Undressed (Undone by Love) (20 page)

One of her slender hands lay across her breasts, the other arm above her head, her fingers splayed out against the pillow. Her head was turned to one side, her lashes resting against her flushed cheek where a few auburn tendrils lay damply against her skin. Her rose-tinted lips were parted, her chest rising and falling regularly.

Colin looked heavenward, emitting a sharp groan of frustration as he cursed his ill-begotten fate
.

She was fast asleep
. On their wedding night, no less.

***

“Oh, look. Here he is now. Colin, dear, wait till you see the drawing room furnishings we’ve chosen. Delightful, just delightful. Your wife has impeccable tastes,” his mother said, beaming at Brenna.

His wife
. The words still startled him, a full twenty-four hours after they’d pledged their troth before God and family. He peeled off his gloves as he strode into the salon, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. What a happy sight—his wife perched on the curved arm of the settee, obviously engaged in a lively conversation with Jane and Lucy, wrapped parcels and squares of fabric strewn about the room. No doubt enough furnishings and fabrics had been ordered to outfit a palace. The expense made him shudder. He supposed they thought her dowry was paying for such things. Instead they would quickly bleed him dry.

Out of habit, Colin made his way toward the sideboard on the far wall, reaching for an empty glass that sat beside a decanter of his father’s favorite claret
. He turned the glass over in his hand, holding it up to the sunlight as if to admire the cut. Mercifully, he remembered himself just in time. Setting the glass back down with a thump, he returned his attention to the women.

“Impeccable tastes, you say?” he drawled
. “Doesn’t surprise me in the least. You mustn’t forget she married me.”

“Well,” Jane interjected, “everyone is entitled to a lapse in judgment now and then
. Perhaps one day she’ll realize her folly.”

“As always, Jane, you wound me
. Truly. Isn’t there some gentleman out there for you to toy with instead? A heart to break? Who’s your next victim, now that you’ve chased poor Nickerson off?”

“Now, Colin,” Lucy said, “you know she had every right to refuse him
. Though I still can’t fathom why she would,” she added under her breath.

Lady Rosemoor clapped her hands together
. “Squabbling like children, all of you. Enough, I say. Goodness, what will poor Brenna think of her new family? Come now, Colin. You must look at the fabric samples we have here. Lovely, just lovely.”   

“Speaking of lovely,” Mandeville said, stepping into the room beside him, “there is my wife
. I thought I might find you here, Lucy.” 

Colin sighed in relief, appreciating Mandeville’s impeccable timing
. God knows, he hadn’t relished admiring fabric as a form of entertainment. As always, Lucy’s emerald eyes became luminous as she gazed adoringly at the marquess from across the room.

“Has Parliament closed for the day?” Jane asked.

“Indeed, and quite fortuitous timing, too. It’s a beautiful day,” he said, moving to Lucy’s side and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Perhaps we should all adjourn to the park for a stroll. Are you up to it, Lucy?”

“Of course I am
. I’m not an invalid, you know. My father said exercise was perfectly appropriate in my condition.”  She turned toward Brenna. “My father is a physician, you see, and...Wait, I nearly forgot. You don’t know, do you?”

Brenna shook her head
.

“I’m with child,” Lucy answered, near beaming
. One hand moved to her abdomen. “Soon my confinement will begin, much as I dread it. I’d hoped to stay in London till the end of the Season, but my stubborn husband will not hear of it.”

“I’d feel better with you tucked safely away in the countryside.”  Mandeville planted a kiss on the top of Lucy’s head
. “Certainly not too much to ask.” 

“How exciting for ye both,” Brenna said
. “My heartiest felicitations.”

Though Brenna smiled as she congratulated them, Colin couldn’t help but notice that she looked from Lucy to him with carefully guarded suspicion
. Surely she didn’t still believe that he and Lucy... He couldn’t even bear to think the words. Wasn’t it obvious just how much in love the Mandevilles were? It wasn’t as if they made any effort at all to hide it, a fact that alternately warmed and annoyed him, depending on his mood.

“Really, Lucy, isn’t it vulgar to speak of such things?” he said, brushing an invisible speck of lint from his lapel
. “I’m sure you’re breaking some iron rule of etiquette here.”

