Something Scandalous (21 page)

The next few entries were in a similar fashion, and Elizabeth wondered why Will thought this was so sordid. Then she understood when she came to the entry of January 12.

Elizabeth closed the book and threw it on the floor. She felt dirty for reading something so depraved. How could her mother have allowed him to treat her like that? Why didn’t she say no?

She sat in the chair, unable to move for nearly an hour. She had thought she would be able to handle anything written in the journal but the idea that her mother let a maid do those things to her disgusted Elizabeth. Based on Will’s comments, Elizabeth doubted that what she’d read was even the worst of it.

She started at the sound of a knock on her door. “Yes?”

Her maid, Susan, peeked into the room. “Do you wish to get ready for the dinner party now?”

In her shocked stupor, she had forgotten about the dinner at Avis’s home. “Yes, now would be fine.”

Elizabeth quickly picked up the journal and placed it in her nightstand. The thought of reading more of it made her stomach churn with nausea. Maybe tomorrow she could bear it, but not tonight.

Susan picked out one of Elizabeth’s favorite gowns for the dinner, a lovely pale blue silk with lace trim around the neckline. Maybe dinner with her friends would help her feel better, but somehow, she doubted it.

Will enjoyed dinner with the Selbys. They had kept the guest list to less than twenty people so he knew everyone who attended. Unfortunately, the one person he wanted to speak with tonight did not come. Lady Selby had said Somerton accepted her invitation but she assumed something must have come up to detain him.

During dinner, Will had been able to keep his eye on Elizabeth, but now the ladies had removed to the salon while the men had brandies and cigars. He hated cigars but thankfully, only Lord Heatherstone decided to smoke.

“So, Kendal,” Heatherstone said between puffs, “have you decided to stay?”

With all the men staring at him, he shrugged. “Haven’t made up my mind yet.”

Why couldn’t he just admit he had decided to stay? Ellie and Lucy loved it here. The boys were settling in with their tutor, and even Michael seemed to like being here now.

“With all your visits to Parliament, I assumed you had made your decision,” Selby commented.

“Time will tell,” Will replied vaguely.

“Lord Somerton, milord,” a footman announced.

Somerton sauntered through the door and took a seat next to Will. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Somerton,” Lord Heatherstone said, shaking his head. “Excuse me, Selby. I find I must be leaving.”

Somerton smirked as Heatherstone ambled toward the door. “Interesting affect I have on some people,” Somerton muttered. He leaned closer to Will. “I have only a bit of news.”

“Where can we talk?”

“Selby’s study is upstairs and past the salon. But we need to wait a few minutes.”

“Very well.” Will listened to the various conversations but did not participate in any of them. After what felt like an eternity, Selby announced that they should return to the salon with the ladies.

While the rest of the men entered the salon, Will and Somerton continued on to Selby’s study. As soon as the door shut behind Somerton, Will turned and said, “Well? What information do you have for me?”

Somerton leaned against the closed door. “Your father spent most of his career on diplomatic missions for the king.”

“I know that.”

“What that means is I should be able to track his whereabouts during the time at issue.”

“How long will it take, Somerton?”

“I am searching as fast as I can. Your father’s general location should be documented. But I have papers to go through to discover his exact placement.”

“I fear rumors will soon spread.” Will turned away from Somerton. “It will kill her.”

“I know.”

Will turned around and Somerton was gone as silently as he’d appeared. Knowing his presence would soon be missed, Will walked to the salon.

Selby sauntered up to him with a grin. “So I hear Somerton met with you and left already. Is everything all right?”

“I asked him to do a little work for me. He had some pressing items to get back to,” Will replied.

Selby chuckled. “I know exactly what type of pressing items Somerton might have at this hour. Usually blond and rather buxom.”

“Some men have all the luck.”

“Hmm,” Selby muttered. “Seems to me an unmarried duke should have similar luck. Yet, the only time I see you with a woman, it is Lady Elizabeth.”

Will sent his new friend a glare.

Selby chuckled again and walked toward his wife.

“Is everything all right?” Elizabeth asked as she reached him. “You were positively glaring at Lord Selby.”

“Everything is all right. Go and enjoy yourself.” Will picked up a glass of port from a passing footman.

Elizabeth inclined her head and walked toward Lady Jennette.

