Authors: Alicia Quigley
Plans for a Ride
Louisa Manning
lounged idly in her sitting room, an unattended novel in her lap. From her spot
on the settee she could view herself in the gilded mirror opposite, and she
found the sight entirely pleasing. A cherry-striped dress admirably set off her
dark eyes and hair, and the pink shades on the windows gave her skin a girlish
glow. She reached up one hand to minutely adjust a delicate raven curl, and
then lapsed back against the velvet settee. She was bored. She could not expect
Adam to visit her this morning, as she knew he must be exhausted from the night
before, and he had returned home to confront his wife. Visitors were
infrequent, as the haut ton did not call on Lady Manning, and her less
particular acquaintances knew better than to visit when Adam might be present.
She could not go shopping, as she had disastrously over-spent her allowance at
the gaming table some evenings before, and while Adam was generous, she did not
want to tax his patience just now, when her plans seemed about to come to
fruition.
Her lips curled into
a smile at the thought. Just when it had seemed to her that all had failed, a
few well-placed words in the little duchess' ear had managed to turn everything
around. What a naive fool the girl was, to believe her husband's mistress. And
how easy it had been to convince Adam of his wife's duplicity. It was evident
to Louisa that they must be fond of each other, and yet insecure in the other's
affection, or else they would not have been so easily upset with one another.
It was a weakness she would be only too glad to exploit.
Although she found it
mildly distressing that Adam's affections had been so lightly transferred from
her to his wife, she had to admit that her rival was very lovely, and her
constant presence had probably made an impression on Adam. Well, Adam could love
anyone he wished, she reflected, just as soon as she was safely the Duchess of
Gravesmere. She had every intention of being a good wife to Adam, but who
wanted a husband about all the time? It made it very difficult to enjoy
oneself.
Her reflections were interrupted
by the entry of a footman. "Lord Gresham," he announced, and Lady
Manning looked up with a start. It was indeed that gentleman, and he entered
the room as though he owned it, a mocking smile on his face as he bowed over
the hand she reluctantly extended.
'Good morning,
Louisa. How dashing you look today. Were you expecting company?"
Louisa shot him an
angry glance and waited for the footman to leave the room. As soon as the door
closed she snatched her hand away with a snort.
"What are you
doing here, Tristan? I thought I told you that you are unwelcome."
"I am?"
Tristan's eyebrows shot up. "Somehow I didn't get that impression during
my last visit. You seemed quite...enthusiastic at the time."
"You're
despicable," snapped Louisa. "What do you want now? Speak your piece
and then get out."
Tristan sighed and
seated himself in a chair across from her. "You really should try to curb
your temper, Louisa. Or does Gravesmere like being abused? I hadn't suspected
it of him, but anything is possible."
"My relations
with Adam are none of your business."
Tristan shrugged.
"What you do with the duke is of no concern to me. But your other plans,
Louisa, those involving his wife, matter to me very much. Tell me, what did you
say to her last night?"
Louisa flushed
slightly and a triumphant glint appeared in her eyes. She shook her head.
"What makes you think I said anything at all to her?"
"It seems fairly
obvious to me, my dear, because I'm neither obtuse not blinded by my passions,
as Gravesmere and his wife are. Now, will you tell me what you said or must I
force it out of you?"
Louisa shrugged.
"I simply told her that Adam had shared his opinion of her performance in
bed with me, and felt it lacked my sophistication. The stupid girl thought she
could send me packing by informing me that she'd slept with her husband."
She laughed harshly, her annoyance obvious. "As though I would be driven
away that easily."
"So they did
achieve some sort of rapprochement while they were in the country. I had
suspected as much, for Allegra was quite distraught last night. It must rankle,
Louisa, that your hold over Gravesmere was so tenuous."
Louisa waved one hand
dismissively. "They became quite sickeningly fond of each other, if I'm
not mistaken. But that's nothing that can't be overcome, and indeed it makes
them easier to tear apart. People in love can be so blind. And so
jealous."