“Don’t be so priggish, Colin.”  Lucy frowned at him
. “Honestly, you’re a married man now. You’d best get used to such talk.”

Not at the rate my wife and I are proceeding
, Colin thought irritably.

Brenna dropped her gaze to her slippers, her cheeks reddening
. Clearly she, too, was remembering their wedding night. The fact that they had not consummated their vows hung heavily between them, a topic they’d both avoided since awakening in his bed together that morning.

She’d stirred beside him at dawn, her eyes widening in surprise when she’d seen him lying there awake, watching her
. “Did we...that is to say...” she stuttered, clutching the bedsheets about her. “Have we—”

“I assure you that, had we done so, you would remember it,” he’d answered dryly
.

With a satisfied nod, she slid from his bed
. Retrieving her wrapper from the floor, she hurried to her own bedchamber, leaving him there alone in the suddenly cold bed, his body aching for her. They’d not spoken of the matter since.

“I say, what of that stroll Mandeville suggested?” Colin asked, changing the subject to something far more comfortable than marriage and childbearing.

“A fine idea,” his mother said.

“Indeed.”  Jane flashed Brenna a bright smile, linking her arm through hers
. “Come, Brenna. Let’s join your dashing husband for a stroll.”

The sky was a dazzling blue, an almost surreal color, the air unusually cool and refreshing for late summer
. Lucy and Mandeville took the lead, leaning into each other intimately. Lady Rosemoor and Jane followed a discreet distance behind the pair, while Colin and Brenna brought up the rear.

The party ambled down Upper Brook Street and made their way across Tiburn Lane
. The park was bursting with activity, welcoming and bright. Smiling broadly, he guided his wife onto the walking path, headed toward the Serpentine.

He glanced down at Brenna, her face upturned toward the warming sun, its rays casting a golden glow upon her fair skin
. He was relieved to see her looking more relaxed than he’d seen her in quite a while, yet he was disappointed that the delightful smattering of freckles that had previously dusted her nose were now beginning to fade. The constraints of Town, no doubt—never allowed outdoors without the protection of a bonnet.

The nagging thought that she’d been right, that she did not belong in London, or even in oh-so-civilized Kent, disturbed him
. She’d been removed from her element, and he was forcing her to remain there indefinitely. She would be far happier at her beloved Glenbroch, riding through fields of heather, freckles on her sun-browned skin.

He shrugged away the unpleasant thoughts, forcing himself to consider their future there in London instead
. “It sounds as if your shopping expedition was a success.”

“Oh, ‘twas a grand success
. Your mother was indeed an enormous help. She is verra kind, and her guidance is most welcome.”

“She is kind, indeed
. A very fine woman, my mother.   Just don’t let her tire you. She can prove to be relentless when it comes to shopping.”

“Is that so
? Hmm, I didna notice.”  Her eyes sparkled like gems beneath the arch of her brows.

“Point taken
. Did I hear Jane mention that Lady Alderson’s annual ladies’ luncheon is taking place tomorrow?”

“’Twould seem so.”  

“And I suppose you’ve spent the better part of the day deciding just which frock will suit the affair?”

“Nay, of course not.”  She shook her head, her bonnet trimmings dancing in the breeze
.

“I’m surprised
. I thought all females—”

“But I wasna included in the invitation.” 

“Whatever do you mean? Didn’t I hear Jane say that both she and my mother had been invited?”

“Perhaps.”

His heart began to thump against his breastbone. “And Lucy—”

“Truly, ‘tis not so important, is it, Colin
? I was often excluded from such things, even while I resided with Lord and Lady Danville. I dinna expect it now.”

His pulse quickened as his anger rose a pitch
. How could Lady Alderson—a long-time friend of his mother’s—snub Brenna in such a fashion?

“But...” he sputtered, his lungs burning, “but I thought that...that...”

“That what?”  She turned to face him, her eyes full of understanding. “That once we married, everything would be set to rights? Even I know it doesna work that way. Ye are my husband, and your status, your station, becomes mine.”

“I suppose,” he muttered, his throat constricting most uncomfortably
. “But it isn’t at all fair to you. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Neither have ye, Colin
. Ye must remember that, even if they willna see it.”

“Even if I had, even if I were the worst sort of cheat, it doesn’t give the
ton
any excuse to treat you as if you are not worthy of their notice.”

