Miss Foster’s Folly (27 page)

“What’s the matter, your lordship? Frightened enough that you have to hide behind a lady’s pets?” Carter taunted.

“Stop it, both of you,” Harry ordered.

“Not until I’ve drawn blood,” Derrington said.

“Just try. I dare you,” Carter answered, still circling but not making much progress because of the damned furred obstacles.

Oh, for the love of God. Derrington strode to the door. “Russell, get in here and bring a footman. No, two footmen.”

The yapping and howling continued, although now, Harry was doing her best to calm the animals. Carter didn’t seem the least afraid of all the snapping of jaws, and Derrington would have to give him credit for that, too, as soon as he didn’t want to kill the man with his bare hands.

Russell appeared, finally, with two stout fellows in tow.

“Get these damned beasts out of here so I can think,” Derrington ordered.

All three of the servants waded into the fray, and soon both of the dogs were under control. The footmen turned and dragged the hounds away.

“Take care with my babies,” Harry called after them.

“Babies? They tried to take my hand off,” Derrington said.

“You two are to blame with your brawling,” she said. “They’re high-strung. You set them off.”

“Harry, leave us alone,” Derrington said.

“To bloody each other’s pretty faces?” she said. “I think not.”

“I mean it. This is between Carter and me.”

His grandmother walked up to him and stuck her nose up into his face. Or tried. It only reached his shoulder. “You can’t order me about. I demand to know why you’re fighting.”

“This dolt claims I’ve done something to upset Juliet.” Derrington gestured toward Carter. “I’ve done everything in my power to make her happy.”

“Then, why does she cry at the drop of a hat?” Carter shouted back. “I never made her cry. It must be your fault.”

“Oh, that,” Harry said.

“What do you mean by ‘Oh, that’?” Derrington said. “I suppose you know what’s wrong with Juliet.”

Harry put her hands on her hips. “Of course, I do.”

“Then, perhaps, you’d enlighten Carter here so he can stop making false accusations.”

“You really don’t know?” She glanced to Carter and then back to him. “Neither of you?”

“Would I ask if I did?” Wonderful. Now, he was bellowing at his own grandmother.

She raised her hands toward heaven. “Lord, if there’s anything more ignorant than one man, it’s two of them.”

“Harry, I swear to God…”

“She’s breeding, obviously,” Harry said.

Breeding? The word didn’t register. He knew what it meant. So, why didn’t he know what it meant?

Carter looked equally stunned. “Do you mean she’s enceinte?”

“Yes. She’s with child. She’s in the family way,” Harry said. “She’s pregnant.”

“She’s going to have a baby?” Derrington said.

“Ah, the light dawns,” Harry said.

“How could you know that?” Derrington said.

“She eats chutney by the handful. She nods off in the middle of the day. And she cries for no reason at all,” Harry said. “What else could be wrong with her?”

“She’s going to have a baby.” Derrington stumbled backward until the backs of his legs found a chair, and then he flopped into it. “My baby.”

“The two of you have been indulging in carnality since you arrived here, haven’t you?” Harry said.

“Of course.”

“How many times?”

He waved a hand. “I lost count.”

“And how long have you been here?” she asked.

“Weeks, months.”

“Then, what did you expect to happen?” she demanded.

“She’s going to have my baby.” Oh, dear God. All the air went out of him and then came back in a rush. Suddenly, he was drunk with it, his heart threatening to burst. Images crowded in on him. Juliet with life growing inside her—the product of their love. Juliet, glowing with happiness as she put his hand on her belly to feel the child kick. Juliet, smiling as she laid the baby in his arms. Could anything on Earth be more miraculous?

Harry pressed her lips to his forehead. “Well, Bump, I’m glad to see something finally bumped you back.”

“She’s going to have my baby.”

“There’s one little problem, isn’t there?” Carter said from leagues away across the room.

“Bloody hell.” Reality crashed back in on him. “I let her go.”

“You did what?” Harry said.

“She wanted to leave, and I let her,” he answered.

“I don’t believe it.” Harry raised her hands again. “What an idiotic, simple-minded, purely stupid thing to do.”

