Authors: Kristin Vayden
“You’ll do no such thing. I’ve only returned home! I’ll not saddle myself down immediately! Maybe in five or ten years—”
“In five or ten years I could be dead!” His mother’s horrorstruck voice was shrill and he winced.
“Mother, I hardly think you’re in mortal danger of perishing any time soon. You’ll probably outlive me.” Hudson shook his head and headed over to the cabinet for a glass of brandy. Had he really just thought it a pleasant change to be home? He was amending that thought rapidly. No, he wasn’t after a wife, but perhaps a mistress…
“And don’t you be like your brother, either.”
Hudson glanced up from the brandy decanter and lifted a questioning eyebrow toward his mother. Oh, he knew to what she was referring, yet thankfully she was blissfully aware of his own escapades. His brother’s conquests weren’t quite as… quiet.
“Don’t act oblivious to me. I know you were much younger, but you have never lacked intelligence. Your brother ruined any chance for a good match because of the company he kept. I’ll not say anything else. Isn’t proper, but you know what I mean. Your father was so ashamed of his behavior.” She tilted her chin forward and speared him with an icy glare.
No, he had never lacked intelligence and knew about his brother’s reputation. Though young, he had admired the man’s… prowess. Even tried out his own rakish dreams and attempted to kiss Emma Kingsly at a young age. Oddly enough, she was the only rejection he could seem to remember.
Without hesitation, his lips bent upward in grin, and he felt his dimples crease as he recalled Emma Kingsly. What a day that had been! Whenever he had the chance of being around her, before he left on his travels, all he had to do was wear an arrogant expression and she’d fume! It was the most fun a boy, or man for that matter, could ask for! Emma Kingsly. He hadn’t thought about her for years. She had to be married by now, perhaps with a few children even!
Part of him wished she had said yes when he had asked to kiss her so many years ago. His intentions had been honest, and even now his heart ached ever so slightly when thinking of her. For that purpose, he had resolved long ago to forget about her berry-ripe lips and flowing golden hair. Though young, it had always been clear that she would turn into a diamond of the first water. Her attitude only added allure. Who wanted a woman who would nod her head, politely smile, and have not a clue or care of what was being said? Those types of women were fantastic for evening company, but never for longer than a few hours. No, if he was to tolerate a woman for longer than a midnight escape, he wanted a little spice. Yet another reason he refused to get married. The women of the ton were surely of the first variety, more than willing to trap a man in an unwanted marriage. If he wanted a mistress, he had better be careful.
“Hudson?” His mother’s voice broke through his thoughts.
“Yes, Mother?” He glanced up.
“You’ve been staring at that brandy glass for the past few minutes with a very peculiar expression. Are you well? Did you perhaps contract some disease in India? Oh, merciful heavens!”
“No, no, no. I assure you, I’m quite healthy. I was simply lost in my own thoughts. Tell me. Whom did Miss Emma Kingsly marry?”
“The Kingslys? You would be wise to stay away from that family, son. But I must admit, ‘tis a pity about the youngest.”
“You mean Emma?”
“Ah yes, that’s her name. This is her third or fourth season and still not married.”
“Really? I would have expected her to be married for quite some time by now! Her sister didn’t last one season without a dozen proposals.” Hudson rubbed his chin with his left hand.
“It’s almost as if she doesn’t want to be married… I’m not sure. She’s pretty enough but she seems almost… cold.”
“Emma, er, Miss Kingsly? Cold?” Hudson gave a scoff and took a satisfying taste of brandy, letting the liquid warm his throat.
“You’ll see. We’re going to the Earl of Belmonte’s residence tonight for a party. You’ll adore their daughter Regina! A beautiful girl with the most alluring blue eyes.”
“I wasn’t aware that we had plans for this evening.” Hudson swirled the remaining liquid in his glass.
“Now you are. We leave at eight o’ clock.” She strode to the door and then paused, glancing over her broad shoulder. “It is so very wonderful to have you home.” She raised an eyebrow and looked as if suppressing a grin, then left the room.
Hudson glanced to the molded ceiling and sent up a prayer for perseverance. London society as a whole was not something in which he was thrilled to partake. But as the new Earl of Daventry, it was a necessary evil. He’d arrive, dance a few sets, and then find a few other desperate men and hightail it to White’s. Brilliant plan. He tossed back the rest of his brandy and headed to his room.
