Scandal of the Season (15 page)

Why?

Victoria sat up on the bed and wiped her tears. Why would he treat her like that? All she’d done was try to assist him. And he thought to force her. She thought back on the interaction and suddenly realized something absurd.

He had been angry with her about the note, but he seemed far more furious over the fact that Hardy kissed her. Somerton was jealous. Angry and jealous and possessive. Those punishing kisses had come from jealousy.

A little smile lifted her lips. He wanted her. Her heartbeat increased with the idea. If she had let him, he would have made love to her. Perhaps not in the manner she would have preferred, but he would have nonetheless.

Still, anger simmered within her at his method. If he’d told her of his jealousy, she could have eased his mind. He should have talked to her. Not that he seemed to have the ability to speak with her honestly about anything.

Well, she was not about to soothe him now. He would have to come to her. She almost laughed aloud at the thought of Somerton apologizing to her. The man was more stubborn than a mule.

She rose and rang for a maid. She wanted a bath and change of clothing before he came back into the room. In truth, she wished to be done and departed from the room before he returned. She had no desire to speak with him for a while.

As soon as she finished with her bath and dressing, she picked up the letter to Hardy’s mother and placed it in her pocket. She needed to return this to the study where he could find it, and not suspect that she’d taken it. Leaving the room, she paused and listened for any sound that might indicate Somerton coming nearer.

Victoria checked the stairs and then strolled down them. The door to the study was open so she cautiously entered the room. Finding no one there, she placed the note on the floor by the chair Hardy had sat in. She crossed the room eager to leave and find a quiet place to read for now.

“Mrs. Smith, what are you doing in here?”

She stopped and stared at Hardy. What was she doing here? “I came in to see if I had left my book of poetry here earlier. Have you seen it?”

“No. I don’t remember you coming in here with a book,” he commented.

She frowned as if truly pondering this situation. “Indeed? Then where could I have left it?”

“I do not know. I came here looking for a letter I had on my person before we spoke. It seems to have gone missing from my pocket.”

“Oh, perhaps it dropped out when we…” She looked away as if embarrassed by talking about kissing.

“Perhaps.” He walked to the chair and glanced around. “There it is.” He picked it up and placed it back into his pocket.

“Well, I must continue searching for my book. Good day, Mr. Hardy.”

“Mrs. Smith, wait.” He walked closer until he was next to her. “Do you think we might meet later?”

She smiled at him. “No, Mr. Hardy. As I said earlier, I must break things off with Lord Somerton first.”

“Is that right?” Somerton’s voice sounded from the threshold.

A part of her was relieved that Somerton entered the room before Hardy attempted to kiss her again. But another part of her felt a sudden stab of anger.

Somerton leaned against the door in a casual manner with his arms folded across his chest. “Perhaps one of you would like to explain what is going on?”

“Mr. Hardy, you should leave while I speak with Lord Somerton.”

“I think I would prefer to stay.”

“Oh, do stay, Hardy.” Somerton stalked into the room like a panther. “But let us get one thing out of the way. Mrs. Smith is my mistress. She is not yours, nor will she ever be yours.”

As Somerton approached Hardy, she noticed Hardy’s eyes widen with fear.

“I understand.” Hardy strode from the room before Somerton stepped closer.

She waited until Hardy was out of earshot. “Well done, Somerton. I am certain he will not bother me again.” She walked toward the door only to have him spin her around to face him.

“We are not done talking.”

She arched a brow at him and twisted out of his grip. “After this afternoon, we are absolutely finished.”

Victoria took her seat for dinner just as Lord Ancroft walked in with Somerton at his side. She looked away as Somerton glanced toward her. She could never remember feeling so disappointed in a person. And yet, the idea that there was something redeeming about Somerton would not leave her. She still wanted to discover that part of him.

Hardy took his seat next to her and rubbed his leg against her thigh. She had the greatest urge to inch her seat next to Lord Bingham and away from Hardy. She doubted the old earl would even notice.

Somerton’s icy glare blasted her from across the table.

“Are you all right, Mrs. Smith?” he asked with concern lacing his low voice. “You look a little pale.”

Victoria blinked and looked away from Somerton. “I am quite well. I just remembered it was my sister’s birthday and I have forgotten to send her my wishes for a happy year.”

“Ah, of course.”

She ate far too quickly in an attempt to get away from Hardy. Not that it mattered since dinner was a five-course event that took hours. Then she would have to wait for Lady Farleigh to rise and call the ladies to the salon. She poked at her roast duck but could not stomach it tonight.

“Mrs. Smith, will you attend the mummers’ play this evening? Lady Farleigh has been planning this for months. Or would you prefer to play a card game tonight?” Hardy asked and then stuffed a large piece of duck into his mouth.

She couldn’t believe after the confrontation in the library that he would ask such a thing. Hannah had brought in a mummers’ troupe to perform a midwinter play but also promised a full selection of cards and games to keep everyone occupied. All Victoria wanted to do was escape from the noise and people, mostly Hardy and Somerton.