“I didn’t think I had any choice.”

“‘She was upset,’ he says.” Carter’s voice dripped sarcasm. “‘Miss Rhodes wanted to go with her,’ he says. ‘So, I ordered a carriage,’ he says.”

“You didn’t think much of me holding her against her will, as I recall,” Derrington answered.

“She wasn’t pregnant and out of her mind then,” Carter said.

He got out of his chair again. “You didn’t realize she was pregnant any more than I did.”

“I didn’t have anything to do with getting her that way, either.” Carter lifted his fists again.

Harry grabbed his arm. “Think, Bump. She must have said something about where she was headed.”

“Not to me, but she did to Miss Rhodes.” He probed his memory, but at the time of that conversation, he’d thought of nothing but the fact that Juliet was leaving him. He should have pressed for more information.

“Well…” Harry prompted.

“Miss Rhodes thought Juliet didn’t know the destination herself, but she thought it might be Geneva.” Yes, Geneva. Thank God that had finally come to him. “That’s it. I’ll go there immediately.”

“I’ll go with you,” Carter said.

Derrington glared at the man for a moment and then recalled something else Millie had said. Carter could find anyone. He’d have to take him along. “All right.”

“How much of a head start do they have?” Carter asked.

“They would have made the train last night. Gone to Brighton at the first rays of dawn. Probably crossing the channel as we speak.”

“They could be on a train to Switzerland before we leave,” Carter said.

“If, indeed, they are going there.”

“We have some catching up to do. Luckily, I do know someone in Geneva.” Carter paused, and a tiny smile flashed over his features. “A small hotel. A twilight garden.”

“Another time, Carter.”

Carter cleared his throat. “I’m off to pack. Won’t take me but ten minutes.”

“I’m right behind you,” Derrington said.

Carter left at a near run. Derrington made to follow, but Harry caught him.

“All will be well, Bump. You’ll find her and bring her home.”

“I do hope so.” He sighed. “But what if she still refuses to marry me? I can’t force her.”

“She’ll agree. She would have come ’round, in any case.” Harry rose on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You’re far too wonderful to resist.”

***

“In the name of heaven, if I have to tour one more botanical garden, I’ll see flowers in my nightmares,” Derrington said.

Sitting across the table from him in the elegant tearoom, Jack Carter pulled a handkerchief from his jacket and sneezed discreetly into it. “Damned pollen.”

A distinguished gray-haired lady at the next table arched a brow in disapproval. No doubt in response to Carter’s language. Derrington couldn’t fault the man for swearing. He, himself, would much rather be sitting somewhere else where everything around him didn’t appear so smashable. The teacups, the china, the glassware…all of it would make such a satisfying crash against the tile floor if he let himself vent his frustration.

“Couldn’t we look for Juliet in a dingy pub somewhere?” he asked.

“I don’t think they have pubs in Geneva,” Carter answered.

“They must have dark places that serve strong liquor.”

“I don’t think we’d find Juliet in there.”

“I don’t see why not,” he answered. “The day I first proposed to her, she was drinking bourbon.”

“She was?”

“She served me Scotch,” Derrington answered.

Carter whistled softly between his teeth. “She must have really been terrified of you.”

Could she have feared him? A few weeks ago, he would have laughed at any suggestion that something could frighten Juliet Foster. Now that he’d held her close to him, felt her bury herself in his embrace in the aftermath of their lovemaking—now that he’d seen her tears—he had to admit that he knew almost nothing about her at all. Just that he loved her with every last, tiny part of him and that she carried his child. And now she was pregnant in a foreign city, and he couldn’t find her. If she didn’t have Millicent Rhodes with her, he’d go mad with worry.

“She’s all right, Derrington, I promise you,” Carter said.

“You can’t know that.”

“We checked all the hospitals. She wasn’t in any of them.”

“I know.” He sighed. “Pregnancy isn’t a disease, and she’s healthy.”

