Regency Rakes 02 - Rescued By A Viscount (10 page)

“Lord Belmont, I declare my evening is now complete. Mother, shame on you for monopolizing the most handsome man in the room.” Lavinia Blake pushed in front of her mother to give Mathew a suggestive smile followed by a little giggle that made her exposed breasts wiggle. She was the nastiest of the three Blake sisters, probably as she was the oldest and had sharpened her claws longer than the other two. She gave Claire’s gown a dismissive glance, then returned her gaze to Mathew. Her eyes narrowed as she calculated how best to capture his attention. “I have heard there may be dancing later, my lord. I hope you will partner me at least once, if not twice.”

In the normal course of an evening, Claire would simply dismiss Lavinia Blake’s forward behavior. She would usually just shrug and offer the girl a platitude, then move on to someone who did not annoy her quite as much. However since her brother had informed her they would not be going to Liverpool for Anthony’s child, she had been seething with unsuppressed rage. Unfortunately for the foolish girl, Claire needed an outlet for some of that anger, and she was about to be the recipient.

“But surely to dance twice would cause speculation for a debutante, Miss Blake.” Claire smiled but not sweetly. “A lady such as you, barely out in society, should not risk censure from those of us who are more experienced.” Leaning forward in what appeared to be a friendly manner, she then tapped the girl’s hand, and she was fairly sure her eyes shot flames as Lavinia Blake stepped back onto her mother’s foot. “Furthermore, Miss Blake, the man should always do the soliciting, and it is remiss of your mother not to point this out to you.” She then nodded into the stunned faces of the Blake women before turning to her brother. “Mathew, I need you to accompany me now, if you please. There is a matter I wish to discuss with Lord Kelkirk, and I think it will be of interest to you.”

Claire felt her brother’s eyes rest briefly on her face as she finished speaking, and then he bowed to the Blake ladies. “Excuse me, ladies. My sister needs me.”

They walked in silence through the throng until the Blake women were out of sight. Only then did Claire stop.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t pretend not to understand what Mathew was thanking her for.

“I have no wish to share a dinner table with that woman ever in my life. Therefore what I did was as much for my benefit as yours. Good evening, my lord,” she then added, and, turning her back on him, she walked away without a backward glance.

“Belmont, come and join us. Major Brantley is giving a detailed and riveting accounting of his daughter’s latest equestrian achievements.”

Simon had noticed Claire’s brother standing very still, watching his sister walk away from him. His stance upright, his fists clenched, Mathew Belmont looked angry as he followed Claire with his eyes, and Simon wondered what she had said to make him feel that way. When he had visited them only a few days ago, Claire and her brother had seemed comfortable with each other, so he was all the more intrigued as to what had produced that reaction in the man.

“Lord Kelkirk.” Belmont gave him and the others in his small group an elegant bow.

The major started into another long and detailed monologue of his daughter’s exploits, which involved a lot of gesturing and horse terms.

“If you smile and nod at intervals, he doesn’t notice you’re not listening,” Simon whispered to Mathew. “I am almost looking forward to the music starting just to shut him up.”

Lord Belmont blew out a short breath, then nodded. “He’s certainly an old windbag, yet harmless enough, I’m sure.”

“You actually have more reasons than he to brag, Belmont. Your sister is the superior rider.” Simon watched Mathew look down at his hands before answering.

“Yes, she has an excellent seat.”

His voice held no inflection. Simon didn’t know him that well, but he knew when a man was in the grip of some deep emotion, and Belmont was displaying all the signs of trying not to show it, especially as he had failed to meet Simon’s eyes.

“I can’t imagine she can have been easy to control growing up. She has definitely held me to task a time or two,” Simon said, deciding to prod him a bit for a response.

Mathew looked at him then, and Simon saw that mixed with the anger was sadness. His eyes were green, unlike his sister’s, yet in the face, he saw Claire. They shared high cheekbones and long lashes, and perhaps there was something around the mouth. “To my lasting regret, I did not have much to do with my sister growing up, Lord Kelkirk.”

“I believe there is quite an age gap.”

“Six years.”

The silence that stretched between them then was not uncomfortable, as Belmont was lost in his thoughts and seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

“We are being called to our seats, Belmont,” Simon said finally, gently drawing the man back to the present.

“Of course. Please excuse me.”

What the hell had that been about? he wondered as Mathew Belmont walked away without another word. The unease he had felt since finding Claire in that lane intensified. Something was very wrong in the Belmont household. He just needed to find out what.

“Kelkirk, my daughter has often expressed her interest in your seat and hands, says they are some of the finest in London.”

Looking at Major Brantley, Simon swallowed his smile. He could take that statement in many ways, yet knew that the man was not deliberately lacing his words with innuendo. However he also knew that Brantley was looking for a husband for his daughter, and whilst Simon was not averse to the married state, he was averse to a woman who judged her men by then length of their hocks and strength of their seat.

“Well, lovely speaking with you, Major, and please give my regards to your charming daughter, but I must away, as the music is due to start.”

He found Claire, but the seats to her left and right were taken, so he sat in the one behind. “Good evening, Miss Belmont.”

She did not turn but did stiffen as he spoke. “Good evening, Lord Kelkirk.”

“I understand we are to have Mozart this evening?”

“I believe so, yes.”

“Tis most exciting, Lord Kelkirk,” said the woman to Claire’s right. “I believe Miss Fobersure is to be accompanied by Lady Lawn.”

“Well, if that is indeed the case, I should imagine we are in for a night of unequalled excitement, Miss James.”

Claire sniffed at his words.