“Besides, they have all declined the invitation
. Your mother and Jane; Lucy as well. ‘Twas not necessary, but I do appreciate their show of support.”

“Bloody right they should decline the invitation
. In fact, I’d like to take the blasted card and shove—”

“Shh, Colin
. Ye should lower your voice. Isna that Lord Barclay up ahead with Lord Mandeville?”

“I don’t give a damn if it’s Prinny himself,” he barked, and then quieted as the pressure on his arm increased
.

Up ahead, Lord Barclay moved away from the Mandevilles, tipping his hat toward Colin’s mother and Jane
. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he headed their way. Colin looked over at Brenna, saw her fix a forced smile on her face, and then he looked up again, just as Barclay drew abreast of them. Colin reached for his hat. “Good day, Lord Barclay,” he called out cheerily in greeting.

Barclay’s eyes met his, then narrowed perceptibly before moving away, his gaze fixed upon the horizon
. The silence was deafening.

As the arrogant man moved past them, Colin went blind with rage
. How dare he? How dare he cut them so directly, particularly Brenna? He stood, rooted to the spot, his heart hammering and the rush of blood deafening his ears.

“How dare you, sir?” he roared.

Beside him, Brenna started in surprise. “Nay, Colin,” she whispered. “Don’t. He’ll hear ye.”

“I hope he does hear me, the bloody bastard.” 

His mother and Jane hurried over, wringing their hands.  

“Do you hear me, Barclay?”  Colin clenched his fists by his sides, his gaze fixed on the man’s retreating form
. “I’m calling you a bastard!”

“Truly, Colin, ‘twill only make matters worse,” Brenna said, her voice level
.

Mandeville appeared at Colin’s side, Lucy following close behind
. “What the devil are you shouting about?”

“The bloody bastard gave us the cut direct, that’s what
. Didn’t have the decency to acknowledge a lady’s presence. Why, I ought to—”

“That’s enough, Colin,” Lucy said, reaching for his arm
. “Though you’re absolutely right. He’s no longer welcome in our home.”  She looked up entreatingly to her husband, who nodded his agreement.

“Damn implacable Tory, anyway,” Mandeville muttered.

“But this is not the place for such talk,” Lucy continued. “Come now, we’ll accompany Brenna back to Rosemoor House. Henry, please...” 

“Of course
. Come, Rosemoor. Perhaps a drink or two in my study will settle you down.” 

Chapter
18

Brenna watched as Lord Mandeville led Colin away, a knot in the pit of her stomach. She reached for Jane’s arm with trembling hands. Her heart was beating erratically, her breath coming dangerously fast. She knew that Lord Barclay was an important man, an influential man. An acquaintance of Lord Danville’s. She’d been welcomed into his drawing room in Mayfair on more than one occasion, and yet today he’d looked right through her as if she didn’t exist.

Truly, she didn’t give a fig what Lord Barclay thought of her; she did not require his approval
. Such things meant very little to her. And while Colin had been anxious to restore his honor, and rightfully so, he hadn’t seemed to have minded terribly that he’d been cast from polite society. Yet she’d never before seen him so angry, so bitter. Did her own acceptance by the
ton
matter so much to him? ‘Twould seem that it did.

Walking beside her, Lucy patted her arm sympathetically
. “Oh, Brenna, I know it’s dreadful. But please, try not to take it to heart. There are still some who will believe the accusations against him, but, well... With Colin married now, things will surely begin to change. If only...”  She trailed off, shaking her head.

“Please, go on,” Brenna urged
.

“If only he’d try a bit harder,” Jane supplied
. “Stubborn fool. After the disaster at White’s, Mandeville offered to use his influence to have him restored there. But no, Colin just thumbed his nose at the efforts. Instead of White’s, he simply turned his attention to undesirable gaming hells, places where his name wasn’t so sullied. It’s a shame, really. But we thought perhaps now...now that he’s married, he would settle down and try to set things to rights.”

Lady Rosemoor nodded her head
. “The
ton
just needs a bit more time, more distance. Another scandal will surely come along soon enough, and all will be forgotten. By next Season, I’m sure everything will be as it ought.” 