Only, she wasn’t young for a woman having her first child. She must realize her condition by now. She’d have to be scared, at least of the labor. He’d gotten her into this state, and she was facing it without him. What a damned idiotic move to let her run off. Even if he hadn’t realized her physical state, he’d seen how upset she was. He should have taken care of his woman the way any man worthy of the name would.

“If something’s gone wrong with her, I’ll never forgive myself,” he said. “This is my fault. Every bit of it.”

Carter clapped him on the shoulder. “Stiff upper lip, old fellow.”

Derrington stared at him.

“Just trying to speak to you in your native language,” Carter said.

“Thanks.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t mean to act so out of sorts.”

“I’ve been unfair to you,” Carter said. “I naturally assumed the worst when she disappeared and then I found the two of you together.”

“Who would have imagined I’d stolen her away to try to marry her?”

“Even if I’d know that, I would have suspected you wanted her money,” Carter said. “I’m sorry. I should have known you loved her by the look on your face when she ran into my arms back at your manor house.”

“How did I look?”

“Seasick. As if a ship’s deck was tossing beneath you.”

“You did take the wind out of my sails, if that isn’t a mixed metaphor.”

Carter stuck out his hand. “Truce.”

Derrington answered with his own hand and shook. “If we find her, I’ll kiss you.”

The man laughed. “That won’t be necessary.”

The waiter approached the table. “
Guten Tag, meine Herrn
.”

“
Kaffe, bitte
,” Carter said. “
Mit Schlag. Und Sachertorte
.”

The man turned to Derrington.

“Whatever he’s having,” Derrington said.

The man smiled, but not too energetically, and went away again.

“Well, what next?” Derrington said. “We’ve been through every horticultural attraction looking for her. What other interests does she have?”

“Besides irritating her family?” Carter tapped his lips in thought.

“Does she attend church?”

“Only as much as absolutely necessary.”

“So she wouldn’t seek out a pastor of some sort?” Derrington said.

“Not my Juliet.”

“Opera?” Derrington asked.

“Not if she can avoid it.”

“Horse shows, art galleries, literary soirees?”

“Can you honestly picture our Juliet pouring tea and discussing literature?” Carter asked.

“I can’t help it. I’m desperate.” Derrington slapped his hand on the table, rattling the china. “Shopping! All women shop.”

“That might work,” Carter said. “She’ll need looser clothes soon.”

The waiter arrived with their coffee and cake. For some reason, a dollop of whipped cream sat on top of his cup. He sipped at it and got some froth on his upper lip for his efforts.

Carter tried his own and savored it for a moment. “Where shall we start?”

“Not hat shops. She has an aversion to them for some reason.”

“Maybe unmentionables,” Carter said.

“Do they have shops for those?”

“They must.”

“We can ask where fashionable ladies go to spend money and search door to door until we find someone who’s seen them.”

“No one could miss a woman of her stature who’s starting to swell with child,” Carter said.

“Nor a tall American with hair as red as Miss Rhodes’.”

Derrington glanced toward a nearby table to find a distinguished balding gentleman eyeing them with some curiosity.

“I beg your pardon,” the man said in a clipped Germanic accent. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Are you two looking for a pair of American women?”

Carter’s expression picked up. “We are.”

“And I gather they’re both rather tall?” the man said. “One redheaded and the other brunette?”

“Yes.” Derrington almost shot out of his chair. “Please, have you seen them?”

“I was called to a hotel,” the man said. “I’m a doctor, you see.”

Oh Lord, no. This time Derrington did try to get up, but Carter put a hand on his arm.

“Was there anything wrong with Miss Foster or Miss Rhodes?”

“Miss?” The man’s brow went up. “She’s going to have a baby.”

“Of course, she is. My baby,” Derrington nearly shouted. “And I’ll ask you to keep your opinions to yourself.”

“Never mind my friend,” Carter said. “He’s just worried.”

“No need. The mother and child are in fine shape,” the doctor said.

Derrington melted with relief, his shoulders going back to their normal position. “Can you tell us where they are?”

“Of course.” The doctor reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen and paper. “I’ll write down the address for you.”

“You’re going to have to tell him.”

“I know.” Juliet put her hand over her belly, almost imagining she could feel the life growing there. “So much for my grand adventure.”