“I do not believe it would be wise to do either. Besides, I may retire early tonight, Mr. Hardy. I feel a most dreadful headache coming upon me.”

“Would you like me to escort you to your room?”

The man just did not know when to stop. Was he trying to provoke Somerton? “I do not believe that would be proper.”

“Of course. It is only proper if Somerton escorts you.”

“Tsk, tsk, do not show your jealousy to me.”

Would this meal ever end? She slid another glance toward Somerton. If only he would tell her of the demons he fought. Even after this afternoon’s debacle, she was certain there was something else behind it. Some need of his to control the situation, but why? A need to control her, perhaps? All women?

Finally, dinner ended. As the ladies strolled into the salon, she caught up with Hannah.

“Hannah, I must get some air.”

Hannah frowned. “It is frigid outside.”

“I shan’t be gone for long. I need some time alone to think.”

“Is Somerton still giving you trouble?” Hannah asked.

She nodded. “And Hardy too.”

“Very well, then. I will think of some excuse for you. But not too long, or I shall be forced to send a footman out to find you.”

“Thank you.” She raced upstairs to get her wool cloak and then outside.

The peace and darkness enveloped her like a cave. She walked a little ways down the path until she found a seat in what must be a garden in the summer. She brushed powdery snow off the bench and sat. With the stars twinkling down at her, for the first time in a very long time she was alone.

If only her biggest problem could be solved by sitting out here by herself. At some point tonight, she would have to face Somerton again. While she should be furious with him for his actions, and a part of her was, she felt his pain too. Something was eating at him and it had to do with her.

“What the bloody hell are you doing out here in the cold?”

She turned slightly to see him staring at her as if she must have lost her mind. “I needed some time alone. Now, if you do not mind, I would like to continue to be alone.”

Instead of listening to her, Somerton stepped forward and then took a seat on the far end of the bench. If he moved only a few inches, they would touch.

“Did you know I was out here?” she asked.

“Lady Farleigh mentioned that I might need to go for a walk tonight. She said the cold air might do me good.”

“I see.” She wondered why Hannah would do such a thing.

They sat silently for a few moments before he finally shifted in his seat.

“I can’t apologize enough for my actions, Victoria,” he whispered, staring at the frozen ground in front of him. “I was a bloody idiot.”

“Yes, you were. But why?”

“I was angry.”

“Why?” she pressed.

He blew out a breath and she watched air swirl around him. “My entire life has been nothing but secrets and lies. You have done nothing but lie to me or keep things from me. Hearing you make plans with Hardy sent me over the edge. I know it is no excuse.”

“No, it is not. Especially when you are keeping secrets of your own.” She inched a little closer to him. “Were you jealous of Hardy?”

“Yes,” he admitted softly. “When I close my eyes and think about him kissing you, I want to strangle the man.”

“I was only trying to help you,” she whispered.

“I know that now.”

She desperately wanted to keep him talking to her. Maybe then, he would disclose something of himself to her. “Do you think there is any way we could reveal some of our secrets without divulging everything?”

He turned his head slightly and looked at her with a small smile. “I would like to try.”

“Very well, I shall start,” she said. “A woman paid me to take her baby in after she discovered she was with child. She was a wealthy woman who could not afford to let her secret get out. She bought the house for me to stay in while raising her child. Once her daughter is eighteen, she promised to turn the house over to me.”

“A woman,” Somerton said, shaking his head with a long sigh. “I should have assumed that was the case. What if her husband discovers the truth?”

“She is not married. At least, not to my knowledge. She might have been at one time. Honestly, the topic never came up.”

“Is she the one who taught you to read?” he asked, then moved a little closer to her.

“Yes, and she taught me to speak correctly and my manners. She wanted me to be able to teach her daughter all these things, too. Once I learned to read, I went to the lending library and brought home books on history and mathematics. It was as if a whole new world had opened for me.” She looked over at him and smiled. “I did discover that I don’t like mathematics much.”

He laughed softly. “I loved mathematics in school. Poetry bored me, but with numbers I was happy.”

“I cannot tell you any more than that. I promised the woman I would never reveal her name.”

“Thank you.”

Anthony knew she was waiting for him to admit his secret but he had no idea how to do so without telling her everything. But as she said, they could reveal some of the secrets without telling the entire truth. He could at least try.

“When I was ten, two days before Christmas, I was told my mother died in a carriage accident.”

Her eyes widened and she reached for his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“You had lost both parents by then.” He squeezed her hand. “For eight years, I lived with my father believing what he’d told me. Then that night ten years ago, I found out differently.”

“What do you mean? Your mother didn’t die in a carriage accident?”

He closed his eyes to block out the pain he felt whenever he thought about that night. “I found out my mother was still alive.”

“Are you certain?”

“Very. After I found out the truth, I picked up a bottle of brandy and ended up at St. George’s.”

“Well that explains quite a bit. But did your parents reconcile?”

He almost laughed aloud. “No. She wants nothing to do with my father. She left because he had kept not just one but several mistresses and one even had his child.”

“Does he know that she is still alive?” she whispered. “It must have been dreadfully hard when he found out the truth.”

