To Seduce a Sinner (Legend of the Four Soldiers #2)(32)

“Here it is,” she said, and he halted the horses in front of a modest town house.

He tied the reins off and jumped from the phaeton. Even with his haste, by the time he rounded the carriage, she had stood and was about to get down from the high seat by hrthigh seaerself.

He gripped her about the waist and looked her in the eye. “Permit me.”

He hadn’t made it a question, but she inclined her head anyway. She was a tall woman, but fine boned. His hands nearly met around her waist. He lifted her easily and felt a kind of thrill go through his body. Held above his head, she was helpless and in his power.

She looked down at him and arched an awful eyebrow, despite the fact that he could feel her trembling beneath his hands. “Might you set me on the ground now?”

He grinned. “Of course.”

He lowered her slowly, relishing the feel of control. He knew it wouldn’t become an everyday occurrence with her. As soon as her toes touched the road, she stepped back and shook out her skirts.

She gave him a repressive look from under her brows. “My aunt is rather hard of hearing, and she doesn’t like gentlemen much.”

“Oh, good.” He held his arm for her. “This should be interesting.”

“Humph.” She placed her fingertips on his sleeve, and again he felt that thrill. Perhaps he’d had too much tea at breakfast.

They mounted the steps, and he let the tarnished brass knocker fall against the door. Then there was a rather extended wait.

Jasper glanced at his bride. “You said she was deaf, but are her servants deaf as well?”

She pursed her lips, which had the contrary effect of making him want to kiss her. “They’re not deaf, but they are rather old and—”

The door creaked open, and a rheumy eye peered out at them. “Aye?”

“Lord and Lady Vale to see Miss . . .” He turned to Melisande and whispered, “What was her name again?”

“Miss Rockwell.” She shook her head and addressed the aged butler. “We’re here to see my aunt.”

“Ah, Miss Fleming,” the old man wheezed. “Come in, come in.”

“It’s Lady Vale,” Jasper said loudly.

“Eh?” The butler cupped a hand behind his ear.

“Lady Vale,” Jasper bawled. “My wife.”

“Yes, sir, indeed, sir.” The man turned and tottered down the hall.

“I don’t think he understood me,” Jasper said.

“Oh, good Lord.” Melisande tugged at his sleeve, and they entered the house.

Her aunt must either have a dislike of using candles or be able to see in the dark, for the hallway was very nearly black.

Jasper squinted. “Where’d he go?”

“This way.” Melisande marched forward as if she knew exactly where to go.

And she did, for after a series of turns and a flight of stairs, they were presented with a door and a room with a light.

“Who’s there?” a querulous voice asked from beyond the door.

“Miss Fleming an’ a gentleman, mum,” the old butler replied.

“Lady Vale,” Jasper shouted as they entered the room.

“What?” A petite elderly lady sat upright in a daybed, surrounded by white lace and ribbons and bows. She held a long brass horn to her ear, which she swiveled in their direction. “What?”

Jasper bent and spoke into the ear horn. “She’s Lady Vale now.”

“Who?” Miss Rockwell lowered the ear horn in evident exasperation. “Melisande, dear, it’s so nice to see you, but who is this gentleman? He says he’s a lady. That can’t be right.”

Jasper felt a tremble go through Melisande’s slight frame, and then she was still again. He had a violent urge to kiss her, but he suppressed it with effort.

“This is my husband, Lord Vale,” Melisande said.

“Is he indeed?” The lady didn’t look particularly pleased at the news. “Well, why’ve you brought him ’round here?”

“I wanted to meet you,” Jasper said, tiring of being talked about as if he weren’t there.

“What?”

“I heard you had the best cakes,” he bawled.

“Cheek!” The old lady’s head reared back, making the ribbons on her cap tremble. “Who told you that?”

“Oh, everyone,” Jasper said. He sat in a settee and pulled his wife down to sit beside him. “Isn’t it true?”

The old lady pursed her lips in a manner he’d grown to recognize from Melisande. “My cook does make rather good cakes.”

She nodded at the butler, who looked somewhat surprised to be sent from the room.

“Splendid!” Jasper crossed one ankle over the opposite knee. “Now, I’m hoping you know what kind of mischief my wife used to get up to as a child.”

“Lord Vale!” Melisande exclaimed.

He looked at her. Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes were wide in irritation. She was quite lovely, in fact.

He tilted his head toward her. “Jasper.”

She pursed her lips.

His eyes dropped to her mouth and then rose again to meet her own. “Jasper.”

Her mouth opened, vulnerable and a little tremulous, and he thanked God that the skirts of his coat covered his groin.