“You’ve had more adventure than most women do,” Millie said. “You’re embarking on the grandest one of all.”

Ever since she’d faced the reality of what her body had been trying to tell her, her spirit had grown calm. She should have known this would happen. She should have recognized the signs. It had taken a few days away from Derrington and the chaos he had wrought on her mind—not to mention her body—to gather her wits. Once the reason for her emotional swings became clear, they had ceased and were replaced by quiet joy. She’d have a baby soon. Her own child to love and cherish. What a miracle.

Millie sipped her tea, and Juliet took nibbles of the chutney the hotel had found heaven knew where for her. They’d sent around a doctor for her, too, and he’d confirmed what she’d suspected. She didn’t need a cure, just a nursery.

“Imagine me with a child,” she said.

“I imagine both you and Lord Derrington with a child.”

“Yes, I suppose.”

Millie set her cup in its saucer with an audible clack of china against china. “No suppose about it. You could be carrying his heir.”

“Or a daughter I can take back to New York with me.”

Millie brought her hand down on the table with enough force to make the dishes clatter. “Absolutely not. You’ll tell him about the baby. He’ll propose again. And you’ll marry him.”

“Oh, fine. Then I’ve trapped him into marriage.”

“Stop it. This instant.”

Juliet stared at Millie. She’d never seen her angry before. Nothing ever ruffled Millie’s sweet disposition. But it appeared Juliet had finally managed. Millie’s blue eyes shot sparks, and even her hair looked redder than usual.

“You’ve put that poor man through hell,” Millie said.

“He’s given as good as he got.”

“Oh, really? When did he ever run out on you?”

“Oh, well, never.”

“And how would you have felt if he had?”

“Oh dear.” Her stomach sank. Why had she never thought of that? From the very beginning, she’d relied on his irrational desire to marry her. If he’d suddenly changed his mind and left her behind, it would have crushed her.

“You see now, I hope,” Millie said.

“It would have broken my heart.”

“You should have seen him watching as we left.”

“He did?”

“He was at a window,” Millie said. “He looked as if he’d lost his last friend in the world.”

“All right, all right.” She rose and went to the fireplace. “Don’t overplay your hand.”

“It’s time to grow up, Juliet,” Millie said.

She put her elbow on the mantel and her head in her hand. “I know.”

“You’ve never had anyone to depend on besides Mr. Carter and me, but no one’s ever depended on you, either.”

She straightened and placed both her hands over her belly. “I’ll take good care of this child. I swear.”

“Not just the baby, but its father, too,” Millie said. “He really loves you, Juliet, and he’ll love your child, too.”

“Yes, he probably will, and Lady Derrington will, too.”

“Then, you know I’m right.”

“Yes.”

Millie threw her hands up in the air. “Glory Hallelujah!

She went to the table and sat down again. “I’ve been such an ass.”

“I can’t completely disagree there.”

Juliet lifted a brow. “You could try.”

“So, shall we go back to England?”

“Do you think he even wants to look at me after everything I’ve done?”

Millie put her hand on Juliet’s. “I’m sure he does. He enjoys your antics as much as he loves you.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. “I guess I’ll find out.”

A knock came on the door. Or more like a pounding. “Juliet, I know you’re in there. Open this door.”

David! “Oh, my God. How did he find us?”

“I don’t care. I’m letting him in.”

“No, I’m not ready.”

The banging continued. “Now, Juliet!”

“Coming.” Millie rose.

Juliet just managed to catch her hand. “I can’t see him now. I need to prepare, think of what to say.”

The pounding got louder, as if he’d force the door from its hinges.

“Let us in, love.” Jack this time. “Before he damages something.”

Millie pulled her hand from Juliet’s grip, went to the door, and yanked it open.

Derrington barged past Millie, nearly knocking her down. Juliet only caught a glimpse of Jack before Millie scurried out and pulled the door behind her, leaving Juliet alone with a tower of male rage.

“I’m going to ask you two questions, and I expect honest answers.” He raised a hand and pointed his finger at her. “And then, I don’t want to hear another word out of you.”