Will spent the next hour making inane conversation with some of the gentlemen while the ladies set up card games. He just wanted to leave. Catching sight of Lady Selby stifling a yawn, Will knew he had found his way out of this house. He walked up to Elizabeth and whispered, “I think we should leave soon. Lady Selby looks extremely tired and in her condition, she needs her sleep.”

Elizabeth turned and smiled at him. “That is a very fine thought, indeed. I will make our excuses. Perhaps if we leave, others will follow our lead.”

Will felt a little guilty since he’d only seen Lady Selby yawn once. But she was quite heavy with child. Surely she needed her rest. He watched as Lady Selby protested Elizabeth’s departure but finally nodded her agreement.

Elizabeth walked back toward him with a smile. “She tried to pretend she wasn’t tired but I could tell she was.”

“Shall we?” he asked, holding out his arm to her.

“Yes.”

Will inhaled deeply and said another prayer that Somerton find that information quickly.

After two more tense days of waiting for Somerton to send him information, Will was about to give up and move out of the house. The strain at home was driving him mad. He could not stay in a room with Elizabeth for more than five minutes without fantasizing about her…and what he wanted to do with her. Now, she sat beside him in a small carriage as his sisters sat across from them. With each bump, her leg brushed against his, giving him more lecherous thoughts about kissing every inch of her body.

Thankfully, the ride to Lady Kingswood’s home was only a short drive. He climbed out first and assisted Elizabeth and his sisters. They entered the ball together, but knowing he could not stand another moment of being in her company, he quickly left for the gaming room.

After a large glass of whisky, he decided to sit at one of the tables. A small measure of tension eased from his body as a second glass of whisky followed the first. He placed a few bets, not worried about losing a small amount of money.

Richard sat two tables away tonight, with Caroline watching over him. His wife didn’t seem to give him any more good luck. Finally, she walked away with disgust written on her face.

Two hours later, Will had not moved and was down several pounds. He moved away from the table and headed to the ballroom to check on his sisters. After finding them both dancing with gentlemen, he scanned the room for Elizabeth. She was standing near her cousin Nicholas, deep in conversation. Nicholas noticed him and leveled him a glare. Her cousin did not seem to like him.

A large hand landed on Will’s shoulder. “You really need to come with me.”

“Please, tell me you have good news,” Will said to Somerton.

“The best.”

Somerton walked down a hall and turned into an empty receiving room. He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and held it up for Will to see.

Will plucked the paper out of Somerton’s hand and quickly read the document. “You are absolutely certain of this?”

“He left in March and did not return until Christmas. So unless her mother went with him, there is no way you are her brother.”

“Oh, thank God.” Will relaxed for the first time all day. He folded the paper and placed it in his jacket. “How did you find the information out so quickly?”

“It’s what I do,” Somerton said with a grin. “Good night, Kendal.”

“You’re not staying?”

“Good Lord, no. I have a soft bed and a warm woman waiting for me.” Somerton inclined his head and then left the house.

A soft bed and a warm woman, exactly what Will planned to have later, too. Now that he was certain Elizabeth wasn’t his sister, there was no reason not to make love to her all night. Just thinking about her made him hard. He wanted to steal her from the room and leave this place now. But he knew she would never agree to leave this early. He waited a few moments before entering the salon.

He found her in the ballroom alone this time, and slowly approached her. “Did you save a dance for me?”

She looked up at him with a forced smile. “I do not believe that would be a good idea tonight.”

“Hmm, I think it would be an excellent idea.” Before she could refute him, he linked his arm with hers and led her to the dance floor.

“Will,” she hissed. “Please, let me go back to the refreshment table.”

“No,” he said simply. The musicians started and he pulled her closer. “You will dance with me tonight.”

“But I shall not like it.”

He smiled at her. “You will love it.”

Inhaling her rosy scent, he moved with her across the floor. Perhaps having her so close when all he wanted to do was secret her off to a secluded place was not a good idea after all. He could barely control the urges he felt tonight.

There was no denying that he needed her now. As the music ended, he said, “Elizabeth, I am not feeling terribly well. Would you mind if we left early?”

“Of course not,” she replied with worry creasing her brow. “Go wait for us in the front hall. I will get the girls.”

“Very well.”

As he waited for the carriage, his foot kept time with the small clock in the hallway.

“You really do not look very well,” Elizabeth said once she and the girls found their way to the hall.

“I will be all right. I just need a good night’s sleep.” Will almost laughed. Sleep was the last thing on his mind tonight.

She shrugged, then walked to the waiting carriage.