“I was sincere in my praise, I assure you, Miss Belmont,” he whispered in her ear. She shivered as his breath touched her neck. He had no further chance to talk, as the music began. His hopes when he had decided to come tonight were that the musicians were at least proficient, but he realized as Petunia Fobersure and Lady Lawn took the stage, he had made a grave error in attending. He had come to see Claire, of course, but even that thought did not help as the torture began. Before him, Claire’s fingers crept to her ears, which made him feel marginally better.

“Tut-tut, Miss Belmont,” he said, once again leaning forward. Her scent was alluring, and he inhaled deeply. One long strawberry blonde curl rested on her shoulder, and he wanted to lift it and roll it between his fingers to test the texture. He quickly sat back as his body started to stir and his thoughts turned to those of a more carnal nature. Focusing on the stage, they soon cooled.

The music went on for what seemed like a day and a night until finally it ended, and the guests rose on a collective sigh of relief.

“We will now have dancing,” Lady Waverly said with a beaming smile, unaware all her guests had a loud ringing in their ears, and most had vowed, silently, not to attend her musical evenings ever again.

Before he could stop her, Claire had hurried away, following the other guests to where the dancing would begin. The woman was bloody elusive, he’d give her that. Pausing to secure a much needed glass of champagne, he then chatted briefly with a few friends before making his way through the crowd to the edge of the dance floor. Claire was dancing and appeared happy enough, smiling and chatting with her partner, who was all but falling into her cleavage. He’d never seen her wear anything like that. She was always dressed stylishly and elegantly, with just enough soft pink skin showing to torment him. Very rarely did she look like a bloody siren. Sensual and alluring, yes, however tonight Simon could feel his body growing tense just looking at her. He suddenly wanted to run one finger under his collar like a young whelp, as it felt tight against his throat. The color of the dress made her skin glow, and he had known she had lovely breasts but not quite how lovely. They would make any man’s fingers twitch, showcased as they were in apricot satin this evening. Simon wasn’t sure why he was angry about her dress or that other men were looking at her breasts, yet he was. So much so that when the dance stopped, he moved to intercept her. “My dance, I believe, Miss Belmont.”

“I’m sorry, my lord, but I am promised to Lord Calvary.”

“He’s taken ill,” Simon said, placing a hand on her spine and propelling her forward.

“You’re lying. He was perfectly well not ten minutes ago.” She tried to look over her shoulder to see if Lord Calvary was about. He turned her in his arms as the waltz started, and they were soon moving together with the music.

“Miss Belmont, I never lie. Mr. Calvary is suffering from digestion issues. It seems his coat and breeches are too tight and restricting the airways.” Simon looked down at her and tried to keep his eyes on her face instead of the lush swells above the bodice of her dress.

She didn’t smile as he’d intended her to; in fact, the expression in her brown eyes was identical to her brother’s–one of infinite sadness.

“Yes, you do lie regularly, especially if it is to strengthen your claim.”

“You wound me,” he said, pulling her closer as they navigated their way around several couples. He had not danced often with Claire, usually because she was never short of partners and avoided Simon whenever she could. “How is your headache?”

“What headache?”

“The one you told Eva you had, when you sent a note around to her house explaining you would not be attending the Miller ball two nights ago.” Interesting, she had lied to her best friend, but why? All this intrigue was making his head hurt.

“Oh yes, that headache. Much better, thank you, my lord.” She avoided his eyes, and instead, looked over his shoulder.

“I understand you are going with Daniel and Eva to Stratton tomorrow.”

She nodded, still not looking at him.

“I was just talking with your brother, Claire. He appeared worried about something. Do you know what it is?”
Simon caught her as she tripped on his foot. He held her briefly before standing her back on her feet. Leaning forward so his mouth was against her ear, he then whispered, “What the hell is going on with you?”
Instead of censuring him for using coarse language in her presence, she simply pulled herself out of his arms. “Thank you for the dance, Lord Kelkirk, but I fear my headache has returned. Thus I will find my mother at once and leave.”

“Claire, I want to help you, please. Tell me what is wrong.”

She tried to evade him as he reached for her arm, but with so many prying eyes upon them, she could not, so he simply grabbed her hand and rested it on his sleeve.

“There is nothing wrong with me, my lord, other than a headache. Please take me to my mother at once.”

“And your brother? Why did he look so sad when you walked away from him?”
Simon wasn’t sure, as the room was filled with noise, but he thought she made a sound. However when he looked down at her, she had her usual calm smile in place. She wasn’t calm, though. He could feel how tightly her fingers clenched his arm.

“My brother has much on his mind, my lord. I cannot furnish you with the reasons for his mood.”

He wasn’t going to get anything else out of her this evening, but he would tomorrow. He would make sure to get to Daniel’s house before they left and see Claire then, make her talk to him.

When they found Lady Belmont, the woman would not look at her daughter. Instead, she offered Simon a tight smile that resembled her children’s. Whatever this was, it clearly involved the entire Belmont family.

“Excuse me. I shall find Lord Belmont now, Lady Belmont, as your daughter has a headache and wishes to leave at once.” The older lady gave him a curt nod but still did not make a move towards her daughter.

Mathew Belmont was standing, looking out some windows into the darkness. In one hand, he held a glass of champagne, which appeared untouched.

“Belmont, your sister is unwell and wishes to return home at once.”

“Where is she?” His skin paled instantly, and his eyes started searching for Claire.

“I will take you to her.”

They quickly made their way back through the throng to Claire and Lady Belmont. Claire was standing silently beside her mother. Her hands were clenched, and she looked uncomfortable. Her mother looked much the same. Anyone watching them would have thought they were strangers, as they neither touched nor conversed.

“Are you unwell, Claire?”

Simon stayed back as Mathew reached for his sister. She stepped away from the hand Belmont was holding out, and it fell to his side.

“I wish to go home please, my lord, at once.”

Not brother or Mathew but my lord.
Claire’s words sounded cold and detached.