Captive Pride (20 page)

“Would tomorrow night be all right?”

“Tomorrow night would be wonderful,” he assured her as he started to leave. “Until then?”

Faith watched until he had disappeared out of sight down the street before going back inside. Once she was alone, she hugged herself excitedly. Matthew had come to her! He had kissed her and told her that he wanted to see her again! Faith couldn't wait for her mother to return so she could tell her all that had happened. She was so filled with joy that she almost danced as she made her way back to the rigors of her sewing, the task no longer seeming so wearisome.

Margaret Kingsley took the cup of tea CC was offering and sat back with a contented sigh. “Thank you, CC.”

“You're welcome, Margaret,” CC responded as she handed a cup to Caroline Chadwick, too. “I'm so glad you had time to stop by this morning.”

Usually CC was glad to see her friends, but today it was an effort just to remain pleasant. What little sleep she'd gotten had been less than refreshing, and she'd awakened this morning more tense than ever. She had been looking forward to a quiet morning alone with her thoughts, but all hopes of privacy had been shattered when Margaret and Caroline had shown up unannounced just to chat about the ball.

“Your ball was simply wonderful. Everything went so well,” Caroline complimented.

“So you had a good time?”

“Of course we did,” Margaret chided easily before adding in her most gossipy tone, “And so did quite a few others…Eve Woodham, for one.”

CC groaned inwardly as she realized what was about to come.

“It was just disgusting the way Eve made a fool of herself over Lord Kincade last night,” Caroline condemned. “She followed him around all evening long.”

“And they even left together—early,” Margaret offered in her usual busybody way. “I wonder how Lord Radcliffe felt about that….”

“I saw him later with several young ladies gushing all over him, and he didn't look particularly upset by Eve's behavior,” Caroline provided.

“We shall see.” Margaret gave them a knowing nod as she drank her tea.

“I wonder how long Lord Kincade stayed with Eve after they departed? We all know that since her husband's death Eve has had the morals of an alley cat, so it's not hard to imagine what did go on once they were alone,” Caroline sniffed judgmentally.

“You'd think the man would have better taste.” Margaret's caustic comment brought a delighted peal of laughter from Caroline. “After all, every rumor I heard about him emphasized what a popular figure he was on the London social scene. With his vast experience, I can't understand what he could possibly find appealing in Eve.”

“I know what Eve saw in him,” Caroline pointed out with a wide smile, her gaze on CC.

“Ummm,” Margaret agreed as she took a sip of tea. “He's unbelievably handsome, and titled on top of it all. I found him simply devastating.”

Though she wanted to deny her feeling, CC found herself growing increasingly jealous as she listened to their conversation. She hadn't wanted to think about Noah and Eve, but now there was no avoiding it, and she was miserable. She realized Lord Kincade had been the center of attention last night. It seemed that everyone had been watching him, and she wondered if they had been aware of her time with him in the garden. Certainly they had been alone in the darkness far longer than was truly acceptable.

“Didn't you, CC?” Caroline asked, her question cutting into CC's thoughts.

CC tried to keep her expression bland as she faced her friend. “I don't know what you mean.”

“I mean, darling, I saw you go outside with his brother Matthew, and then he followed shortly thereafter.” Dying to know more, Caroline dropped all effort at pretense. “Matthew returned, but the two of you didn't…at least not right away.”

“CC!” Margaret was avidly intrigued by this new tidbit of information and she set her cup aside, leaning forward to hear more. “Do you mean to tell me that you spent some time alone with that devilishly good-looking man?”

CC managed a small shrug. “Yes, but there isn't that much to tell. I had gone outside for a breath of fresh air, and he joined me on the terrace.” She tried to sound unaffected. “He was very courteous.”
A LIE.
“And we talked for a while.”
NOT ENTIRELY A LIE
. “And then we came back inside.”
SEPARATELY
. “He is a business acquaintance of my father, you know.”
AND A TURNCOAT DOUBLE-DEALER
.

“What a disappointment that something didn't develop between you,” Margaret grumbled good-naturedly. “You're so much more attractive than Eve, and you have so much more to offer a man.”

