Midnight Temptations With a Forbidden Lord (37 page)

“Charlotte,” Bea said, sternly drawing her attention away from the men she needed to have words with. “Have you heard a word I said?”

She shook her head and moved out of Bea’s reach. “My father,” she said.

Rage unlike anything she’d ever felt in all her life took hold of her. She fisted her hands at her sides and barreled toward her father and ex-fiancé.

“What did you think to accomplish?” Her voice was low and surprisingly calm.

“You don’t belong on the field of a duel,” Warren said carelessly, drawing all her focus on him.

Charlotte pointed her finger at him, stepping threateningly closer as she glared at him. “You will never tell me what to do. Your worth as a decent man was called into question with this little charade.”

Mr. Warren only cocked his brow at her and crossed his arms over his chest. “I was not the one to call out your
husband.
”

“She’s right, Adrian,” Bea hissed and came up to stand next to Charlotte. There was solidarity in numbers. “You have no honor so you could never have called a challenge to begin with. Yet here you stand as though to prove something.”

“I ought to put you in your place, Beatrice.” Warren flicked his eyes over Bea in a cold manner. “You’ve no right to talk to me as you are. There are things I know.”

“And you’ve no right to step foot on my property without a proper invitation. You can hurl as many insults my way as you wish. They no longer have the leverage they once did, because I know you. I know the
real
you. And you’d do well to hide yourself away from the truth of your vile nature, lest the world find out what sort of man you really are. Leave,” she demanded in so low a voice that even Charlotte was afraid of the wrath that might befall the man should he disobey her.

What was their past that they addressed each other familiarly? It was a question for another time, for the carriage came around and her focus returned to her husband. First, she needed to have a few words with her father.

“Your Grace,” Charlotte said, reaching for the duke’s arm. “Will you help my husband into the carriage?”

“Of course.”

“And you, Father. Was all this,” she waved her hand around the field, “for your honor? Have you been so wronged because of a decision I made?”

“You knew your place and your duty, daughter.”

“I begged for an alternative to marrying him, even a delay in the nuptials. Perhaps your pride and your grand love for politics got in the way of seeing just how much Warren disregarded me and how miserable life with him would have been for me.”

“You know nothing of how life works.”

“Oh, but I do. I loved you unconditionally as a child, Father, as any doting daughter would. No longer. You have betrayed me—your only child. You wanted to take away the one thing I cherished most in my life. I don’t think I can ever forgive you for this.”

“You’re acting like a child. You don’t know what you’re saying.” His expression seemed wounded. Did he have regrets? She hoped he did.

“You would have married me to your dear friend Mr. Warren. I hope you have found your honor, because if not, it will be me on the other end of the field for your next duel.” She pounded her fist against her heart. “And you taught me well as a child—my aim is always true.”

“You speak blasphemy to your own flesh and blood.”

With a heavy heart, she said, “My only loyalty now is to my husband and his family. You have brought this outcome onto yourself. Ask yourself, Father, what is honor without love?”

With that parting comment, she turned on her heel, grabbed up Bea’s hand, and made her way to the carriage. Tristan’s eyes were open, but he was not lucid.

“Wife,” he whispered as his eyes slipped closed once more.

She took his hand and remained quiet for the rest of the trip home.

*   *   *

Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed, tucking and retucking the sheets around her husband’s prone form. The doctor had given him something to keep him asleep while they cleaned out the wound at his side—which wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d originally thought.

She hadn’t been able to leave his side all morning. Bea had gone down to amuse the children. They’d been told that their father had taken ill and that they must let him rest for the remainder of the day.

“What am I going to do with you?”

She sighed, and took his hand in hers. He squeezed it back. Her gaze flicked up to his open eyes. “How much damage? I thought I was a dead man when my hand came away soaked with blood.”

She gave him a wry grin. “It’s good that you are awake.”

“How can I not be with a lovely angel watching over me?”

“Still charming even when injured, I see.” Though she was pleased by his good spirits. Surely that meant he was on the mend.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you the details.”

“But you didn’t escape me for long,” she said sternly.

“Do you think we can start our life now without worry of reprisal from our hasty marriage?” he asked, pushing himself up into a sitting position, cringing while he did so. She helped him, leaning forward to grab more pillows and shoving them behind his back so he was better propped up.

“Come here.” He motioned with his head toward the empty spot next to him. “Sit with me for a while.”

She scooted up the bed and sat next to him, thigh-to-thigh, hip-to-hip. She rested her head on his shoulder and let out a deep breath. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“I told you I would be fine.”

“I think my father very much wanted you dead. I’m not sure why he didn’t put the bullet right through you.”

“Because he loves you, Char.”

She snorted at that. “I’m not so sure about that at the moment.”

“I know it. How could he not? Besides, I don’t know a more lovable woman than you.”

She raised her head and stared at him. “So did we fall in love before you dueled?”

He tangled his fingers with hers. “I’m sure it was long before that.”

“But we didn’t know each other. I’m not sure we know each other very well even after all that we’ve been through.”

“Don’t be so sure of that. I know what’s in your heart.”

“I don’t know whether I should kiss you or smack you for daring to lose what we’ve built in our newfound marriage.”