****
“Are you coming or not, Emma?” Sadie, her older sister called through her bedroom door.
“I’m coming. Just one more minute.”
“That’s what you always say.” Sadie’s annoyed tone carried through the wooden paneling.
Emma couldn’t resist baiting her beloved sister. Goodness, the poor dear needed a little bit of distraction after all she’d been through. Emma stood and twisted to evaluate the tuck and fit of her blue gown. The fabric flowed perfectly over her rounded curves and accentuated her finer ‘assets’ as her mother had said. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled with small seed pearls tucked into the curls. With a nod she declared herself ready. After all, just because a lady was never getting married didn’t mean she had to look like a spinster. No, just because she didn’t want a husband didn’t mean she had to stop taking pride in her appearance.
“Emma!” This time Sadie sounded more than slightly annoyed.
“Yes?” Emma gave her sister an innocent expression as she opened the door.
“It is about time. My, you look lovely. Trying to impress someone?” Sadie’s eyebrow rose in question, though a sad and wistful expression crossed her face.
“No. I simply enjoy looking beautiful.” Emma winked and walked past her sister, squeezing her arm as she passed.
“Someday you’ll find someone who will make you forget about all your ridiculous notions—”
“Sadie… we both know that most men of the ton are just like Lord Hodge. I know it’s wrong to speak ill of the dea—”
“Please… Emma, don’t. Leave it alone.” Sadie glanced to the wooden floor and sniffed delicately.
“I’ve seen firsthand what marriage can be, Sadie,” Emma murmured hesitantly.
“But not every marriage was like mine, Emma. Some are lovely, beautiful, and full of affection.”
“Some are. You’re right. But I’ll not take the risk.” Emma offered Sadie a bright smile and tugged on her arm. “Let us be off. We’ll be far later if we spend time talking than if I were to have a full wardrobe change.”
“Oh no… No more wardrobe changes! Remember what happened last time?” Sadie groaned as she followed Emma down the hall.
“Precisely, that’s why we’re leaving now.” Emma glanced back over her shoulder to give her sister a saucy grin.
The carriage ride was short as Lord and Lady Belmontes’ residence was quite close to the Kingsly London home on Mayfair. The street lamps burned bright in the waning twilight. Emma hoped she hadn’t upset her sister, but at the same time was tired of everyone asking her when she was getting married, or even if she were interested in a gentleman. Why would she spend her time, effort, and attention on someone if in the end, she could wind up with a shattered heart?
****
Hudson entered the opulent ballroom and blinked against the bright light. Crystal vases held large bouquets of flowers that immediately began to make his nose itch. He glanced about the room for a space that didn’t have the offending ornamentations and headed towards the refreshments. As a footman handed him a glass of champagne, he heard a familiar voice call to him.
“Hudson? Actually, I believe it’s Daventry now, isn’t it? I can’t believe it’s you!”
Hudson turned around, quirking an eyebrow at the familiar voice.
Could it be?
“Hewett! Wonderful to see you! I say! How are you?” Hudson shook his old friend’s hand.
“Splendid! Married you know!” His friend puffed out his chest and grinned wildly.
“Oh, really? Who is the lucky countess?” Hudson took a sip of champagne and waited as his friend scanned the teeming masses for his wife.
“There! Come with me, I’ll give you a proper introduction.” Hewett nodded and turned around, striding purposefully towards a well-rounded brunette. Hudson couldn’t see her face, but her shoulders shook slightly as if she were laughing. Hewett had always been the sort to love humor of all types. If is wife shared that character trait, they would be a good match indeed.
“Lenore?” Hewett bowed to the other ladies in the group and turned adoring eyes to his wife.
Hudson took another sip of champagne and glanced about the room. Waiting.
“There’s an old friend whom I’d like to introduce.”
Lenore nodded, excused herself from the group and turned. The first thing Hudson noticed was her smile. It was genuine and mirrored the adoring expression that Hewett was still wearing. Had Hewett been lucky enough to find his own love match? It certainly seemed so.
“This is my old friend, Hudson Cade, the new Earl of Daventry.”
Lenore curtsied prettily and Hudson extended his hand to kiss the air above hers, as was proper.
