Three Times the Scandal (5 page)

“
Oh, some dire gentleman’s club where they play dice and swig port straight from the bottle.” Mae Allenthorpe, her eyes shining with glee, squeezed onto the chaise between them. “We shall have no dowries left by morning and it will be entirely your fault, Fortuna.” She sagged against the upholstery, breathless, and her cheeks blazing with colour. After a couple of deeper breaths she propped herself up again. “Can’t you just agree to marry him? None of us want to go home yet. Especially not for a row.”

“
Of course she can’t.” The show of solidarity from Alicia surprised a smile out of Fortuna. “Do be quiet, Mae. It’s not as if you haven’t danced with every eligible gentleman already. Several of them twice. Think of someone other than yourself for a change.”

“
As a matter of fact, I have been.” She crossed her arms beneath her chest, which squeezed her already ample breasts together, making them lift so the nipples were almost on show. “He has dark hair and the most beautiful smile in the room.”

Both Fortuna and Alicia glowered at her, and were still doing so when Mrs. Allenthorpe returned with her remaining two daughters. She stared imperiously down her nose at Fortuna. “I trust you noticed that you’ve driven your father off.”

Fortuna bowed her head. There was only one thing she could say that would make any difference, and she wasn’t prepared to say it. Therefore it seemed best not to say anything at all. Two gentle fingers stroked across her brow, prompting her to look up and face her mother. Some of the anger had washed out of her mother’s eyes, but her lips remained pinched around the edges and her jaw stern.

“
I suppose such skittishness is only to be expected. Marriage is a big step. We all understand that, but you must see it as an adventure, dear.” She drew her caress into Fortuna’s hairline, and then down behind her ear to her jaw. “Now, I’ve arranged for Sir Hector to call tomorrow after breakfast, on the understanding that he will be warmly received.”

“
No.” Fortuna’s insides bound themselves into tight knots at the thought of having to sit through another of his ghastly proposals. “I shall refuse him again, Mama. My mind is set.”

‘
Will you, indeed.” Mrs. Allenthorpe’s voice dropped to an octave below lethal, and her pale eyes narrowed into two sharp slits. Just her appearance drained what little colour than remained from Fortuna’s skin. “Hear me well, young lady. You’ll accept him tomorrow, or so help me, God, I’ll lock you in your room until you see reason.”

Fortuna simply blinked, then her gaze fixed upon the rigid lines of her mother’s face. It seemed she could already feel the walls of her bedchamber closing in upon her until she was locked in a prison of bright flock wallpaper, and the only way out was to peel away the layers of paper until she was completely exposed and no hint of resistance or sanity remained. Giles Dovecote had been right. This was a battle she couldn’t win.

The thought of him and how he’d been so certain of her eventual defeat caused her to lift her chin in defiance, but she couldn’t keep it up. Most of her life she had been dutiful and acquiescent. She’d pleaded for things before, but never before had she reached such a standoff. The tension seemed to claw at her skin like a thousand tiny pinpricks, until a single word formed upon her lips, “Please.”

Triumph shone in her mother’s eyes. She didn’t respond, but instead gathered her other daughters to her skirts. “We’ll away home now, girls.”

“
Oh, but surely not. It’s far too early to steal away so many charming dance partners.” The lazy male drawl met her mother’s brittle triumph and broadsided it into fragments. Mrs. Allenthorpe stiffened; she turned and blinked up into the face of their host’s eldest son, who stood within two inches of her person, exquisitely poised, right down to the glint of pure wickedness in his dove-grey eyes.

“
Lord Darleston, I’m afraid we must,” Mrs. Allenthorpe gaze fastened upon the rich velvet of his coat.

“
No, no. Neddy and I quite insist upon your company.” His drawl grew evermore sinful, as he drew his brother closer.

