Authors: Jolie Cain
“Good lord, Caro. Where do you get your ideas? Does Stephen know the kinds of things that come out of your mouth?”
A giggle. “Oh, yes, indeed. In and out.”
A gasp and then a laugh. “He’s spoiled you rotten, hasn’t he?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Richard could easily picture the innocent expression on Caroline’s face. “Anyway, there are many attractive men here, don’t you think? You could take a lover, and no one would know. It’s perfect. You know people do have all kinds of assignations at country house parties with no one the wiser.”
“I don’t think…” Richard could hear the reluctance.
“You know it’s true. House parties are notorious for providing ample opportunities for romantic trysts.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t…”
“Take for instance Carlisle.”
“Carlisle? Good heavens! Do you mean the duke?”
“Yes. He and Stephen are exceedingly good friends, and I find him quite tolerable.
He’s very rugged and masculine, isn’t he? Not like some of those ridiculous dandies you see preening and prancing around. And from what the ladies tell me, he definitely knows his way around the boudoir. He would make you an absolutely delicious lover.” Richard raised his brows as his best friend’s wife expressed her appreciation for his…manly attributes. It actually made him a trifle…uncomfortable…to know that she knew so much about his…activities.
“Good lord. No, thank you. I do not want to take a lover, Caroline. And especially not a rake like the Duke of Carlisle. Even in the wilds of Melksham we’ve heard of the notorious Duke and his numerous conquests. Why just last month there was gossip about some Cyprian who caused a scene at a ball. Threw a diamond bracelet at his head, I believe.”
“Oh, twaddle. Who cares about some foolish gossip?”
“I do. You know what they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
“So what if it is true? You said yourself you’re not looking for a husband. We’re talking a brief connection only. And he is a beautiful man, you must admit.”
Richard could feel his cheeks heating in embarrassment. Good lord, Stephen really did need to take his wife in hand. He leaned forward, surprisingly eager to hear the unknown lady’s opinion of him.
“Indeed. And no doubt has been told that countless times by opera singers and merry widows eager to grace his arm and his bed. I’ve no desire to become the next in a long, long line of castoff ladybirds to the devilish duke.”
“Hmmm…mayhap you’re right. You probably need someone a little less…
experienced. How about Lord Brandon, then? Now he’s a very nice man. Quite attractive, too, if you like that studious type. Or Sir Evan Spencer? He’s a terrific horseman, and you know how you love to ride. Stephen admires him greatly. Though I do believe he is a bit of a rake as well. Why is it always that the most interesting men are rakes, do you suppose?”
A heavy sigh. “I told you, Caro, dear. I do not want a lover. Not a husband. Not a man at all.”
“But why ever not?” He could hear Caroline’s disappointment. He also wanted to know the answer to that question. The longer he had listened, the more intrigued he had become.
The lady’s voice dropped to almost a whisper, and Richard had to strain to hear her response. “Truthfully, dearest, I didn’t exactly enjoy the marital act.”
“What? Not at all?” Caroline’s shock reflected his own.
“It was…uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. I have no desire to repeat the experience, I assure you.”
“Oh, pish posh. Just because your husband was hamfisted in the bedroom, that doesn’t mean that another man couldn’t make things more pleasurable. Indeed, Stephen is quite the best lover ever, though to be honest, he is the only one I’ve had. But he did tell me that other men weren’t as talented in the boudoir as he.” The last was said with a hint of pity, obviously for all the ladies who would no longer be lucky enough to receive the attentions of the oh-so-talented Earl.
It was all Richard could do not to chuckle aloud at that comment delivered so seriously by his friend’s wife. He would really have to poke a little fun at his friend about his bedroom
talent.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time he had heard a married woman complain about her husband’s poor performance between the sheets. Which was one of the reasons he’d always been so successful with the ladies. He’d never subscribed to what he believed was the ridiculous opinion that real ladies should not enjoy themselves in bed.
“No. Caroline. Really. I do not wish for a lover. I am quite content as I am.”
“But, sweetheart, it breaks my heart to think of you rattling around in that big old house all alone with no one for companionship. You’ll grow into one of those bitter old women with a houseful of cats who does nothing all day but sit around and eat macaroons. I couldn’t bear it.”
