Only Scandal Will Do (21 page)

And he was as stuck with her as she was with him. He could not escape either, and she had already made plans to convince him that life with her would not be all to his liking. With that tantalizing idea in mind, a good deal of her composure returned. For the first time in what seemed like days, she was able to converse normally.

“I was worried there for a minute, Kat,” Juliet said, handing her a glass of champagne. “It seemed like you didn’t know who or where you were. That’s not good when you’re standing there being married, do you think?”

Kat forced a little laugh. “I fear, I was too caught up in the moment. One is only married once, you know.”

“If one can get married once!” Juliet pouted. “I fear I am never to be married.”

“But what can you mean, my dear?” While certainly possessing an unusual personality, Juliet was quite an eligible match. “I would have thought you had men falling to their knees, proposing at every dance you attend.”

“Oh no. I have been left at the altar once and am having the worst time finding another prospective husband.” Juliet’s pique, in less than demure tones, brought her brother to her side.

“You were hardly left at the altar. The man was in France and you were in England,” Dalbury corrected her with an unsympathetic grin.

“It was still quite perturbing, Duncan. And you have done nothing so far this season to find me another husband.” Juliet glared at him as if it was his fault.

“I have been occupied with my own concerns, if you have not noticed.” He moved to take Kat’s hand.

The siblings’ banter was reminiscent of her and Jack. If only she could have such a comfortable familiarity with the man who was now her husband. Still, he might prove different than the evidence suggested. He was obviously capable of agreeable moods, pleasing manners, sharp wit. All qualities she treasured in Jack.

He was not her brother, however, but her husband. And he loved Juliet. He did not love her.

Lord Dalbury’s motives for marrying her were to put an heir in his nursery and to ease the lust that had driven him buy her, unashamedly, in a brothel. She could see it, even now, as his hot gaze swept over her. He didn’t even have the good grace to disguise it in public.

At the touch of his hand, she froze. Was this it? Was it time for the final act of this dreary tragedy? Marshalling all her inner strength, she smiled first at Dalbury, then at Juliet. But no one else in the room had left yet.

“Shall we lead the party in to dinner, Lady Dalbury?” His tone suggested he thought she might refuse.

At the reprieve, she heaved a sigh of relief. “But of course, my lord. I was not aware of all the activities, but by all means let us ‘furnish forth the marriage table’. Though I suspect it will not be with funeral meats.”

To her surprise, laughter lit up his face, changing him into a different person. “You fancy Shakespeare? That may be just as well. Our mother, as you may have guessed from our names, was enamored of the Bard. I escaped with the rather ordinary Duncan. But Juliet has had to bear the brunt of it. Everyone seems to be able to quote that one wretched line, ‘But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.’ She is quite outdone when a new swain accosts her with it, thinking he is the first to do so.”

Kat smiled in spite of herself, then asked, “If you would refresh my memory, my lord. Who was Duncan?”

He ducked his head, and looked embarrassed. “The trusting monarch killed by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. I do hope I fair better than my namesake.” He paused at the door. “My lady.” He nodded to Juliet. “And gentlemen, we have prepared a wedding feast, if you would follow us to the dining room?”

* * * *

Though Kat thought she might choke if she ate a mouthful, she found conversation with Tommy Redmond, seated at her left, a surprisingly good distraction.

“Your brother says you are finding London to your liking, Lady Dalbury.” Dressed appropriately in fresh clothes and acting sober–though his bloodshot eyes seemed to belie sobriety–the young man smiled kindly at her. He seemed to want to make amends for his earlier behavior.

“I have had little opportunity to find London at all, Mr. Redmond. But I was not aware that you knew my brother.” Kat sipped her wine and looked him over, speculating. If he was a friend of Jack’s, perhaps he was not as bad as she’d thought.

“Yes, my lady. I am a member of your brother’s club and he has taken me under his wing, so to speak, advising me on the purchase of a pair of carriage horses.” He dropped his gaze to his plate. “He told me you are an avid rider.”