CC breathed a deep sigh of relief that she'd managed the awkward situation so well. CC knew that if she could convince her friends of her disinterest in the man, she could convince anybody.

“Well, I thank you for the compliments, Margaret, but Lord Kincade is really not my type.” CC wanted to scream the last in denial.

“And John is?” Caroline was quick to ask. “I noticed you spent a lot of time together last night. Are you becoming more serious about him? He is a wonderful young man.”

“John is very dear to me.” She kept her reply deliberately vague. “But surely you both must know by now that I have absolutely no intention of marrying anyone, any time soon.”

“Of course.” They sighed, disheartened that they hadn't learned any exciting news from CC.

“More tea?” CC offered.

“We'd love to stay on and visit some more, dear, but we do have to be going. We're meeting Marianna for luncheon. Would you like to join us?”

“I appreciate the invitation, but I'm still a little tired from last night. I think I'll just stay home today and rest.” She accompanied them to the front door, carefully disguising her relief that they were finally going. Caroline and Margaret were her good friends, but they were very discerning, and it wasn't always easy to keep one's feelings from them. She was glad that she had managed to this time, for it wouldn't do for anyone to suspect that something had happened with Noah last night.

“Maybe next time.”

“I wouldn't miss it,” CC assured them. “Tell Marianna I said hello.”

“We will.”

When they had gone, CC made her way back to the quiet of the parlor and closed the double doors behind her. CC moved slowly across the room to stare out the wide, heavily draped window that overlooked the gardens. She could see the summerhouse in the distance, and her heart lurched agonizingly as she remembered all that had passed there.

Shaking herself mentally, she knew she had to get a grip on herself. Caroline and Margaret's idle chatter had hurt more than she cared to admit, and she wanted nothing more than to put all thoughts of Noah Kincade and Eve Woodham from her. What did it matter if he, after having had his way with her, went home with Eve? Why should she care if he'd bedded her, too? Kincade meant nothing to her. What had happened between them had been an accident that would not be repeated. As Margaret had said, he was a rake and a womanizer, and last night he'd certainly lived up to his reputation.

A shiver of disgust wracked her as she thought of Eve wrapped in Noah's arms, sharing his passion and being totally possessed by his hard, driving body. The vision was devastating to CC even as it angered her. Kincade might be a nobleman, but there was absolutely nothing noble about him.

 

Gilbert answered Noah's knock at the front door. “Lord Kincade, come in!” he greeted enthusiastically, ushering him inside. “It's a pleasure to see you again, sir.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Demorest was called away for an unexpected meeting this morning, but he told me to be certain that you were made comfortable if you arrived before his return. He was positive that he would be here by the noon hour, and it's almost that now,” the butler quickly explained as he guided him toward the parlor. “Would you care for a drink while you wait?”

“No, thank you. I'll be fine,” Noah declined.

“Please make yourself at home here in the parlor,” Gilbert told him as he opened one of the parlor doors to admit Noah to the room. He thought it odd that the doors were closed but dismissed it as unimportant, for he knew that Miss CC's company had left a short time before.

“I shall. Thank you.” Noah strode easily into the seemingly empty room.

“Yes, sir.” The butler withdrew, closing the door after him as he went.

At the sound of someone opening the door, CC had turned from her tormented vigil by the window to stare aghast as Noah came striding into the room. For a brief instant CC was frozen into immobility by the sight of him, but the moment soon passed, and she found herself totally, irrationally infuriated. Kincade! In her home! How dare he? She couldn't prevent herself from venting her outrage.

“You!” she hissed venomously as she glared at him. “What are you doing here! I thought I told you to stay away from me!”

Noah was caught off guard by her presence, and the atmosphere in the room was suddenly charged as their gazes met. At the sight of her, a flicker of an unidentified emotion flared in his eyes, but Noah was quick to mask his feelings. Though his senses came alive at her very nearness, and the wildfire of desire that had possessed him the night before threatened to rekindle, Noah kept his expression cool as he fought against his disturbing reaction to her.

“Why, CC…what a pleasant surprise,” he drawled, his lips curving into a mocking smile. “How nice to see you again.”

“Get out of my home!” CC stalked across the room toward him, her hands resting belligerently on her hips.

