Dangerous Joy (31 page)

"That cannot license you to be my jailer!"

"It can when you not only threaten to run away, but do your damndest to seduce your hostess's husband!"

Not sure where acting ended and reality began, but hating the feeling of being bound again, Felicity glared into his eyes. "Jealous, are you? Would you rather I tried to seduce you?"

Stephen Ball moved between them. "If you're set on seduction, my dear, try me. I'm the only one here unentangled." His heavy-lidded eyes were surprisingly kind.

"Promise to help me be free of him, Sir Stephen, and I'll come to your room tonight."

"Ah, no. No strings attached. I have no taste for sex in the marketplace."

It was getting out of hand.

Then Gardeen appeared and leaped up into Felicity's lap.

As if unlocked from a spell, Beth came forward to untie the knots. "Enough of this foolishness. You have no intention of running off tonight, do you, Felicity?"

"Don't I?" asked Felicity, rubbing her wrists, though the cloth had scarcely made a mark.

"Not unless you've turned mad. It's growing dark, you have no money, and if you don't give your word I'll tie you up again."

Felicity scowled at her, but felt able to toss her head again in rebellion. "Oh, very well. And," she added, cuddling Gardeen, who had once again appeared in the nick of time, "I had no real intention of seducing your husband, Lady Arden."

"Good," said Beth amiably, "or I'd lock you up myself. If, that is, I thought you had the slightest chance of succeeding. And Blanche has an interest in Hal, which she's quite capable of defending. If you wish to amuse yourself with flirtation, for safety's sake, restrict yourself to Stephen and Miles."

"But one won't be bought and the other is supposed to protect me from such naughtiness." Felicity sauntered over to Miles and dangled the strips of cloth. "Are you going to amuse me, guardian dear?"

He snatched the rags and pushed her away. "Take up watercolors or something. I'm up to be rid of my dirt, and I suggest you prepare for dinner, too."

Since the whole company was dispersing, Felicity obeyed, nerves still jangling from that performance. It perhaps wasn't strange that she could act the rebel, but she was surprised at her ability to play the seductress. It had felt quite natural, as it had when she'd played the part of wanton Joy.

She was clearly the type of woman to be both willful and wicked in the right circumstances.

Chapter Seventeen

Over a rollicking meal, with everyone in high spirits, Felicity settled into her role, frequently causing Miles to wince. The other men were inclined to play to her part, but despite Miles's earlier warning she felt completely safe.

The marquess, however, raised one concern. "I've invited a bunch of fellows over on Sunday for a bit of sport and dinner. Felicity's presence makes things a little awkward."

"Why?" asked Miles. "We're not trying to keep her hidden."

"I was thinking of her reputation."

"Felicity acts the part of oppressed hoyden so well that no one will think she's here of her own will."

"There's no acting to it, Miles Cavanagh!" Felicity declared.

"Not to the hoyden part," he replied.

She scowled at him most realistically. I'll have you know that I am only a hoyden in so far as I object to men ruling my every thought and action!"

"Sure, and isn't that the definition of a hoyden?"

"Then I am proud to be one!"

Beth and Blanche applauded, and the men exchanged long-suffering looks. A maid was leaving the room with dirty dishes, and her rigid back fairly shouted disapproval of the wild Irish miss.

"I don't think the servants approve as much as you, Beth," Felicity said with a grin.

"Don't be so sure that I entirely approve. A determination to assert rights does not excuse bad manners. However, these servants are the higher echelons." She smiled at the butler, who was supervising the meal. "They'll not tattle of our affairs, will they, Corser?"

"Assuredly not, my lady."

"If we hold this party, however, we'll have to use some of the newer servants. We cannot be as sure of them."

"How true, my dear," said Lucien with a wink. "An unfortunate necessity."

Felicity caught the meaning that if they wanted her presence as rebellious prisoner to be known throughout the area, the party would be an excellent means.

"Most of the newer staff are employed outside the house, however," Lucien added.

Felicity almost grinned at the double-edged conversation. That meant she must go outside and be seen, preferably sulking.

"If you think to keep me trapped inside," she said, "think again!"

Miles sighed in a long-suffering manner. "I suppose we must allow you a few walks in the garden. Escorted, of course."

Felicity tossed her head. "Escorted by my oppressor? Faith but it's a bitter cup." Inside, however, she was wondering if the firestorms between them could be controlled if they spent time alone together, even in the open air.

Perhaps Miles thought the same thing. He looked at the other men. "I trust you three as guards. We can take turns."

"Blanche and I are happy to play escort, too," said Beth.

Blanche agreed. "It will give us more opportunity to enlighten the poor child as to her rights and responsibilities as a woman."

"Heaven help us all," muttered Miles.

"

"Tis fine for you, Miles Cavanagh," Felicity retorted. "You don't have to read Mary Wollstonecraft!"

Beth rapped on the table. "Attention, please. We haven't discussed the possible dangers of this party. One day, Felicity may want to take a respectable position in society. We all know that having spent days or even weeks here as a young, unmarried woman could be a cloud over her, and the party will make it known to many."

Felicity shrugged. "Once I'm married to Rupert, it won't matter a jot."

"Since you won't be marrying him..." Miles said.

Felicity rolled her eyes.

Beth intervened. "Don't burn your bridges, my dear. One day, you may well want to marry into a family where dignity and propriety is important."

"Gracious!" declared Felicity impudently, "I can't think that I've ever met anyone with a claim to dignity and propriety."

"On behalf of the future Duke and Duchess of Belcraven," said Lucien mildly, "I'll ignore that remark."

Felicity rested her chin on her hands and smiled at him. "But, my dear marquess, when one considers the indignity and impropriety of your English royalty, you have to admit that mere dukes should not claim to be higher than they."