“That is true, I rode nearly every day until I came to London.” Katarina glanced up to see Lord Dalbury at the far end of the table stop his conversation with Reverend Hayes and send her a quick smile. And what did that mean? She wanted to do nothing to draw smiles from her husband. Another sip of wine, and she returned her attention to her dinner partner.

“Might I request the pleasure of your company on a ride one day this week, Lady Dalbury?” Redmond asked. “If it is convenient, of course. I am sure it will take you some days to settle comfortably into your new home.”

Kat raised her glass again, even more intrigued by her husband’s friend. Had she misjudged him? “That would be a pleasant outing. Perhaps we can make it a party with Jack and my sister-in-law?”

He beamed at her as though she had offered him a fortune. “A splendid idea.” But something in his eyes, a flare of disappointment, sent a chill down her back. Her good opinion of Tommy Redmond faded with that look. Married life was going to be complicated enough without her husband’s best friend trying to get her alone for a tryst. She might have misread that fleeting glance, but her instincts said no. He obviously knew her husband and assumed she would be in need of male companionship. Best to steer clear of assignations with Mr. Redmond.

Kat returned to pushing food around her plate, then answered a question from Lord Trevor, her right-hand dinner companion. The awkwardness of the moment dissipated as the charming viscount regaled her with his youngest sister’s trials with the social season, and she found herself relaxing in spite of her circumstances.

The remainder of the dinner proved uneventful, except when she forgot she was now hostess at Dalbury’s table and had to be prompted to rise and retire with Juliet. They had just ordered tea, when the men reappeared. Though there was some little conversation before the tea was served, almost immediately afterward Reverend Hayes moved to leave. Kat thanked the clergyman for his service then turned to say farewell to Reginald, who had also risen. She extended her hand, but rather than kiss it, he held her a little away from him. “I must take my leave of you, Lady Dalbury.”

“And why am I now Lady Dalbury when I was Katarina before, Reginald?”

“Because you have married Lord Dalbury, my lady.” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “Or don’t you remember?”

She smiled at his jest, but shook her head. “I pray you call me Katarina, or just Kat. I would be honored.”

“Though I fear your husband would not.”

“Oh, damn my husband,” she said. “He cannot rule who I see or what they call me.”

“Actually, according to the law, he can.”

Just let him try. “You are my cousin. And besides, I will be Kat to my friends and I number you one of them.”

Reginald sobered and glanced around. His gaze rested briefly on Dalbury, who was in conversation with his sister, Jack and Lord Trevor, then he again took her hand. “I am honored to be considered your friend, Katarina. I pray this all comes right, that you can find happiness with the marquess. But if you need me, no matter the cause, you have promised to seek me out.”

“And I will abide by that promise.”

“Then I take my leave, my lady. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.” Matthews seemed as though he would choke on the words, but he bent, kissed her hand and was gone.

More than a little bereft, she returned to the window, though the sun had set long ago and darkness fallen like a cloak over the garden. Only the light of the new moon and the twinkling stars illuminated the topiary trees. She peered out the window, unable to make out even an outline. Darkness could hide everything but her. It had been a long day, and she was certain, was not over yet.

“I’m for home, Kat.” Jack appeared at her side, startling her out of her thoughts. He sounded cheerful, but worry had set lines around his eyes. “I thought I’d call on you tomorrow to see how...see how you...” He ground to an embarrassed halt as Lord Dalbury sauntered over to join them, arms folded over his broad chest.

“To see if she survives the night, Manning?” Dalbury’s amused tone was edged with anger. “She’s taken me on before and survived. Do you think I have other tricks to try tonight?”

“Damn it, man, just because you married her doesn’t mean you can now abuse her!” Jack clenched his fists as if he itched to connect with Dalbury’s jaw.

“Actually, that’s exactly what it does mean,” Dalbury drawled, a salacious glint in his eyes. “Oh, I grant you, husbands are not allowed to kill or maim their wives, but there is remarkably little else they are banned from.”