Good thing she was sitting down, because her knees would have buckled. He was terrifying, and he was beautiful, and the sheer joy of seeing him again would have knocked her over.

“Are you or are you not going to have my child?” he said.

“I am.”

“Did you know that when you left me?”

“No.”

That stopped his tirade. He seemed to reel backward for just a moment before an expression of joy and awe entered his eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, until tears of happiness threatened and even he became a bit misty.

“Very well,” he said. “You will return to England with me, and you will become my wife.”

“David—”

He waved the finger again. “Not a word, or I’ll paddle you again, and this time you won’t like it.”

“All right.”

“Now then, you’ll become my marchioness, and you’ll behave like one. You may devil me all you want in private, but in public, you’ll act the perfect lady.”

“I don’t think I know how.”

He walked to the table and pounded the top with his pointing finger. “You can do anything you want, and you’ll damned well do this.”

She leaned back in her chair and gaped at him.

He straightened again. “I won’t hear any more nonsense about speaking foreign languages and hat shops. Especially hat shops. If you want to spout gibberish to me, you’ll provide a translation so I can understand what the hell you’re talking about.”

“All right.”

“Louder,” he said. “I can’t hear you.”

“All right!”

“And I especially won’t tolerate any more lunacy about me taking a mistress. Ever!” He began pacing up and down. Up and down. Marching across the carpet this way and that. “God’s blood, what do I have to do to prove myself to you? Open a vein?”

He stopped in front of her and held out his hands to wave his wrists under her nose. “Fine. I’ll do it. Tell me which one.”

“I don’t want anything like that.”

“Then, what do I have to do to get you to marry me?”

“Ask me again,” she answered. “Nicely.”

That took all the steam out of his fury, and he stood mute for a long moment. “Do you mean it?”

“Ask me and see.”

He straightened his jacket, tugging at the hem. “Miss Foster, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Yes, Lord Derrington, I will.”

“Oh, Juliet.” He wavered for a heartbeat before falling to his knees in front of her. She bent to catch his shoulders as his arms went around her ribs.

“It’s been hell,” he whispered. “Pure hell.”

She stroked his hair and kissed his temple. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Please tell me you’re not toying with me and you’ll never leave me again.”

“Never, my darling.”

He pulled back. “And the baby?”

“The doctor says everything’s fine. I’m as healthy as a horse.”

He pressed his palm against her, over her womb. “I never realized what this would mean. I only thought about having an heir.”

“It could be a girl.”

“A little girl.” His face lit up. “She’d look just like you.”

“If it’s a daughter, we’ll keep trying until we get you a son.”

He rose up on his knees and took her face between his hands. “I do love you so.”

“And I you. Always.” She leaned into him and put her lips to his.

After all their kisses, he tasted like home—her welcome. The place where she belonged at the end of the day. Sighing, she leaned into him for more. And then, more and more. His lips moved against hers, and he cupped the back of her head to pull her even closer. Heat spiraled around them, the familiar lazy warmth that clouded her brain and readied her for the inevitable surrender. Her body to his. Her heart beating against his chest. Her soul joining his at the moment of perfection.

He pressed his mouth against her temple and moaned his pleasure into her ear. “How I’ve missed this.”

“It hasn’t been so long, really.”

“Forever.” Another tiny kiss to her jaw. “An eternity.”

“It does seem so, doesn’t it?” The moment she heard her own voice speak those words, the truth behind them hit her. Baby or no, she couldn’t have stayed away from this man. Without him, the most colorful sunset would seem only shades of gray. Music would lose its magic. The sweetest berries would taste like dust.

“I didn’t know where you were,” he said as he nibbled at her jaw and then dipped beneath to her neck. “What if I couldn’t find you?”

“I would have come back. I swear it.”

“Never leave me again.”

“I couldn’t.”

His mouth descended to the base of her throat and stopped at the modest neckline of her dress. He reached to the top button and then froze. “What am I doing?”

She took his face between her hands. “Undressing me, I hope.”

“Is it safe?” he said. “The baby…”

“It had better be safe. I don’t plan to abstain for the next seven months.”