Something about that drawl wakened both memories and feelings Fortuna had fought hard to repress. The Darleston twins had been at Pennerley too, and she just knew, just knew that Giles Dovecote was behind their strategic appearance. It was as if she’d danced with the Devil the night of Lord Pennerley’s phantasmagoria and now his servants were rallying to help her out of the sticky situation the good folks around her thought for her best. The realization that she might have an ally or two reawakened the butterflies that had earlier troubled her stomach. Fortuna nervously folded her arms across her chest and pressed her closed fan to her lips.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Allenthorpe raised her fan as a barrier, while her gaze darted nervously between the two men.

“
I think I must insist upon this dance.” Darleston clasped the hand that held the fan, rendering Mrs. Allenthorpe open-mouthed and speechless. With a gentle tug he led her onto the dance floor.

“
Miss Alicia Allenthorpe.” Neddy extended his hand and then led Alicia away too. Fortuna watched them as they glided across the floor. Her sister had always been light on her feet, and Neddy’s movements seemed to complement Alicia’s perfectly. Meanwhile, the stiffness in her mother’s back had gone. She gazed up at the earl’s son in mystified delight. No doubt she’d be crowing to her friends later about how he’d specifically sought her out.

As they continued to spin and turn, Fortuna’s gaze wandered to the edges of the room seeking out some sign of Dovecote’s presence.
If I had any courage, I should run
, she thought, glancing at each of her three remaining sisters, none of whom would stop her if she excused herself. But where would she go? She had no idea where Dovecote lived and he was her only ally in this.

Darleston returned her mother to the group, and breathless, the older lady sank onto the chaise, rapidly fanning her cherry-blossom pink cheeks. “Well, really,” she declared, but made no protest when Darleston turned to Fortuna for the next dance, and Neddy to Patience.

“
Is our ruse working, do you think?” Darleston asked, as they swirled by the edge of the dance floor. Fortuna noticed that though he worked with the flow of the dancers they were drawing inexorably further from where her mother sat.

“
I confess I cannot wholly fathom what you’re about.” She sucked upon her bottom lip. Darleston twirled her beneath his raised arm and they came together again, joining a group of six other dancers, to bow, curtsey and then move on.

“
Then let me explain. The purpose is threefold. Firstly, as a means of distraction, while your mother settles her heart palpitations, I’m free to lead you astray. Secondly, that I do lead you astray.” He suddenly pulled her into the crowd bordering the dance floor.

“
And thirdly?”

Darleston’s smile was wicked and slow. “Later, Miss Allenthorpe. Later.” He drew a finger across his lips, then pressed the same to hers, leaving behind the taste of him, like an imprint. “I’ll bid you good night. I believe you’ll find the required restroom behind you.” He bowed, and swiftly departed.

Fortuna turned around to find not the restroom but the glass doors onto the summer parlour.

Dovecote
. His name sang in her heart. Had he returned to the drainpipe after she’d left the frosty terrace?

She gave one last look at the ballroom. She could just make out Darleston’s back, a glib lie regarding her whereabouts no doubt already upon his tongue. She turned the door handle and let herself in. “Where are you?”

Dovecote emerged from behind one of the huge yellow drapes that huge like bands of frozen sunlight across the windows. “Here.” He took her hand and looked deep into her eyes.

“
I thought you’d gone,” she said.

“
I had, but I confess to a sudden fit of gallantry. Shall we attempt that descent into the night again? You will come with me, won’t you, Fortuna? You know what I offer is better than a life with Sir Hector.” He led her back out onto the frosty terrace. The earlier flurry of snow had stilled, and now stars peeped down at them from a clear sky. The rime on the flags sparkled as he helped her mount the balustrade. “You can’t seriously expect me to shimmy down a drainpipe?”

Dovecote slid his hands up to her elbows. “Of course not, I’ve arranged a ladder.”

Fortuna clapped her hands together as her anxieties gave way to mirth. She guessed from the way his brow crumpled that she sounded hysterical, so she took several deep breaths. “This is madness. I’ve no clothes, no money and no promises from you.”

“
You have one. My protection.”

She considered slowly, her stubborn chin raised. “Somehow I don’t think that means quite the same thing coming from you as it does from other men.”

“
No one will know where you’ve gone. There’ll be no immediate risk to your reputation. Now, will you come? Are you ready to take charge of your own destiny?”

