Treacherous Temptations(50)

“What are you saying?”

“I’ve people tracking his every move. Within the hour I will know precisely what he has planned…and when.”

“What will you do?”

His fleshy lips curved in an evil smile. “Precisely what I promised him I would, my dear. I am, after all, a man of my word.”

“And the girl?”

“Will be wed, post haste.”

“Have you come to a settlement already?”

“Not yet but I will apply myself wholeheartedly to doing so at once.”

“Sir Richard, you once mentioned Lord Barnesley. He seems the ideal candidate.”

His gaze narrowed beneath his bushy brows. “Barnesley? With all that is rumored about him? How cruel you are to suggest it, Barbara.”

“But the girl has proven that she needs a firm hand to rein her in.” She smiled. “Who better than Barnesley?”

He pursed his fleshy lips in thought. “’Tis a suitable enough punishment, for Barnesley will never tolerate her headstrong ways. Besides, he was one of my best prospects to begin with. The buggering bastard controls at least thirty votes in the Commons.”

“Then you approve of the match?” she asked, with care to conceal her eagerness.

“Aye. I’ll speak with him anon. I doubt he will waste any time in procuring a license.” He gave her a smug smile and kissed her hand in parting. “They will both rue the day they crossed us, my dear.”

When Barbara arrived back at Hanover Square, a reply to her earlier missive to Bloomsbury awaited. Barnesley had accepted her invitation to call the next afternoon. How positively charming. She clasped the reply to her breast with a chortle she made no effort to stifle, for it couldn’t have played out any better.





Chapter Seventeen


It was nearing midnight when Mary leaped from her bed at the sound of a key turning in the lock. “Jenny,” she whispered, hoping that it was only her maid finally returned. She heard the door open, but could not see into the blackness beyond. The heavy footsteps, however, revealed a male. The door closed softly, followed by another click of the tumblers.

She scrambled for the tinderbox, refusing to confront the intruder in darkness, but her hands shook too violently to be of any effect. She next heard the strike of flint against firesteel and held her breath, waiting for the trespasser to make his next move. After a flash of sparks, a flicker of candlelight broke the darkness. “Hadley?” she exhaled on a gush.

“Yes. Me,” he answered. “I thought you were asleep.” He placed the key on the mantle.

“I was, but now I am not.” She scrambled to cover herself with her dressing gown. “What are you doing here? I thought we were not to see one another for several days.”

With slow deliberation, he loosened and removed his cravat. “I’m afraid there’s been a change of plans that call for certain matters to be expedited.” His coat followed.

“Matters? Expedited? What do you mean?” she asked.

“To be frank, I am come to ravish you.” He stripped off his waistcoat.

“Ravish me?” She clutched her dressing gown and backed away a pace. And then two.

“Yes, my dear. It is Barbara’s idea. Since you won’t have me otherwise, I must now force myself upon you.” A dry smile pulled at his mouth.

Mary bit her lip. “By force?”

“If necessary, but I still don’t despair of achieving your full cooperation.”

He made short work of the buttons on his shirt, before it too, littered the floor, revealing his naked torso. She diverted her gaze but couldn’t ignore the scintillating sparks growing in her belly. “How?” she asked nervously licking her lips. “How do you plan to go about this…this…ravishment?”

He kicked off his shoes and advanced toward her. His lingering half-smile broadened into a wolfish grin. “Slowly and thoroughly, I hope.”

All of his movements seemed cool and measured, while all of her senses flared with alarm. She made another half-hearted protest. “Y-you said it could wait a short while…that I could become accustomed to the idea.”

“But my dear girl, have no fear, for I promise by the time we complete the preliminaries you will be exceedingly accustomed to the idea.”

“If it is consummation you seek. I will not thwart you.” Although she had done her best to put it off, it seemed there would be no more delaying the inevitable. They were wed. “I know it must be done.”

“Oh no, my dear girl, that shall not do at all.” He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his blue-black gaze and gently chided, “We will begin this conjugal union the same way we intend to go on. We must make this legal, but I will not bed a stiff and frightened virgin.”

“But what do you expect of me? I am anxious! How can I not be? I have no experience in these things.” It wasn’t the act itself that terrified her, but the thought of surrendering not just her body, but her heart.

“I have felt your passion, Mary.” He feathered his lips over her face, lightly brushing her jaw. Her cheeks. Her eyelids. “It’s like a banked fire inside you. You need only let it loose.”

“But—”

“Did you not vow to take my lead in all things?”