Cleo leaned forward and admired Vic
toria's painting, musing thoughtfully.
Trust
stone vale to find a way to give his heiress
the one gift she could not have bought for
herself."
The amber yellow silk gown was stun
ning in its elegant simplicity. Victoria was
pleased with the effect. The skirt fell in a
narrow, graceful column to her ankles. The
high waistline, topped with a small, artfully
draped bodice, displayed a wide expanse
of white skin and emphasized the gentle
curves of her breasts. Her slippers were
embroidered in gold thread and matched
her long, elegant gloves.
The amber pendant hung in solitary
splendor around her throat. With a last
glance in the mirror, Victoria decided she
was as ready as she would ever be for
Jessica Atherton's reception. She picked
up her gilded fan.
I will take the black cloak, the one with
the hood lined in gold satin, Nan."
Ye do look wonderful tonight, ma'am,"
Nan breathed reverently as she carefully
draped the long, flowing cloak around
her mistress's shoulders.
His lordship
will be ever so proud." She adjusted
the hood so that the gold satin formed
a deep, rich collar around Victoria's throat.
Wonderful."
Thank you, Nan. I must be off. His
lordship will be waiting in the hall. Pray
do not wait up for me. I will wake you
when I return if I need any help."
Yes, ma'am."
Lucas was pacing impatiently at the foot
of the stairs, but when he saw Victoria
draped in black velvet and gold, he halted
abruptly. His eyes were full of gleaming,
sensual admiration as he watched her come
slowly down the staircase.
Ready for battle, are we?" he murmured
as he took her arm.
Let's just say I do not want Jessica
Atherton feeling sorry for me."
He laughed as Griggs opened the door.
She is far more likely to feel sorry for
me."
Oh, really? And why is that, my lord?"
Lucas tightened his hold on Victoria's
arm.
She will know I must be helpless
to resist my Amber Lady. She will
undoubtedly worry that you are already
in command of this marriage."
Victoria slid a sidelong glance at him as
he assisted her into the carriage.
And are
you helpless to resist me?"
What do you think?" He climbed in
beside her.
I think you are teasing me again."
He reached for her hand and inclined
his head gallantly over her gloved fingers.
Madam, I assure you that I find you
utterly irresistible."
I shall bear that in mind."
The streets near the large Atherton
home were filled with carriages. Dozens
of elegantly dressed people clogged the
front steps. But Lucas and Victoria, as
guests of honor, were quickly ushered past
the crowds.
When Victoria handed over her cloak
in the wide, brilliantly lit hall, the amber
yellow gown was revealed in all its glory.
Lucas took one look at the graceful expanse
of his wife's throat, shoulders, and bosom
revealed by the small bodice and he set
his teeth.
No wonder you kept that cloak wrapped
around you, until we got here," he growled.
This will teach me to examine your
attire far more carefully before I take
you anywhere in the future."
Trust me, Lucas. This gown is in the
height of fashion."
It reveals more than a tavern maid's
dress. You are practically falling out of it.
If I had seen it before we left the house,
I would have sent you straight upstairs to
change."
Too late for that now," she told him
cheerfully.
Now do stop frowning so. We
are about to be announced and you surely
would not want Lady Atherton and her
guests to think we are quarreling."
You have won for now, madam, but
rest assured, this discussion will continue
at a later time." He led her toward the
top of the stairs that descended into the
glittering, crowded ballroom.
A hush fell over the throng of beautifully
dressed people as the Earl of stone vale
and his lady were announced. And then
a ringing cheer went up and glasses were
raised in a salute as Lucas and Victoria
went down the staircase to greet their host
and hostess.
Lady Atherton's gaze held a trace of
wistfulness as she smiled at Lucas. Lord
Atherton, an austere man who was active
in politics, inclined his balding head over
Victoria's hand.
So kind of you both to honor us
with this reception tonight," Victoria forced
herself to say as sincerely as possible.
You look lovely, my dear," Jessica said
to Victoria.
That gown is simply exquisite.
And such an unusual style for a new bride.
But, then, you have always been something
of an Original, have you not?"
I do my best," Victoria assured her.
After all, I would not want to bore my
husband."
Lucas shot her a warning glance.
His smile was full of menacing charm.
Boredom is not something I have suffered
from much since the night I met you,
my dear."
Lord Atherton smiled briefly.
And as I
understand it, that momentous occurrence
took place right here in this ballroom, did
it not?"
Lady Atherton was kind enough to
introduce us," Victoria said politely.
So I heard." Lord Atherton extended
his arm.
Would you be so gracious as to
honor me with the first dance, madam?"
It would be my pleasure."
As she was led out onto the floor,
Victoria glanced back over her shoulder
in time to see a crowd of people close
in around Lucas. He caught her eye over
the heads of the throng and smiled faintly,
a smile of possession, admiration, and
sensual promise; a lover's smile.
Warmed by that smile, Victoria turned
to give her attention to Lord Atherton, who
was already starting to talk about politics.
Lucas kept an eye on his Amber Lady
as the evening passed, but he had very
little opportunity to speak to her. Just as
well, he told himself. If he did get close
to her, he would probably be unable to
avoid bringing up the topic of the dress
again, and since the damage was already
done, it would be pointless to continue the
argument.
A husband had to learn which battles
Were worth fighting, and he could not deny
that the military strategist in him could not
help but sympathize with Victoria's need to
make a brilliant splash tonight in front of
Jessica Atherton.
Nevertheless, he vowed as he caught
sight of Victoria being led out onto the
floor again, he would pay much closer
attention to her clothes in the future.
Your wife is cutting quite a swath
through my male guests tonight," Jessica
Atherton murmured as she glided up to
stand beside Lucas.
I am gratified that
she is enjoying herself."
She deserves to enjoy herself."
Yes. It cannot have been easy for her
to come here tonight."
Lucas raised a brow at that bit of
unexpected insight.
No, it was not."
I know she must have been feeling
somewhat battered by all that happened
at the time of her marriage to you. And I
did not aid matters by calling on her that
morning before you left for Yorkshire. I
am sorry about that, Lucas. I have wanted
to apologize for it. My only excuse is that
I was desperately anxious to know if you
were going to be happy with her," Jessica
said weakly.
Forget it, Jessica. It is all in the past."
Yes, you are quite right. It is just that
I know you were angry with me that day
and I expect I am trying to find out if you
have forgiven me."
As I said, it is over and done. Don't
fret about it. Victoria and I have arrived at
an understanding and we are both content
with the marriage."
Jessica nodded.
I rather thought that
is what would happen. She is, after all,
an intelligent woman. She may be rather
outrageous at times, but she is also a
woman of honor and integrity. I would
not have introduced you to her if I had
thought otherwise. I was certain that when
all was said and done, she would learn to
accept her fate and fulfill her duty, just as
you must."
Lucas realized he was starting to grit his
teeth. He reached for a glass of champagne
and took a large swallow.
Tell me, Jessica,
have you had much pleasure in your
marriage?"
Atherton is a tolerable husband. That
is as much as a woman can hope for from
her marriage. I take satisfaction in knowing
I am a good wife to him. One does what
one must."
A tolerable husband. Victoria had called
him that once or twice, Lucas reflected.
He suddenly felt slightly savage. Was that
all he was to her he wondered? A tolerable
husband?
Excuse me, Jessica. I think I just saw
Potbury in the crowd by the window. I
wanted to ask him a question."
Of course."
Lucas escaped his hostess, but he knew
he could not escape her words. As was
frequently the case with Jessica Atherton,
she might grate a bit, but she was not
altogether wrong in her observations. She
was right about Victoria being a woman
of honor and integrity. But Lucas did not