Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] (34 page)

He moved immediately to remove it, but Nicholas stepped in. "I must protest," he said lightly. "If you want diamonds, my heart, you must apply to me."

Therese sighed and looked sadly at the marquess. " Helas! He is so possessive..."

Lord Arden continued to remove his pin and held it out. "And are you," he asked, "possessed?"

She took the pin and held it in the light so the facets flashed rainbows. "Admirable," she sighed and naked greed was obvious. She looked between the two men again. "There is one respect in which my dearest Nicky has never been surpassed." She allowed her eyes to wander the marquess's body again, to linger cloyingly on his genitals. He was astonished to feel himself blush. To feel soiled.

He flashed a look at Nicholas that was intended to convey understanding and commiseration. Perhaps it also contained appeal, for Nicholas moved forward and, with an arm around the woman's waist, pressured her on her way.

She looked back with a rueful but concupiscent shrug. When he realized she had taken his diamond with her, the marquess could only think escape had been cheap at the price.

Once in her beautiful boudoir, where mirrored walls were swathed in ivory satin and scented candles weighted the air, Therese subsided on a chaise and raised her arms.

Nicholas came at once to kiss her long and fully.

"Ah, Nicholas," she murmured as his lips played along her bare shoulder and across the naked fullness of her upper breasts. "Why do you mean so much to me?"

"How can a mere man know a woman's mind?" he said huskily as his hands slid up to cover her breasts. "I can only be grateful."

"And so you should be," she said. There was a sudden sharp pain in his groin and he jerked back. She'd pricked him with the diamond pin. He stared at her.

"Look what I have given up for you," she said, twirling it before his eyes.

He held out a hand. "You had better let me return it."

"Why?"

"You will give no service for it."

"Will I not?"

"No." He was playing a dangerous game at this point, for their relationship was a constant knife's edge of power. She would expect him, however, to be possessive.

She sighed winsomely and fixed the pin in his lapel. "There, see. I give it to you. What you do with it is for you to decide. Now," she said, untying his cravat and opening his shirt. "What service will you give for such a jewel?"

He pushed her hands away and plunged his own under her skirts, for he knew her tastes. She needed roughness. He pushed up the layers of satin, silk, and lace to reveal her familiar nakedness and the lewd designs tattooed on her inner thighs. He forced her legs wide. "How can it be service when it is my pleasure?" he said, staring at her body, hoping he looked desirous instead of disgusted.

She lounged back, lips parted, heavy lids lowered. "But you look angry. It excites me when you are angry. Is it your friend? But I was only teasing, lovely one. He is a child."

Nicholas was kneeling between her legs. "He is older than me."

"He is a child," she repeated. "That is why you objected, isn't it?"

Dangerous ground. "No," said Nicholas and began the finger play she enjoyed on her thighs.

"Yes, it is," she said with a pout.

Then Therese abruptly dropped her playful tone and wriggled off the chaise to rearrange her clothing. Another favorite trick, but one he welcomed.

"But let us wait, impatient one. Tonight it is business, not pleasure." She drew a long fingernail down his naked chest, marking him, then crossed it to make a T. "Not yet, at least. I have what you want," she said softly.

He captured her tormenting hand and carried it to his lips. "You always have what I want, my queen."

She laughed deep in her throat. "You are naughty, my darling boy. You know what I mean."

"The lists?" He looked at her and forced a smile, as if the lists were of no importance.

"Yes, Nicky, the lists." She stepped away to take a bulky packet from a drawer. "English, French, German, Austrian, Italian, even American. All the ringleaders. With proof of their involvement. You would be surprised how many people see their advantage in the return of Napoleon, in the continuance of war."

He took it and put it in his pocket, stifling a sigh of relief that threatened to choke him. Now he allowed seriousness to show. "Thank you Therese. This is the best way. And now, let me get you to safety. You are in danger."

"Do I not know it!" she said, and panic showed. It was the first time he had ever seen such emotion in her. "But still I wonder, will you truly care for me?"

"Do you not trust me, my love?" He drew her into his arms to kiss her tenderly.

She relaxed there, but then drew back a little. "My only, one, my life has not been easy, and I have learned not to trust. You are married and your wife carries your child. You have reasons to abandon me once I have done what you wish."

He rained kisses upon her neck. "Leave you? I could as well leave my heart! You know, Therese, that I have a duty to my wife. You agree with me on that. But you are my joy and my delight. You are everything to me. You are being foolish, empress of my soul." Oh, God. How much more of this could he produce?

"No I am not, Nicky," she said, moving out of his arms. "I am being terribly sensible, when all I want is to make love with you forever."

She looked at him in a frankly appraising way. "You really are the best lover I have ever known. You have the... the soul for love." Her lips parted hungrily, and he knew she was hungry for sex. She used it like a weapon, but it used her, too. One could never be sure which state reigned at any particular time, but just now, he thought, it was need that was driving her.

He couldn't.

Couldn't he leave now? He had the lists. But he knew he'd never make it out of the house against her will, and there were Eleanor and Amy to consider.

When she drifted over to him he steeled himself to continue his act for just a little longer.

"You are going to be very angry with me," she whispered in a girlish manner as she slid her hands from his shoulders down his body. Despite everything, he could feel a physical response to her skillful touch.

With the deftness of a pickpocket she slipped the envelope from his jacket and replaced it in the drawer.

He stilled a violent movement and merely raised his brows.

"Till later," she said with a secretive smile. "I have your wife here."