Will clamored into the coach and was struck by the intimate setting. Darkness surrounded them and with the curtains drawn, it was as if the world had slipped away. He sat back against the seat and waited for the carriage to take them home.

Elizabeth had never been so thankful for Ellie and Lucy being with them. The dark enclosed carriage felt too intimate tonight. She was certain his leg had brushed against hers deliberately on the ride home. Each time she felt his leg next to hers, little shivers of desire spread throughout her body.

She climbed down from the carriage and strode past him. Distance was the answer. She had to get away from him before he wore down her defenses with another kiss.

“Good night,” she said once they had walked into the house. She raced up the steps to her room. Once there, she breathed a sigh of relief to see Susan waiting for her.

“Good evening, Lady Elizabeth.”

“Good evening, Susan.”

While her maid pulled out a chemise for Elizabeth to wear for the night, Elizabeth pulled the pins out of her hair. She listened as his footfalls echoed up the stairs, closer to her room. Finally, she heard him close his door. She hoped he felt all right. Perhaps once Susan retired, she would check on him.

She relaxed as she dressed and Susan brushed out her hair. Seeing Susan yawn, Elizabeth said, “Go to bed. I can plait my own hair tonight.”

“Thank you, miss.” Susan picked up a few things before retiring for the night.

Elizabeth stared at her bedroom door. Going to him even to see if he was all right might give him the wrong idea. A sound from outside drew her to the windows. She looked out, only to see a wagon lumbering by. She was far too jumpy tonight.

She started to walk back to her mirror when the door opened quickly. “What are you doing in here?”

Will smiled in such a devilish way at her, and then turned and locked the door. “Why do you think I’m here?”

“Will, I will not play games with you tonight. Please leave my room.” Elizabeth took a step back as he advanced on her. “Will, you told me you were ill!”

“I am perfectly fine.” He continued to stalk her until she had backed herself up against her desk. He stared down at her with his dark eyes.

“Will, I asked you to leave!”

“No.”

She swallowed and briefly wondered if he’d had too much to drink while in the gaming room with the men. He reached out and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

“Will, say something,” she pleaded. If she could get him talking then everything would be all right.

Instead, he gently kissed her. This was not the kiss of a drunkard but a man out to pursue a woman. He deepened the kiss, brushing his tongue against the slit of her lips. Elizabeth knew she should be the strong one and resist the temptation, but she didn’t want to be strong. She kissed him back, loving the feel of his tongue on hers.

His lips moved away from her and she moaned softly, missing the taste of persuasion. He kissed her jaw and then slipped her earlobe into the warm recesses of his mouth. She shivered with excitement and the allure of danger. But common sense finally eased its way back into her mind. Pulling away from him, she stared longingly at his face as if to memorize the look of passion on him.

“We must stop,” she whispered.

He grinned at her like a madman. “No, we mustn’t. I want you right here, right now, and nothing is going to stop me.”

“Will,” she groaned. “You know that there is a possibility that—” Damn the man for cutting her off with a passionate kiss. She wanted desperately to let go of her inhibitions but that would be so wrong. One of them had to remain strong.

This time, he pulled away and whispered in her ear, “You are not my sister.”

“We don’t know that.”

He kissed her ear again, sending a new arrangement of shivers down her back. “My father was in Russia for six months that year.”

Elizabeth pulled away and stared up at him. “How do you know this?”

Will yanked her back to him. “I am starting to truly appreciate what Somerton can do.”

She pushed against his chest. “You are certain?”

“I have never been more certain of anything. The timing is right. There is no way my father could have been with your mother unless you were three months late or three months early.”

Elizabeth held him back for a moment longer, gazing at him, loving the look of desire in his eyes. They didn’t have to wait.

“I want you, too,” she whispered. “Right here, right now.”

Will growled softly and pulled her against him. He tore at the chemise until it ripped. As it dropped to the floor, Elizabeth wrenched his linen shirt out from his trousers and over his head. She wanted him as naked as she was, and she wanted it now. While she worked at the buttons of his trousers, he kissed her neck, then her shoulder, until finally he moved her hands and forced open the buttons.

He leaned her back on the desk until she was laying on it. Before she could protest, his mouth moved to her nipple. She arched upward as the heat of his mouth scalded her with desire. Moisture pooled between her thighs as his tongue raked her. On the edge of the desk, he split her thighs with his hips. He actually meant to do this here, she thought mindlessly.