"Treason as well," said Miles with a sigh. "Don't you have a damp and dismal dungeon to clap her in?"

"I'm afraid my ancestors abandoned their castle some centuries ago," said Lucien. "But it seems Miss Monahan has no care to the possible muddying of her reputation. So?"

Blanche interrupted at that point. "The problem here is not Felicity, but me. Without my presence, this house would be tolerably respectable, even if it is a hunting box. I have to confess that it wouldn't be a great sacrifice to return to civilization."

"You won't escape bucolic pleasure so easily, my dear!" Beth declared. "If there's any damage from your presence, it's already done."

"If you would just marry me," Hal pointed out, "such issues would not arise."

"It would be whitewash, and you know it," Blanche retorted. "And quick to flake!"

"To return to this festivity," said Lucien firmly, "we're speaking of a bunch of Meltonians, not the patronesses of Almack's. They'll not so much as think of the finer points of social behavior."

"True," said Beth, then flashed a sharp glance at her husband. "Unless you've invited any of the women."

"Phoebe Higgs, Violet Vane, and the like?" He grinned. "I wouldn't dare. Though you'd like Phoebe. Blanche certainly does."

"She's very good-hearted," said Blanche. "Spends a lot of time helping the poor..."

"...and recently demanded an increased allowance of her protector at pistol-point," added Stephen.

Beth smiled. "I think I would like her."

"No," said Lucien firmly.

"Certainly not at the moment," said Blanche. "For all her virtues, Phoebe is not company for a well-bred young lady."

"What well-bred young lady?" asked Miles with a dark look at his ward.

"There's nothing at all wrong with my breeding," Felicity replied pleasantly, helping herself to more cutlets. "My father's line can be traced back to Brian Boru."

"Then it's the training that's lacking."

She speared a piece of meat on her fork. "You mean I'm not quite broke to bridle yet? Not an easy ride?"

"Pax!" cried Beth, laughing. "I wish I had a dungeon for both of you." She turned to her husband. "As long as it's just men, and on the assumption that you haven't invited out-and-out scoundrels, I think we can brush through. We ladies will establish ourselves cozily in the morning room, and gentlemen who wish to behave properly may visit us. The rest may have the run of the house."

"Oh, as you say, they are all good fellows. As long as you can tolerate endless talk of hunting, they'll be well behaved."

"I've tolerated endless talk of hunting for the past few weeks, haven't I? Even though you never gave me prior indication of having such a restricted mind."

"Ah," said Lucien with a grin. "Itching for a discussion of Sophocles, are you?"

"Now that you mention it..."

Blanche, Hal, Miles, and Stephen groaned in unison.

"Not at the dinner table," said Hal firmly.

Blanche caught Felicity's bewildered look. "They were just winding the winch for a philosophical debate...in one or more foreign languages. Such things have to be nipped in the bud."

"Later," Lucien said to his wife with an almost sensual look.

Beth smiled back in the same manner, but the talk returned to the practicalities of the upcoming entertainment.

Felicity glanced at Miles. "They actually talk about such things for pleasure?"

"Astonishing, isn't it? But they'd think it just as peculiar to delight in a discussion of spavin and shoeing. Or, at least, Beth would."

Life at Vauxhall was not at all formal, but eventually the ladies did go apart for tea, leaving the men to their port. Felicity wondered if she might be treated less warmly after her flirtations, but neither Beth nor Blanche appeared to be concerned.

She thought wistfully that it must be lovely to be so secure in the affections of a partner, but then she realized she felt entirely secure in Miles's affections. The tragedy was that she could not allow herself to enjoy them.

When she was asked to play the piano, she did so willingly, for she could always lose herself in music. Despite having been left in a closed bedroom, Gardeen appeared to sit on the piano and enjoy the music. Locked doors did not seem to restrain the little cat at all.

Perhaps it was just that the servants going in and out were careless.

Yes, that must be it. But the fact was that Annie's cats were a strange lot, and Gardeen II just might be the strangest of them all.

The gentlemen were not long in joining them, and Felicity was asked to play a little more. She was happy enough to demonstrate that she had at least one desirable accomplishment.

After a few pieces, however, Miles ended the entertainment. "It's time for our council of war. We need to find a solution to Felicity's problem." Before," he added with a look, "her superb acting creates havoc`

Felicity moved to a chair, wrinkling her nose at him. "At least you acknowledge that it is acting."

"Sometimes. She's no harmless miss," he warned them all. "She's dangerous."

"And proud to be so!"

Beth clapped her hands. "Children! We are a team here. No fighting, please."

Felicity subsided, determined to keep a civil tongue in her head and show that it was mostly acting.

"Right," said Lucien. "Perhaps Felicity should state the problem as she sees it."

She was taken unawares, but accepted the necessity. "You all know about my child," she said. "I hope you can understand my need to have him as my own, even if not acknowledged. When I was young, I was persuaded to give him up, and I was lucky. It worked out quite well. I'm older now, though, and have more power. I know him better, too, and, in a way, love him more. I could not abandon him to strangers now, no matter how kind they seemed." She looked around. "I admit there's greed in it. I just want him."

"I think we understand, Felicity," Beth said.

Felicity flicked a glance at Miles, who was stroking Gardeen on his lap. She was not at all sure he understood, understood why Kieran had to come before their love.

She rather wished he were stroking her...

She dragged her mind back to the subject. "Rupert Dunsmore is Kieran's father, by blood and law. That gives him all the power in this. He wants my fortune and offers Kieran by way of trade. It's an attractive-enough carrot he dangles. If I marry him, I'll be my son's legal mother. Then there's the whip if I do not agree: Rupert will mistreat Kieran.