Treacherous Temptations(18)

In the music room she had been infatuated by the suave and elegant Conte di Caserta, but today in the garden, she was certain that something genuine had passed between them. Could that tiny seed be nurtured? Like her primroses, might it take root and thrive?

A secret hope implanted itself in her heart, a wish for something she would never dare confess to anyone, not to dear, faithful Jenny—and most especially not to Sir Richard or the Countess of Blanchard.

…

Upon returning to her chamber, Mary was surprised to find Jenny and a hot bath already awaiting her.

“I ordered it so you would be at your best when Sir Richard calls,” Lady Blanchard explained. “It’s past time you made something of your drab appearance.” She eyed Jenny with open disdain. “Shall I send you Nanette?”

“No, my lady. Jenny shall do just fine.” And thank goodness Mary still had dear Jenny. Although the countess had offered the services of her own abigail several times, and would have replaced Jenny without a qualm, it was the one concession Mary had insisted upon in coming to London—to keep her own maid. Although she questioned whether Jenny would have the skills to make her presentable by town standards, Mary nevertheless, stood staunchly by her faithful Jenny.

The countess raked her over with a look of mild disapproval. “Very well, then. You may have it your way…for now, but know that Sir Richard will have certain expectations. We shall look for your appearance in the drawing room at four.”

When Jenny let down her long plait for her bath, Mary eyed herself critically in the mirror, frowning at the mass of red-gold ringlets that she had always despised. She had always cursed her unruly hair, and the ginger colored freckles that plagued her. Mary had always thought she might have passed for somewhat pretty, were it not for such unfortunate coloring.

In an effort to hide what she most detested, Mary had habitually concealed her hair, but today Lord Hadley had seemed fascinated rather than repulsed by her red curls. She wistfully recalled the touch of his fingers on her hair, and for the first time, considered a more becoming style.

“Jenny, do you think we could try something different with my hair today?”

“Oh yes, Miss Molly!” her maid gushed. “You have such lovely curls. I have wished you would wear some of them down for such a very long time.”

“Do you really suppose it would make such a difference?”

“Aye miss!” Jenny insisted. “Just you wait and see if it doesn’t.”

Mary wondered if she would only humiliate herself with the effort to become more attractive. In comparison to the countess, it seemed futile to try, but the yearning to be the focus of his attention, to be the recipient of that wondrous smile and beheld with approval in his beautiful eyes, was a powerful inducement.

…

“I commend you, Hadley, for wasting little time,” Barbara remarked when he joined her in her private drawing room. “An outing to Kensington Garden should be quite the thing to charm such a rustic. And la! What a quaint pastoral scene I came upon this morning! There you were kneeling beside her gathering flowers. How cloyingly romantic.” She smirked. “Is that what you have planned, lover? To take the girl on a flower bed?”

Hadley tracked her with an impassive gaze as she crossed the drawing room to pour two glasses of sherry, giving one to him, and then downing her own.

“We were simply conversing.” He added dryly, “Perhaps you are unaware that there is more than one method of intercourse possible between a man and a woman.”

She emitted a throaty chuckle. “Maybe possible darling, but hardly diverting. Speaking of which, you did not come to my room last night. I don’t like to be disappointed.”

He shot her a dark look. “You may make use of my valet, James, if it suits you, but don’t expect me.”

“But, Hadley. Darling—” she pouted.

“No, Barbara. Servants talk, and I’m not about to jeopardize fifty thousand a year to gratify your whims.”

“Do you actually think to gratify yours with her?”

“Isn’t that the point?” he asked. “Seducing her was your idea, after all.”

“But I didn’t think you would cut me off! She’s a virgin! What would that na?ve little twit know about pleasing a man with your appetites?”

“Perhaps I’m not as difficult to please as you think, nor do I have any trouble abstaining when the need presents.”

“Since when?” she scoffed.

“Many things have changed, Barbara. I’ve honed a number of skills, self-discipline being foremost among them.”

“Really?” Her lips curved in a vicious smile. “We shall just see then, won’t we? Take your little virgin if you will, but I give you a month tops before you come crawling back into my bed.”

“Just don’t come crawling into mine.”

“Do you still recall that night, Hadley?” She laughed. “I remember it vividly. You were so utterly scandalized. Still, you didn’t turn me away then, did you, lover?” Her smile became smug.

No, he had not, but he refused to gratify her taunt. He ran a long index finger lazily along the rim of the fine crystal snifter, lost for a moment in the memory of the treachery that had forever branded his soul. He shook himself briskly in an effort to eradicate the horrifying scene that still conjured nightmares almost a decade later. He rose abruptly, setting his glass down with a clink.