“I don’t want to hurt you or our child.”

She brushed hair from his eyes and over his forehead. “You couldn’t if you tried.”

He got to his feet and then bent to scoop her up. Before she knew it, he held her cradled against his chest.

“I’m heavy, you silly man,” she said.

“Light as a feather. Which way to your bed?”

She pointed. Laughing, he crossed the threshold into her bedroom and kicked the door closed behind him. Late afternoon sunlight spilled at an angle through the window, landing on the dusty rose carpet and bedclothes to create a warm glow. She’d entered this room at this time of day several times now and had never noticed the illusion before. Nor had she heard how the song of birds came loud enough to penetrate the glass windowpane. He seemed as oblivious to all the beauty around them as she had been, as he hadn’t moved his gaze from her face the whole time he’d carried her in here. He kept staring at her and smiling as he set her feet onto the floor and started in on the buttons of her dress. He took his time, stretching out the moment. She wouldn’t hurry him but savored the anticipation. When he had them open, he bunched the dress in his fists and let her help him lift it off her. That done, he pushed her petticoats over her hips to the floor.

“No corset,” he said. “Good. I don’t want one of those things cramping my child.”

“I’ll lose my girlish figure.”

“You’ll be even more beautiful than you are now.” From there, he removed each bit of small clothes—one scrap of fabric at a time—and covered her now bare skin with kisses. At her shoulder, over her collarbone, to the tops of her breasts. Now, he kneeled to slip her shoes off her feet and strip down her stockings. After he helped her out of her drawers, he pulled her to him and covered her belly with tiny caresses.

“The baby doesn’t know you’re there,” she said.

“Of course, he does. Or, she does.”

“Preposterous man.”

“I plan to dote on both of you, starting right now.”

“Would you mind doting on my pussy for a while? It’s missed you.”

“Wicked woman. My marchioness would never talk like that.” He grinned up at her. “Except in my bed.”

“We’ll have to use my bed right now.”

“That we will.” He rose and picked her up again. “God’s blood, you’re beautiful.”

“I can walk, you know.”

“Later.” He lowered her onto the bed. It felt like floating as he settled her against the covers. Then, he stripped out of his own clothing. She’d watched him do that many times now, but she never got used to the grace of his movements or the marvels of his naked body. Broad shoulders, smooth chest, finely muscled legs. Of course, that one particular part of his anatomy captured her real interest. It was just as beautiful as she remembered and every bit as big.

She slid over to make room for him beside her. Stretching out on his side, he propped himself up on an elbow and gazed down at her. He stroked her face with the backs of his fingers and then trailed them over her neck to her shoulder and chest.

“Your breasts seem fuller now,” he said.

“They are, and more sensitive.”

“Let’s see.” He cupped one gently and brushed his thumb over the nipple.

She tensed with the shock of so much unexpected pleasure, her back arching. “Oh, yes. So good.”

“I love the way you respond.”

“Oh, David!”

He reached to the other breast and squeezed it gently. This time, she whimpered and closed her eyes.

“Your body’s ripening,” he said. “I can’t wait to watch our child grow inside you.”

She sighed. “I’ll get as big as a house.”

“You’ll still be the loveliest woman in creation.”

“Liar.”

“Shhh.” He stretched out next to her and slid his hand lower. His palm settled on her belly and stayed there. Such a sweet gesture. Then, it wandered lower into the thatch of curls that covered her sex.

She lay back, eyes closed, and waited for his touch at her most sensitive spot. When he grazed it, a cry tore from her throat. Just that light contact made her tingle and burn—needing him.

“Do you know how much I’ve missed this?” he asked.

“Tell me.”

“I’d rather show you.” He took her hand and placed it on his cock. Erect before, now it felt as hard as steel beneath taut skin. She stroked him, feeling the pulse of blood in the vein along the underside. He held himself absolutely still as she explored his sex. The firm shaft, the ridge around the head, the dimple at the end.

That day in the gazebo, he’d taught her about a particular spot on his cock that excited him the most. Probing with her fingertip, she searched for it.