Noah ignored her obvious upset and sat down on the sofa with an easy male grace. “I'm afraid that's not quite possible, my dear.”

“Why, you! I'll call Gilbert and have him throw you out!” she declared, his arrogant, commanding attitude pushing her past control.

In a huff, CC started toward the doors to get the butler. She had to get away from him. He was so very attractive, and her reaction to him was so strong. Why, just the sight of him and the sound of his voice had set her pulse racing.

There was no doubt in her mind that she hated him and never wanted to see him again; yet from the moment he'd entered the parlor, she'd been flooded with memories of the heat of his mouth on hers and the rapture that had come when he'd taken her to the peak of pleasure. The realization of the power of her response to him only served to make her more desperate.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Noah remarked, and his words halted her flight toward the door.

“And just why is that?” she demanded.

“Because it just might prove embarrassing for you.” Noah casually adjusted his cuff as he covertly watched the betraying play of emotions that crossed her face.

“I don't see how my asking Gilbert to escort you from the house would embarrass me.”

“Personally, it doesn't matter to me what you do.” Noah's smile was feral. “Go ahead and have me thrown out if you wish, but since your father invited me here today—”

“My father did what?” She couldn't believe it.

“Your father invited me for luncheon today, and I'm sure he would find it most strange if I were to depart so unexpectedly. Certainly he would want to know my reason, wouldn't he?”

CC gritted her teeth in frustration as she glowered at him, her expression stormy. “If my father knew what kind of traitor you were…”

“And just who is going to tell him?
You?
” he challenged, leaving her momentarily at the disadvantage. “I don't think I've ever met anyone as free with condemning labels as you are, my dear,” Noah said harshly as he came to his feet and walked toward her. “You brand me ten times the lowlife, and yet you are no better. Isn't it rather like the pot calling the kettle black? I find it highly hypocritical of you to call me a traitor for dealing with the rebels while you continue your secret support to the very same group. How can there be any difference?”

“The difference is motive, Kincade!” she seethed. “I support them because of the injustices I've seen and lived with, while you're dealing with them purely out of greed. You don't care about the very real problems here in the colonies. All you care about is making money.”

“You're right.” His gaze was glittering as he stood before her. “That is
all
I care about—making money, and making it as quickly as I can.”

“You're despicable,” she whispered, and there was a tremor in her voice as she gazed up at him. She suddenly felt as if she was seeing the real Noah Kincade for the first time.

“I don't care what you think of me, CC, and what difference does it make as long as we can use each other to achieve our mutual ends?” Noah asked, reaching out to touch her cheek.

CC slapped his hand away, “I hate you, Kincade!”

“You didn't hate me last night,” he taunted.

“Last night was a horrible mistake!”

“I didn't notice that you thought it was so horrible at the time.” Noah found himself suddenly compelled to force her to admit that she'd enjoyed their encounter.

“You bastard! You're cold and unfeeling. Nothing like your brother. Matthew would never have forced me the way that you did.”

The urge to throttle her was great, but Noah curbed it. His laugh was a sharp, derisive bark. “Force you? My dear, I've never had to force a woman in my life, least of all you. You wanted me, and you can't deny it!”

“I couldn't stand your touch!” she lied.

Her words provoked him, and Noah suddenly needed to prove her wrong.

Before she could react, he reached out and grasped her arm, dragging her forcefully against him. Excitement, hard and powerful, surged through him.

“Tell me how you can't stand my caresses, CC,” he snarled as his mouth moved to claim hers.

Noah seemed so angry that CC had expected him to be rough, but the play of his lips across hers was soft and subtly seductive. CC was torn. She wanted to get away from him, but her body was responding to his kiss despite all her logic. Like a flower blossoming before the warmth of the sun, her senses craved more of this man. When he wanted to deepen the exchange, she could not deny him. A low moan escaped her as her will was vanquished.

Noah smiled to himself as he felt her resistance weaken. She wanted him. In spite of all her previous denials, there was no way she could disguise the depth of her attraction for him. He knew a moment of triumph as he realized that he could take her, right then and there, and she would not fight him. The fire of his passion flamed anew, and he brought her full-length against him as the wildfire of his desire threatened to burn out of control.