"Which is why
love is an emotion you've never indulged in, I suppose."
Louisa looked
surprised. "I can't afford to love anyone. I have to take care of myself.
And I doubt you've ever felt any particularly strong emotions towards anyone.
Unless you've suddenly become foolish over the little duchess. What a pity
she's no longer a virgin, Tristan. I know you were so looking forward to
deflowering her."
Tristan's expression
darkened. "Experienced women have their charms as well, as you very well
know, Louisa."
"Some men like
simpering innocents. I had never thought you were one of them, but perhaps
you've changed." Louisa sneered delicately. "You see, Tristan, I can
manage quite well for myself. Adam is furious with his wife and she's ripe for
any mischief now, I'd guess. It won't be difficult to deal the death blow to
that marriage."
Tristan saluted her
mockingly. "I congratulate you. But you will never be Duchess of
Gravesmere until the current holder of that title is divorced from her husband.
Annoyance is not legal cause to dissolve a marriage."
"It won't be
long before she'll be provoked into doing something improper. Did you know that
Adam found her in the arms of another man besides you last night,
Tristan?" Louisa cast him a sly glance from under her long lashes.
"Sir John Bathby was the recipient of her attentions as well. I have no
need of you after all. It seems another man will serve my purpose just as well
as you."
Tristan shook his
head. "You have no understanding of human nature, Louisa. Allegra would no
more betray her husband with Bathby than she will willingly leave the field
open to you. She was very angry and sought to teach her husband a lesson,
perhaps going further than she should. But she has far too much integrity to
tumble into bed with the first man she encounters. Of course, that's something
you probably wouldn't understand."
Louisa's eyes
narrowed. "Insulting me will do you no good, Tristan. I imagine you're
here because you think your plans are jeopardized and you need my help. But
since you've threatened me, I see no reason why I should aid you."
Tristan laughed and
snapped his fingers. "That for your help, Louisa dear. I can manage very
well on my own. And despite your confidence, I'm quite certain that Allegra
won't betray her husband unless she is carefully lured into it. She has a great
deal of spirit, and I doubt she wishes to help you accomplish your goals. I'm
here not because you have beaten me, but because another player has entered the
game--one who threatens us both."
"What are you
talking about?" asked Louisa irritably, a crease marring her perfect
forehead. "I've always hated the way you talk in riddles, Tristan."
"You have no
imagination," mourned Tristan. "Very well, I'll be plain. I had no
need previously of your feeble attempts to ruin the Gravesmere's marriage
because I had matters very well in hand. But now I think we need to join
forces. Lady Eskmaine has taken an interest in the matter, and it seems she
will prove to be a formidable opponent."
Louisa stared at him
as though he had suddenly gone mad. "Lady Eskmaine? Adam's sister? What
does she have to do with this?"
"I see that you
have never met the lady in question. If you had, you would know exactly what
I'm talking about. Lady Eskmaine is determined to preserve her brother's
marriage, and since she is clearly both a managing and intelligent woman, I
doubt she has met with many defeats. I suggest you take her seriously."
Louisa snorted.
"Have you gone soft in the head, Tristan? Lady Eskmaine may be a busybody,
but she has no control over Adam's actions--or his wife's for that matter. The
trap is set and will be sprung very soon. There is nothing she can do about it."
"On the
contrary, Lady Eskmaine is no mere busybody, and I’m certain she has any number
of excellent ideas about how to disarm your little trap. Listen to me
carefully, Louisa. She's dangerous and could easily overset all of our plans. I
suggest we begin to work together rather than at cross-purposes."
Louisa dropped her
eyes. While she saw no reason for Tristan's fear of Lady Eskmaine, this was the
opportunity she had been seeking. "Why should I work with you? You have
told me quite clearly that you mean to have your revenge on me as well as
Adam."
Tristan smiled at her
unpleasantly. "If you help me to help you--in other words, if we work
together to get Allegra into my bed--then perhaps, just perhaps, I'll let you
have your Gravesmere. Seeing the two of you stuck with each other for the rest
of your lives would provide me with a certain degree of amusement. What do you
think, Louisa?"