“I’m hardly alone. I have a housekeeper, a housemaid, a cook, a gardener, and a lady’s maid. I assure you, I have plenty of company. Besides, Rose Cottage is not that large. I haven’t heard a single rattle. And I haven’t got a cat. Well, except for the cook’s tabby and a lovely little mouser that stays in the barn.” A hint of humor again crept into the lady’s voice.
“Oh, servants. It’s not the same. I’m talking about your peers, people you can associate with, not people you order around.”
“I’m not really much of an orderer, Caroline. And I do have friends, you know. My neighbors, the Leyworths, invite me to dine quite frequently. Pastor Merson and his wife call on me every week. And there’s the occasional assembly. Plus I have my charities.
Indeed, I assure you I keep myself quite busy.”
“Assemblies and charities! Really. You know that’s not what I mean. Oh, you’re just being difficult.”
“Plus, I always look forward to your visits,” the lady continued, ignoring her friend’s outburst.
“But now that I’ve married, I shan’t get to visit you as often as I used to, you said that yourself. Oh, how can I be happy when I know you’re so very lonely?” Caroline’s voice turned cajoling.
“Well, I was planning on getting a pup. Would that make you feel better than a cat?”
Caroline giggled. “You are too bad, really. A pup?”
“Yes, you know. Perhaps a sweet-faced little mutt. So when I go on my long rambles, I have some company? And you can picture him curled at my feet on cold winter nights as I sit doing my needlework. There. I’ve solved the problem and didn’t even need a man to do it.”
They both broke into laughter again, and Richard’s own mouth curled up.
“Anyway,” Caroline’s friend continued, “I think it’s time you got back to your company. They’re probably all wondering where you’ve disappeared to.”
“Oh, posh. Most of them are probably still abed.” A long-suffering sigh reached Richard’s ears. “But I suppose I should go down and at least put in an appearance in case a few have begun to stir. I can’t believe I let Stephen talk me into this house party. Still, I’m glad we got the chance to spend some time together. Perhaps we could do this every morning while you’re here. I do miss you dreadfully, you know?”
“Me, too.”
Richard could hear the women’s movements as they rose to their feet and, fearing he would be caught eavesdropping, he dashed down the hall. He hadn’t a hope of reaching the stairwell, though, so he turned about halfway down and began strolling leisurely back the way he had come. When the ladies emerged, it appeared he had just arrived and was heading in their direction.
“Ah, Caroline. There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for Stephen. Do you know where he is? We were supposed to go riding this morning.”
“Good morning, Richard. Yes, I believe his new stallion Cesar has a swollen fetlock.
One of the stable lads came to fetch him a while ago. He went down to the stables to check on him.”
“That’s a shame. I guess that means the ride is cancelled.”
He turned to look curiously at Caroline’s companion. She was, indeed, quite a frumpish sight. Thick spectacles perched on the end of a small nose, quite concealing the color of her eyes. Her dark hair was tightly pulled back from her face, though here and there a few curls had escaped to frame her face. Her head was covered by a hideously ugly cap, and her dress was an unflattering dull beige that made her skin look sallow and unattractive. It hung on her like a potato sack, completely concealing any womanly curves. It was quite an effective disguise. It was no wonder the other men had not seen through it. If he himself had not overheard the conversation between the two friends, he probably would also have overlooked what he had begun to suspect was a hidden jewel.
Caroline noticed the focus of his attention. “Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t think you two have met before. Lilith, Lady Morely, may I present His Grace, the Duke of Carlisle?”
“Your Grace.” She bobbed a curtsy, and he reached to take her hand in his.
“A pleasure, my lady.” Then he bent and dropped a brief kiss to the back of her hand, lingering perhaps a moment longer than was appropriate. She gave him a startled look, and he thought he saw her eyes narrow suspiciously, though it was hard to tell through the thick lenses. What an intriguing little minx. He could barely hide his grin.
* * * *
“I saw your wife earlier today having a nice coze with her friend from Melksham.”
Stephen darted a glance over his shoulder before turning back to take his shot.
“Indeed. Caroline was thrilled that Lily was able to join us this week. They don’t get together as much as they like.”
“How do they know one another? They just don’t look…quite compatible.”
Stephen cursed over his missed shot and then crossed over to where his glass of whiskey sat on a nearby table. After taking a drink, he grinned. “Looks can be deceiving, old man.”