At his sharp but teasing tone, she relaxed. The line he had just drawn was familiar. Tonight would be a battle of wills and wits rather than force.

“Good night, Jack.” Katarina took her brother’s arm and all but shoved him to the door. “Come over tomorrow morning and we’ll ride before breakfast.”

He gazed at her, brows puckered in confusion.

“I don’t know what the house boasts for breakfast, but we can find out together.” She placed a kiss on his cheek and whispered with conviction, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” As he opened his mouth to protest, she gave him a smile then propelled him through the door, trusting to the butler to show him out.

Dalbury was the only person left in the room. She did not know when his friends or Juliet had retired, but they were now quite alone. Squaring her shoulders, she raised her chin and looked at him evenly, waiting.

Dalbury strolled leisurely across the room and took her hand. She’d expected him to lead her from the room, but he bent as if to kiss the knuckles then flipped the hand over and placed a searing kiss on her palm.

Heat surged through her, as if his lips were burning embers. Her heart raced, and she could feel every nuance of his mouth, not only on her palm, but all over her body. She closed her eyes, suppressing a shiver as the sensation took her back to the bedroom in the House of Pleasure and the wonderful, wicked feelings she had tried to forget. Instead, she schooled her face into indifferent lines and forced herself to stand still.

“Lord Dalbury?” There was a hint of sarcasm in the words spoken through smug lips.

“Lady Dalbury.” He curled her hand through his and fastened it there. Perhaps he was afraid it would be used as a weapon. “Shall we retire?”

His dark brown eyes glinted at her, daring her to protest, to make a scene, to accept. She raised her eyebrows, but rather than speak, opened the door and started through it. Dalbury guided her to the stairs and they ascended slowly, in absolute silence that mimicked the hush of a battlefield just before the muskets begin to blaze.

Chapter 19

Dalbury led Kat into a suite of rooms composed of a bedroom, dressing room, and bathing chamber. She glanced around the richly furnished room, noting bronze and rose striped walls, an elegant gilt-edged chaise in matching rose-striped silk near a cheery fireplace, and the huge canopied bed hung with thick gold damasked curtains.

“This room adjoins mine.” He gestured to a door at one end. “The dressing rooms and bathing chambers are at the far ends. I have had the rooms freshened for you, but if you would like to make changes you may do so. Simply tell Grayson what you wish and he will send for the proper workmen.” Dalbury’s tone was matter-of-fact, but seemed to hold a hint of appeasement.

She walked toward the fireplace to survey the room dispassionately, finding much she liked. Keeping her expression carefully neutral, she acknowledged, “They will do, my lord. Are my belongings here? I am very tired and would like to go to bed.” She fought to keep a quaver out of her voice at those words.

He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I believe your maid had instructions to settle you in.” He stared at her, brows drawing down. “And you want to retire now?”

Though her heart hammered, she fought to remain composed. “Yes, my lord. It has been quite a trying day, has it not?”

“Indeed.” His face relaxed, a smile stealing over it. “You are being extremely sensible about our situation, my dear. More so than I would have believed earlier. You certainly seemed ready to bolt at one point.”

“But you know me so little. I do not know why you would expect to understand me.” The arrogant lilt in his voice coupled with the lustful gleam in his eyes was almost more than she could stand.

“I really think, under the circumstances, you should call me Duncan.” He chuckled deep in his throat.

That laugh sealed his doom. Any thought of an amicable agreement between them died, as far as she was concerned. All the wretched memories of the dreadful night in March–being bound and gagged, that blackguard Nigel’s face when he’d threatened to cut her, standing on the auction block with people leering at her and Dalbury’s arrogant boast of being her master–came flooding to her at the sound of that smug chuckle. Coupled with the revelations of today, the enormity of her situation almost made her cry out. Chills raced through her, like ice water in her veins. She narrowed her eyes, jutted her chin and shook with fury.