shaven chin into a soft ma.s.s of soap-scented curls that touched his lips. "Gwendolyn. Please."

Gwendolyn readjusted in his arms and laid her head on the expanse of his chest, sighing ever so wistfully. As if it was the only place she was ever meant to be.

Camden swallowed. The way that sigh escaped her lips, and the way her hands and fingers dug possessively into the back of his waist, achingly reminded him of the way their marriage used to be. Perfect. Romantic. All the things he and Gwendolyn had lost with each and every miscarriage.

d.a.m.n her. d.a.m.n her for not using their separation to heal her body and her soul as they had agreed on. "I want an explanation as to what is going on between you and Westbrook. And I will have that explanation after you b.l.o.o.d.y remove this blindfold and untie my hands. Is that understood?"

Her head lifted from his chest. Pulling her arms from around his waist, she scrambled outside of his grasp. "You will get an explanation after we play a little game."

He blinked against his blindfold and huffed out a breath, trying to focus. "I would sooner demand a divorce than entertain any of this."

A hush met his ears.

Camden raised his chin slowly. Then lowered it. He tried to see her through the blindfold. "Are you there?" he ventured. "Or did I cause you to faint and somehow missed the thud?"

When she didn't answer, he attempted to move his hands against the velvet binding. He staggered during the attempt. "Your humour knows no bounds. This is all very symbolic, I a.s.sure you."

He suddenly froze, sensing Gwendolyn was not only standing before him, but was actually leaning in towards him. He swallowed, as the heat of her body seemed to pulse against his own, bidding him to forget everything and give in to the temptation of touching her intimately.

She obviously wanted them to be intimate. But . . . why?