Louisa stood and
walked to the window, staring out unseeingly into the London street. She must
be very careful, she knew. She’d shared Tristan’s bed long enough to know he
was a dangerous man who couldn't be trusted. "That's not much
reassurance," she said slowly. "I would like more of a promise than
that."
"I'm sure you
would. But that's the best I can do. Your betrayal of me still rankles, Louisa.
However, if you are very helpful, and very good to me, perhaps we can work
something out. After all, having the Duchess of Gravesmere as my very good
friend in the future might be quite useful. And entertaining."
Louisa shivered,
whether from fear or excitement she wasn't sure. She longed to throw his offer
back in his face, to tell him that she despised him, but he was too real of a
threat to her. He knew all the sordid details of her past and was quite capable
of destroying her. Putting up with his attentions after she was a Duchess
wouldn't be so dreadful. After all, he was an inventive lover who knew from
long experience just exactly what pleased her. Still, it wouldn't do to give in
too easily.
"Let me think
about it for a day or two," she murmured.
Tristan stood and
crossed the room, coming up behind her quite suddenly. His strong fingers
curled around her shoulders, squeezing tightly. "You'll answer me now. I
don't give second chances."
Louisa felt a tremor
shoot through her at his touch and she remembered with a pang their encounter
the week before. Adam, for all his prowess, was never quite rough enough for
her. She leaned back against him, her curls tickling her chin. She heard him
laugh deep in his throat. Suddenly she stood upright, her body tightening in
shock.
"Good lord, it's
Adam," she snapped, looking down in horror to the street where the Duke of
Gravesmere was alighting from his carriage, tossing the reins to the waiting
groom. "Tristan, you have to get out of here right away. He can't see
you." She turned and bustled her guest towards the door, her heart
pounding.
Tristan dug in his
heels and stood in the center of the room, one eyebrow raised. "And why
not? We're both fully clothed this time."
Louisa stamped her foot.
"Don't you think he might be just a bit suspicious if he found you here?
It's hardly likely you would be visiting both his wife and mistress in the same
day, is it? And how would I explain your presence? Should I tell him I used to
be your lover?"
"It would be
amusing if you did." Tristan watched as Louisa flushed in anger and tried
again to push him towards the door again. "Oh very well, I'll leave. But
I'll be back to discuss this with you."
"Thank
heavens." Louisa flung open the door to the sitting room, but then hastily
pulled it shut again as the sound of footsteps on the stairs floated up to her.
She gave Tristan a panic-stricken look.
"It's too late.
He's already inside. What shall we do?"
"I suppose I'll
have to hide," said Tristan wearily. "It's not as though I don't have
practice concealing myself from jealous husbands. Not that Gravesmere is your
husband." He moved back to the window where heavy pink velvet curtains
hung, their edges lavishly trimmed in gold. "This will do very well. I
have to admit I'll find this amusing. I'm looking forward to witnessing the
finesse with which you handle Gravesmere."
"Damn you!"
Louisa pushed him behind the curtain and arranged the folds with hasty fingers.
"Don't move. Don't even breathe."
She heard a malevolent
chuckle from behind the curtain as the door opened and Adam entered. Louisa
took a deep breath, attempting to still the hammering of her heart. She
arranged a welcoming smile on her face and stepped forward, holding out her
hands prettily.
"Adam! How
delightful to see you. I didn't expect you today. I thought perhaps you'd have
other matters to attend to."
Adam took her hands
in his and kissed her absently on the cheek, avoiding her lips when she tried
to turn her face towards his. He immediately began to regret the impulse that
had sent him to Louisa's house after his quarrel with Allegra. He had wanted to
show his wife that he could do just as well without her, but she had no idea
where he had gone, and now he had to face Louisa, a woman he was increasingly
begin to realize was no more than commonplace. He looked at her closely, trying
again to see the qualities he had found so attractive just a few weeks before.