So Stephen knew the truth of the matter. “Indeed. I found the lady’s disguise a trifle overdone.”
His friend burst into laughter. “I should have known if anyone could see through her little charade, it would be you.”
He grinned somewhat sheepishly, knowing that if he hadn’t overheard that very private conversation earlier, he would probably still be completely oblivious to the lady’s charms. Now the need to see her without the costume she’d wrapped herself in was gnawing at him. “Tell me, how long has Caroline known the lady?”
“They were in school together before Lily married. She was Lilith Raleigh, daughter of Sir Philip Bassingame before she wed Lord Morely.”
“Ah, yes. The dearly departed. Seems an odd match, even for the peerage. The man had to be a lot older than his bride.” Richard took his shot and then stood back to chalk his cue as Stephen studied the table.
“It was criminal is what it was. Word was that Lily’s father’s pockets were to let. He had a wicked gambling problem.” He walked around to take position and sank his ball with a quiet thunk. “Sold the girl to old Morely, according to the rumor mill. There was a forty year age difference. A shame, really.”
Richard vaguely remembered Edgar Laughton, Lord Morely. He recalled a corpulent, self-righteous man who wore his title as if it gave him leave to crush everyone who he didn’t deem
good ton
. It must have galled him enormously to not have an heir to pass on his title and lands. At least he had provided for his widow.
“How did he die?”
“Fell dead while riding around his estate on horseback. Heart gave out, I believe.”
“And his widow has been on her own ever since?”
Stephen propped himself against the side of the billiard table. “Yes. They never went out much in society, according to Caroline. He preferred to keep her at home, secluded on their estate in Northampshire. He would occasionally come up to town, but no one ever saw Lily.” His jaw firmed. “Caroline says that he mistreated his wife, and I believe her.
Apparently he blamed her for their lack of an heir.”
Richard frowned. “He beat her?” He took a sip of his own drink.
Stephen shrugged. “No one knows for sure. And Lily isn’t talking. I think she prefers to put the whole thing behind her. Why the interest? I wouldn’t think she was quite your type.”
“I wouldn’t have thought so either. But turns out we were both wrong.”
Stephen got a serious look on his face. “Carlisle, you know I love you like a brother.
But if you’re thinking of adding her to your list of conquests, I urge you against such an endeavor. She’s not one of your lightskirts. I wouldn’t have her hurt. My wife would never forgive me if I didn’t look out for her. Especially while she is under my roof.”
“She’s hardly a starry-eyed innocent in need of your protection, Stephen. She’s an experienced widow of two years and, from what I understand, quite able to take care of herself. In fact, I believe she prides herself on her ability to make her own decisions.”
“You seem to have learned an awful lot about her in a very short time. How is that possible?”
“I have my ways, my friend.” He winked at Stephen who just laughed and shook his head. “And I’m certain that she would resent your trying to warn me off her this way.”
“Probably,” he acknowledged with a wry grin. “But she is a good friend of Caro’s so I feel it is my duty to look after her.”
“You think she’s unable to protect herself?”
Stephen chuckled. “Not at all. In fact, perhaps it’s you to whom I should be delivering a warning.”
“Ha. You think a lot of Lady Morely, then?”
“Yes, I do. From everything I’ve learned of her, both from Caroline and others, I think the lady has had a damnable time of it. She has finally found a measure of contentment, and I would not have that disrupted by a chance encounter with you. If your only intention is to toy with the lady and move on, perhaps you should seek out another.”
“Perhaps the lady would not appreciate your protection. Perhaps she might find my attentions…enjoyable. After all,” Richard couldn’t resist, “you’re not the only one with
talents
in the boudoir.”
Stephen’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, and it was all Richard could do not to laugh in his face, but his friend merely nodded. “It is true that the lady might be ripe for an
affaire
de coeur.
And it is certainly not my place to interfere in something so personal. As you said, she is a grown woman and knows her own mind. I just don’t want to see her heartbroken and deserted once the thrill of the chase wears off for you. You’re not exactly known for lengthy entanglements. Or are you thinking of finally getting leg shackled? Now that I think about it, Lily would probably make you a very lovely duchess. She’s intelligent, practical, and quite personable when you get to know her. She knows how to manage a large home and is an experienced hostess, to boot.”