Brenna wasn’t so certain
. Colin should face the accusations directly, allow her to make her statement to the club’s manager and expose Hugh and Sinclair for what they were. “Colin is a proud man,” she said at last. “’Twould seem he wishes to restore his honor himself, without the aid of others.”

“Hmm, I suppose you’re right,” Jane said, nodding
. “But how? I know that despicable Lord Thomas Sinclair is behind this.”

Brenna turned sharply toward Jane
. “’Tis true. I...I know for certain because I overheard Sinclair boast about it to...to his accomplice. He arranged to have the card planted in Colin’s pocket himself.”

“Does Colin know this?” Lucy asked, a heated flush suddenly staining her cheeks
.

“Aye
. ‘Twas why I had gone to his lodgings that day, to tell him. I went to Rosemoor House, looking for Jane, and was told she had gone to pay a call on Colin.”

“So that’s why...never mind.”  Jane blushed furiously
. “And to think, here I’d thought you’d actually taken my silly advice and tried to...well...Oh, I’m such a fool, Brenna. How will you ever forgive me?”

“Goodness, Jane,” Lucy said, pausing on the walk
. “Whatever did you do? You didn’t tell Colin that you had suggested that Brenna...well, attempt to entrap him, did you?”

Jane raised one gloved hand to cover her mouth, looking stricken
.

Brenna’s heart began to pound
. Had she? Dear lord, no wonder Colin had thought she’d manipulated him into marriage.

“Well,” Jane mumbled, tears threatening the corners of her eyes, “I didn’t specifically suggest Colin
. I think I might have put forward several eligible Scotsmen instead.”

A bubble of laughter welled in Brenna’s breast
. “Dear Jane,” she said, laughing aloud. “Please, dinna fash about it. I only wish Colin would let me expose Sinclair and”—she swallowed hard—“and his accomplice.”  She was embarrassed to admit to Hugh’s part in the scheme. Her brother, of all people.

Lucy shook her head
. “But they’d only think you supplied the story in order to clear your husband’s name. It’s no secret there is no love lost between Colin and Sinclair. No, I fear it wouldn’t help at all. It would only expose you to criticism.”

“Lucy’s right,” Lady Rosemoor said, her brow furrowed
. “We cannot subject you to such scrutiny, not even to clear Colin’s name. If it is true that Sinclair arranged to have the card planted in Colin’s pocket, then that information must come from a source outside the family. Otherwise, it won’t help matters in the least.”

Brenna nodded
. “Colin has said as much. Perhaps you’re right. Still, it angers me to know he’s been falsely accused and that I canna do anything to help him.”

“You’re a fine woman, Brenna.”  Lady Rosemoor patted her on the cheek
. “I’m honored to call you daughter.” 

Brenna smiled warmly at her
. “’Tis an honor to be part of your family, Lady Rosemoor,” she answered, surprised to realize that she meant it with all her heart.

“Oh, come now.”  Jane dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief
. “You’re both making me cry.”

Lucy sniffled her agreement
. “Aren’t I weepy enough already these days? No more, or my eyes shall be red and swollen.”

Their party continued on in companionable silence, their boots clicking rhythmically against the walk
. At last back at Grosvenor Square, Brenna stepped inside the front hall of Rosemoor House and removed her shawl and bonnet.

The butler entered carrying a silver tray laden with the day’s correspondence
. “The post, my lady,” he said to Lady Rosemoor, bowing stiffly before laying down the tray on the sideboard and disappearing from whence he had come.

“Thank you, Penwick,” Lady Rosemoor trilled, thumbing through the stack of thick cards
. “Oh, the gossip page.”  She pulled out a long sheet and unfolded it. “I’m finding it more and more unpalatable these days. Nothing but malicious supposition and innuendo. I declare, the author takes great pleasure in ruining reputations on a daily basis. Only fit for the fire, if you ask me.”  She set it down on the sideboard and headed down the hall toward the drawing room. “Shall I ring for tea?” she called out over her shoulder, Lucy close on her heels.

“Yes, Mama
. We’ll be right in,” Jane answered, then tapped the discarded page with a frown. “I wonder whose reputation has been ruined today?”

With a sudden lurch of trepidation, Brenna reached for it and smoothed the page flat
. “Only one way to find out,” she said, and handed it to Jane who began to read aloud.