Take charge! As if it could be that simple.

“
There’s a carriage waiting, and I suspect you’re running out of sisters.” Yes, the strains of another melody were starting up. The twins would have danced with them all by now. In a moment, her mother would notice her absence and start a search of her.

“
I’m ready.”

Giles helped her onto the top rung of the ladder, descending before her so as to make sure she didn’t fall. Once on the ground, he took her hand again and they snuck around the side of the building. His carriage stood upon the driveway, the driver ready with the team of four.

Giles lifted her into the belly of the landau. “Be at ease. I’ll soon follow.” He closed the door. The carriage lurched forward immediately, throwing her off balance. Fortuna dropped into one of the seats. Through the narrow window she could just make out his receding figure. He raised a hand, waved, then melted into the foliage at the side of the building. He was going to dispose of the ladder, she supposed.

Fortuna shivered and settled amongst the squabs. What mischief had she got herself into? She had to admit she felt a certain amount of glee over her escape, though what came next concerned her a little. The kiss he’d stolen earlier would surely soon be the first of many. He’d expect some reward for his assistance.

When the carriage rumbled to a halt again, Fortuna looked out and realized, they’d merely turned a lap of the house, and now rested a little to its rear on the edge of the gore. Seconds later the door opened, and not one, but three men climbed in.

Dovecote settled beside her, whilst the Darleston twins sprawled opposite. Fortuna eyed them curiously, somewhat wary. Running away with one man was foolhardy enough, but travelling alone with three...

“
Your sister is an unbelievable minx,” laughed Neddy. He stretched his long legs out before him and rubbed a hand across his loins. “I swear she’s just given me a stiff the length of a yardstick.”

“
And in your case that’s not an exaggeration,” remarked his brother. Darleston winked at her. “I did promise you we’d meet again.”

Fortuna gaped at them. She didn’t need to ask which sister they were referring to with their crudities. Mae. The others wouldn’t dare be so forward.

“
Ah, but the night’s young yet,” Darleston clapped a hand on his brother’s knee. “I’m sure you’ll find sport enough to entertain you yet.” He leaned forward, and held a dark bundle out to Fortuna. “We wouldn’t want you to freeze on the journey now, would we?”

Fortuna unfolded the thick cloak, and Dovecote helped cast it about her shoulders, where it settled in deep shimmery maroon folds. The pile was deceptively thick and quickly drew the chill from her body. “To whom does this belong?” she asked.

“
It’s mine.” The carriage door swung open again, and a fourth figure climbed into the carriage. Seeing that there was no room to sit, the woman, whom Fortuna didn’t recognise, perched upon Darleston’s knee. “And I should very much like it back when we get to wherever it is these rogues are taking you.” Currently, the woman wore a long woollen pelisse, fastened at the front and decorated like a hussar’s jacket with rows of white braiding and spherical gold buttons. She shivered slightly. “Where are we going?”

Darleston tipped her off his knee and into his brother’s lap. “Nowhere you were invited to, my darling wife.”

Chapter Three

Fortuna’s first thought on seeing the white stone façade of Dovecote’s townhouse was that it had seen a woman’s touch. There were traces of her presence scattered through the hall and drawing room—curiously feminine ornaments, embroidered pictures and a scrapbook of pressed flowers displayed upon the sideboard, but no obvious indication of who she was, and no overt sense that she was still here. It was as if she had simply vanished.

Since Fortuna was used to the clutter of a large family, the drawing room seemed both cavernous and empty with only the five of them huddled around the fireplace. She and Lady Darleston sipped cups of tea provided by Dovecote’s bristly, if efficient man. This was not at all what she’d expected. She was under no illusion that she’d run into the night with three wolves, who given the opportunity would probably devour her. Curiously, the prospect of that happening didn’t frighten her. It intrigued her more than anything, but they all seemed too reluctant to act, their gazes constantly darting back and forth from one to another. Fortuna, in turn, found her gaze straying towards the woman whose presence had so changed the mood of the little band.