He stifled an extreme response and met her eyes, allowing the warmth to cool a little. He welcomed a respite from amorous pretense. "I did wonder," he said, keeping the tone casual. "I cannot imagine what you are about. It is not like you to feel petty jealousy."

"I am not jealous. How could I be? She is so ordinary, and swollen with child as well. There is a friend, too. That I did not intend." She laughed at his expression. "Do not look so severe,
cheri
. They are both quite safe and unharmed. I have given them dinner and playing cards so they may amuse themselves."

Nicholas took a few steps backward and forward, absorbing relief, for she had no reason to lie, and desperately trying to work out what was expected of him in this situation. Therese would expect him to be put out by her action. He was sure of that.

"I cannot approve," he said sternly. "Eleanor should not be upset in her condition. What are you doing?"

She looked at him with large, tragic eyes. He marveled at her ability to flit from emotion to emotion, all in apparent sincerity. "I am not sure of you, Nicky," she protested. "You tired of me once. I must know you care more for me than for her."

"And how do you propose I prove that to your satisfaction? Is it not enough that I have spent every possible moment with you for months?"

Her lips quivered and she pressed an elegant hand over them. "I am unreasonable, but are not all women so? You are asking me to take a great risk, Nicky, all for love of you. You are asking me to abandon all my friends, my means of livelihood... I am afraid. If you abandon me again, I could not bear it. I will surely die."

Her acting was so powerful he began to feel guilty.

She came to cling to him and her musky perfume swept over him like a wave. The pungent, erotic smell of her sickened him, and it was as much as he could do not to thrust her away.

"If I see you tell your wife it is I you love," she said tearfully. "If I see you tell her you will be leaving with me forever. If I see you destroy any remnant of kindness she still might hold for you, then perhaps I can believe."

He felt a strong urge to hit her. What insane game was this? With difficulty he kept his tone moderate. "I consider this unreasonable, Therese. What happens if I do not?"

"Then the plot goes forward," she said bleakly. "If I have not you, I have no alternative. And," she added sadly, "you and your wife will have to die. Her little friend also, I suppose."

He could feel his heartbeats. "And if I agree to your whims they will go free?"

"Of course." She caressed his face. "Am I a vicious woman, Nicky? You know I hate violence. If the plot is exposed and we are gone there is no danger from them. Once I know she hates you I will fear no threat from your wife and child. I will own you forever."

Her words chilled him. God help him if she demanded he make love to her tonight. Not even all her amorous skills could achieve it.

"Do not be angry with me, my darling."

He took a risk and pushed her away. He walked to the fireplace, stealing time to think. He could overpower her and take the papers, though she was supple as a snake and always kept a small knife on her body. What would that achieve? One of her guards was always stationed outside the boudoir door, and Eleanor would still be in their hands.

He could take her hostage, but that would be less easy. It would also put an end to their supposed grand passion. Any slip from there would see them all dead.

No, the only safe course was to comply with her mad plans. Which meant, of course, that Eleanor would be hurt again and any chance of happiness for them would be diminished. Still, he believed he could make it up to his wife once he had a chance to explain. Just a few hours more.

He turned around, making no attempt to pretend fondness. He just hoped she wouldn't touch him. "Tell me again what you wish me to do."

"Go to her. Tell her it is I you love." She came closer, a picture of womanly gentleness. She was an amazing actress. "It is kinder so anyway. Then she will make a new life with someone else. We can stage your death, you see, and she will be a rich widow. But first you must cut her free of you, for I know how you affect women. Do not think such a plain, boring woman is immune. They are the worst, but even they have their pride, tell her you are to go with me and will not return. Be angry with her, then she will be angry in return."

As if the idea had suddenly come into her mind, she clapped her hands. "Pretend you believe she came to me of her own free will, abusing me for having won your affections. Show disgust for her behavior. She will hate you and be free. Then I will know you love me and only me."

He allowed some of his true feelings to show. "If anything could kill my love for you, Therese, it would be this insanity. I adore you, but I respect my wife."

Her eyes suddenly lit with fire. "So. You do not respect me!"

Bleak amusement filled him. "Not in the same way, Therese, no."

"You do not love me!" she shrieked and hurled a china figurine, which crashed into the wall by his head.

Hell, he'd gone too far. He steeled himself for one last effort. He swept her into a crushing embrace. "I wish to God I did not!" he groaned. "But Therese, you are asking me to behave dishonorably. No woman should do that."

"What do I care for honor!" she cried. "I am willing to sacrifice all for you. Can you not do such a little thing for me?"

He sighed his acceptance and kissed her. "And afterward she will go home safe?"

She was all sweet compliance again. She kissed his hands in tender reverence. "I give you my word, my golden child."

She could well call him so. She was in command here and they both knew it.

"Very well," he said. "Take me to her."

She led him up the back stairs to a locked door, in front of which stood a man with a pistol. "She is in here. By the way," she said as if it were of no consequence, "there is a spy hole. I will see and hear all."

He watched her go. Anger burned fiercely inside him but he could control it. He always controlled things. Or so he had thought.

"Open the door," he curtly ordered the guard, longing to smash his fist into his face. He walked into the room.

Amy! My God, did he have to put on this performance in front of her?

The two women leaped up with cries of joy when he came in, but he broke in quickly. "What do you mean by coming here?" he snarled at Eleanor. "And bringing Amy to such a place."

They both paled. "What do you mean?" protested Eleanor.

"I was under the opinion you were at least well-bred," he snapped. If he could prevent them speaking he might get through this. "To come charging in here, where no decent woman would ever go, creating ugly scenes with my mistress! You should not even know of such matters. If you were not breeding, I'd beat you."