This time he did laugh, albeit scornfully. “Yes, it must have been hard on him especially since he’d known for eight years. He is the one who made up the story about the carriage accident.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, my God,” she mumbled. “Did she run off with another man?”

“Not quite.” Men, maybe but not just one. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you more about her without disclosing things I have promised to keep secret.”

She put her finger against his cold lips. “Then do not say another word.”

He kissed her finger and then held it in his hand. “I must. There is no justification for how I treated you this afternoon. But I am more sorry than I can ever express to you.”

He cupped her frigid cheeks and kissed her softly. “I promise I will never treat you like that again.”

“Thank you, Somerton.”

“I would not mind if you called me Anthony.”

She smiled against his lips and kissed him again. “Thank you, Anthony.”

“Ancroft told me I should have told you days ago why I am here.”

She looked up into his eyes. “You have decided to trust me?”

He smiled down at her. “Perhaps just a little. A man I do some work for asked me to watch Hardy. There is a rumor that there may be an attempt on the regent’s life. Hardy is suspected of being the messenger.”

“That is why you are looking for a note on him.”

“Exactly.”

Her brows furrowed deeply. “But why didn’t you come to me? You know I can pick his pocket. And being a woman, I can get much closer to him without drawing suspicion.”

“I didn’t want to drag you into this, Victoria. I have no idea what Hardy is capable of doing.”

“Thank you for telling me this. If I see Hardy with anymore notes, I will tell you.”

“We need to go back inside before you freeze completely.” He rose and held out his hand for her. Once she stood next to him, he said, “I need you to do me an important favor. I know I don’t deserve your assistance after this—”

“What do you need?” she interrupted.

“Can you keep Hardy busy downstairs while I check his room again?”

“He asked me to either attend the mummers’ play or join him in cards tonight. I will determine which he has decided to do and try to engage him while you investigate his room. How long will it take you?”

He pulled out his pocket watch and held it out to see in the moonlight. “I will need at least thirty minutes. I will return to the salon once I am finished.”

“Very well.” She brought her hand up to his cheek. “Be careful tonight.”

“I plan to. Do not let Hardy take you to a room alone.” As much as he tried, there was still a slight tone of jealousy to his voice.

“I have no intention of doing that.”

They walked together in a comfortable silence toward the house. He wondered if she could ever truly forgive him for his actions of both today and ten years ago. He wanted to make it up to her in some way but knew of nothing that would help. Perhaps some day, she could tell him more about her past. There were still things she kept from him whether from a promise to another or not.

Asking her for more was hardly fair when he could never reveal the identity of his mother…or half sister.

Victoria first entered the ballroom where the mummers were set to entertain. Old Father Christmas stepped across the stage to introduce the play and the characters. She glanced at the people seated and could not find Hardy.

Praying that he hadn’t retired to his room, she entered the salon where card games along with chess and backgammon were set out for the guests. She found Hardy standing near a window, watching the games in play. Slowly, she made her way over to his location.

“Mr. Hardy,” she said as she neared him. “I am feeling much better now and would love to play cards.”

“How about backgammon instead? There is a table set for two over there,” he replied, pointing to a small table set away from most of the others.

“All right, but I have to admit I am not very skilled at that game.”

“I shall teach you some strategies.” He held out his arm for her to link.

After a moment of hesitation, she took his arm and they walked to the table. She took her seat and stared at the board. Lady Whitely had taught her to play several years ago, but Victoria hadn’t touched the game since.

“Why don’t you go first since I haven’t played in awhile?”

“Of course,” he answered, then quickly reviewed the rules of the game and some simple strategies.

Victoria sneaked a quick glance at the clock on the mantel. It was already half past ten, so she needed to keep him occupied until at least eleven.

“Bored with the game already? Or are you bored with me?” he asked when she returned her gaze to the board.

“Neither. I was just checking the time. I did not realize how long I had been gone from the house.”

He sat back as she took her turn and smiled. “Yes, did the fresh air help your headache or did Somerton’s company help?”

She tried to hide her shock by staring at him directly and arching an eyebrow. “Somerton joined me outside without my permission. However, I did take the time to speak to him about my desire to end the relationship.”

“Was that before or after he kissed you?”

The man had outright admitted to spying on her! “That peck on my lips was nothing more than a kiss good-bye.”

“Is he leaving, then?” Hardy glanced around the room as if to verify that Somerton wasn’t in the room.

She took her turn and moved her checkers. “He said he preferred to stay. Unfortunately, Lady Farleigh is out of bedrooms so we will continue to stay in the same room. He did offer to sleep on the sofa.”

“You could stay with me,” he offered as he rolled the dice.

“I could, but I would not wish to embarrass Lord Somerton in front of everyone. Besides, he is a very jealous man.”

“So I have heard. Did things end well?”

She watched as he moved his checkers and then moved one of hers off the board. “As well as could be expected. He was not surprised since we have been arguing more than ever lately.”

“I see. How soon after we return to London can I call upon you?”

She needed an excuse to keep him away! “After the new year. I must spend Christmas with my sister.”