“I’ll take a kiss any day.”

She smiled and pressed her forehead to his. His eyes were closed, and he hissed in a pained breath as he turned to face her.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you, my Lord Marquess,” she said tenderly.

“Pain is good every now and again. I’ll take the pain if it means I get you all to myself in the middle of the afternoon.”

“And what would Bea and the children think?”

“That I’m in love with my wife and that I have an insatiable need to spend every waking moment with her.” His hands cupped either side of her face. “And how do you feel?”

“Don’t you know?”

“I’d like to hear it from your lips before I claim them.”

“I nearly died inside as I watched you fall to your knees, bleeding into the cold ground. I thought I was too late.” The thought that he’d almost been taken from her brought a fresh deluge of tears.

“I promised you I would be all right.”

Tristan gently kissed her tears away.

“Promise me you’ll never scare me like that again? You’ve made me fall in love with you and to lose you…”

“I’ll always be here for you, Char.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.”

“Good. Because now you can kiss me.”

The touch of his mouth was soft and persuading. She sank into the feel of him, careful not to touch his injured side as he slipped his tongue into her mouth and nibbled at her lips.

“I love you, Charlotte. There was a moment on the field where my last thoughts were not only of the children but of you. I couldn’t bear losing you when I’d just found you.”

“And I love you,” she said as she kissed him again.

Also by Tiffany Clare
Wicked Nights with a Proper Lady
The Secret Desires of a Governess
The Seduction of His Wife
The Surrender of a Lady
PRAISE FOR TIFFANY CLARE
and her captivating novels …

“Tiffany Clare writes a swoon-worthy romance filled with rich details and vivid characters. Any readers wishing for a bold and sweeping historical romance need look no further—Tiffany Clare is a treasure of an author!”

—Lisa Kleypas,
New York Times
bestselling author

The Secret Desires of a Governess

“With its irrepressible heroine, deliciously dark and dangerous hero, and suitably atmospheric setting, Clare’s latest impeccably written novel cleverly references the classic gothic romances of Victoria Holt and Madeleine Brent, while at the same time incorporating plenty of the steamy passion and lush sensuality found in today’s brand of sexy historical romances.”

—Booklist

“With its brooding hero and dark backdrop Clare brings an updated gothic twist to her latest novel. By incorporating the themes and red herrings of a classic Victoria Holt or Daphne du Maurier, she entices readers to keep turning the pages to uncover the mystery and savor the highly sensual romance.”

—RT Book Reviews

“This is an entertaining throwback to the Victoria Holt legendary Gothic tales as Tiffany Clare employs all the elements from the innocent female, to the foreboding castle, to the brooding hero inside a romantic suspense thriller. Abby and Elliot are terrific lead characters while the support cast, especially his son, the villagers, and her family, make for a wonderful Victorian Gothic romance.”

—Midwest Book Review

“
The Secret Desires of a Governess
is excellent reading material for those who like their romance novel with ex-plosive love scenes and a good solid plot.”

—Fresh Fiction

“Hauntingly sensual,
The Secret Desires of a Governess
is a compelling read that will have readers hoping for more.
”

—Single Titles

The Seduction of His Wife

“In her second captivating historical romance, Clare turns up the sensual heat with a sizzling, sexy tale of a husband and wife engaged in a seductive battle of wits that proves to be splendidly entertaining.”

—
Booklist

“Steamy.”

—Publishers Weekly

“The second chapter of Clare’s trilogy is as bold and alluring as this exciting newcomer’s first book. Clare takes a ‘second chance at love’ romance, twisting the theme into a highly sensual tale of passion and suspense. But there’s also humor, created by secondary characters, and love to round out a tantalizing read.”

—
RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick)

“An arousing and amusing Victorian reverse romance!”

—
Fresh Fiction

“An exciting read that captivates the imagination and arouses the senses. Suspense, intrigue, and passion abound in this historical romance.”

—
Romance Junkies

“[
The Seduction of His
Wife
] will draw you in.… You’ll find yourself riveted.”

—Night Owl Reviews
(Top Pick)

“Tiffany Clare has penned another superb and masterfully crafted romance.
The Seduction of His Wife
has all that I love in a book: humor, suspense, sigh-inducing romance, and fan-your-face, sizzling sex scenes. Ms. Clare’s first book,
The Surrender of a Lady
,
was a bold and daring story, and her latest book is equally as entertaining. If you’ve never read a Tiffany Clare book, run to your nearest bookstore. You don’t know what you’re missing!”

—Romance Dish

The Surrender of a Lady

“A unique, unforgettable, sensual love story sweeping from the harems of the east to staid Victorian ballrooms. Watch out for this sizzling new talent to rise to the top.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Exotic, bold, and captivating. Tiffany Clare’s rich, sensual prose is delightful indulgence!”

—Alexandra Hawkins, author of
All Night with a Rogue

“Dazzling, daring, and different! Exotic and erotic!
The Surrender of a Lady
will have you turning the pages until you finish, no matter how late it gets. Tiffany Clare is a brilliant new talent in historical romance.”

—Anna Campbell, author of
Midnight’s Wild Passion