“A pleasure, my lord. Please accept our condolences for your loss.” Lenore’s expression was full of sympathy as she placed her hand on her husband’s arm tenderly.
“Thank you. He is missed greatly,” Hudson responded, sure he would repeat the same words a few hundred times over the course of the evening. It wasn’t that he was callused, but one did grow tired of being reminded of his father’s death.
“Indeed.” Hewett nodded.
Hudson couldn’t think of a better time to change the subject. “So, how long have you two been married?”
“A year this September.” Hewett cast another adoring look at his wife.
“Congratulations.”
Hudson glanced beyond Lenore and saw a most striking woman enter the room. Her golden hair was piled delicately on her head with some sort of bead woven through. Her blue gown accentuated her curves in all the right places and Hudson’s own body began to respond to the sight.
Bloody Hell.
Aphrodite herself couldn’t have been formed more perfectly! She held her chin high, as if evaluating the room before it received her blessing. His gaze took in the men around her, all watching her movements but none making an effort to draw her attention. Her demeanor screamed, ‘look but don’t touch.’ It was an alluring challenge that called to Hudson’s competitive nature.
“Daventry?” Hewett’s voice penetrated his thoughts and he turned his attention back to his friend.
Hewett glanced behind himself and then back at Hudson. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but your time and energy will be wasted on that one.” Hewett leaned forward as if divulging some huge secret.
“Stop! Don’t say that! Miss Kingsly is one of my dearest friends! She’s simply… shy,” Lenore interjected, but her statement lacked conviction at the end.
“Shy? No. Miss Kingly is not shy. She’s simply unavailable,” Hewett corrected and gave his wife a conspiratorial grin.
Bloody Hell.
Hudson blinked a few times, resisting the urge to shake his head. Yet there it was, the slow dawning of realization as he recognized the color of hair, the proud tilt of her chin. Miss Emma Kingsly had indeed grown into a beauty, a diamond of the first water. Even now, years later, his body still reacted to her in the same way. Desire — hot and unforgiving. He forced his gaze back to Lenore, trying to focus on their conversation. Anything to alleviate the haze pulsing through him.
“Well, if I had to find my sister in such a state…” Lenore’s voice trailed off, her face turning white. “Never mind. Her family is brilliantly wealthy. There’s no need for her to marry.”
“Miss Kingsly is against marriage?” Hudson asked as his gaze found her delectable form once more, this time his eyes strayed to her hips as they swayed. He could hardly tear his gaze from her!
“She’s not against marriage. She simply is not interested in it for herself,” Lenore assured.
“I see.” Hudson spoke distractedly.
“There are few men in this room who don’t devour her with their eyes, just like you’re doing presently… but I’m warning you. You’d best look elsewhere if you’re seeking matrimony,” Hewett advised.
“Who said I was seeking matrimony?” Hudson offered his friend a cocky grin and excused himself. Lenore’s voice followed him.
“This will be worth watching…”
Hudson chuckled.
Fine, let them be his witnesses.
Perhaps Emma Kingsly — Miss Kingsly now — could be enticed… not by marriage, but by a man.
****
Emma felt the stares of the men heat her back. She’d be lying if she said that she didn’t feel a certain satisfaction in wearing her beauty, but it was simply for the day, the moment. In the end it didn’t last. Years later, it wouldn’t be enough to keep any man’s devotion. So she enjoyed it while it lasted. Someday she’d be a spinster without the attention and she’d be content to know she had already had her moment in the light.
She turned to the left, avoiding a large cloying bouquet. Already her nose was twitching! Why was everyone in the ton obsessed with flowers this season? Why couldn’t they simply let them live in the garden, away from her cursed nose? At least outside, the air dispelled the scent enough to relieve her from the constant twitching of her nose, but inside. Oh dear. She hoped she wouldn’t sneeze.
A glass of champagne was offered to her and she took it readily, inhaling deeply as she took a small sip. The new scent alleviated the tickling in her nose and she expelled a sigh of relief. Her gaze drifted about the room as she waited for something interesting to snag her attention. A tall and broad-shouldered gentleman winked at her from across the dance floor. Her brow furrowed and she glanced away. After a moment she glanced back at the man. His wicked grin seemed to widen, revealing white teeth against darkly tanned skin. She offered a tight smile in return, then spun on her heel and walked away.