“It has been noted that the former Lady M— has now been relegated to the unenviable position of Mrs. R—. How heartbroken her poor parents must be! It has been rumored, of course, that the pair was forced to wed after being discovered in a compromising situation. So, gentle reader, one can only surmise that innocent appearances can be misleading and that even the best families have their bad seeds, particularly when such a seed has been cultivated in inferior soil.
”
 

Jane’s voice trailed off, her cheeks stained an angry red.

“Aye, I suppose that answers your question,” Brenna said, her voice a mere whisper
. “
Mine
.”

***

Hours later, Colin stumbled up the front steps of Rosemoor House.
Blasted expensive brandy
, he thought, reaching up a hand to his aching head. He’d meant to refuse the snifter Mandeville had slid across the table toward him, but dammit, he’d needed a taste. Desperately. One draught of the forbidden liquid had led to several, and, before he’d known it, he’d been nearly drunk. Now he would pay the price, tonight of all nights. He’d yet to bed his bride, and now another day would pass without accomplishing it. He’d drunk nearly an entire pot of coffee, wishing to sober up before returning home, yet it was all for naught, as Brenna had no doubt long since retired.

As he entered the front hall, he noted a light from his father’s study
. He fished out his watch and flipped open the case. It was well past midnight. Curious, as his father usually retired at ten. What was he doing up so late?

As Colin stood there pondering the question, a door creaked open and a masculine voice called out to him
. “There you are, Colin. I’d like a word with you before you retire.”

“Of course, sir.”  With a grimace, he headed toward the study, returning the watch to his pocket
.

His father stood in the doorway with a cheroot, motioning for him to take a seat
. “I’ve been trying to get a private word with you ever since the wedding, but it’s near enough impossible to drag you away from all those hens flapping about you.”

“I suppose,” Colin muttered noncommittally
.

“My solicitors were here today, and the Henrietta Street town house and Kent estate are all settled now, in your name.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your generosity.”  Inwardly, he chafed at the charity, but what choice had he? He had a wife now to think of.

“Just don’t muck it up, Colin
. That’s all I ask. I’ve settled most of your debts, but I won’t bail you out again, mark my words. You’ve got a chance now to start anew, and I suggest you make the most of it.”

Colin could only nod, his chest uncomfortably tight
.

“Well now, son
. What do you have to say for yourself, a married man? You’ve done quite well, haven’t you?”  His smile was one of smug satisfaction. He reached across the table, the cheroot in his outstretched hand.

Colin leaned forward and took the cheroot, wincing as his head throbbed painfully
. “I suppose so, Father. Though I’m certain Brenna might not think so highly of the bargain.” 

“Well, when one plays with fire...”  He waggled his brows suggestively.

“What do you mean by that?”  Colin straightened sharply, groaning aloud as his stomach began to churn.

His father chuckled
. “Your mother told me just what state she found you in with your future bride. A bold little chit, I must say. Going alone, unchaperoned, to your bachelor lodgings. A brilliant plan. I’m glad to see you heeded the siren’s call.”

“I’ll have you know it wasn’t like that at all,” Colin bit out through clenched teeth
. “She did not come to my lodgings intent on seduction. Instead, she came to deliver some important information, information that I had requested. Furthermore, I can assure you she was
not
compromised, despite the state in which we were discovered. I agreed to marry her because it was the honorable thing to do, given the circumstances.”

“Hmm, quite a speech there, son
. You’ll do well in Parliament one day, won’t you? Well, no matter. The long and short of it is you managed to snare quite a catch. Largest dowry this Season I’m told, with a generous inheritance of her own from those Scots who raised her.”

“Fat lot of good it does me,” Colin mumbled under his breath
.

“I suppose you’ll also be in need of a town house in Trevor Square in which to set up a mistress?”

“Why would I want such a thing? As you’ve mentioned, I’m a married man now.”

“Married, son
. Not dead. Often a man has needs that go beyond the marital bed. No shame in slaking them with a woman of your choosing, so long as you’re discreet.”

Colin’s face grew hot
. He rose from his seat and leaned against his father’s desk, eyeing him coldly. “Are you suggesting I ‘slake my needs’ with some cheap tart, Father? Or do you only suggest dallying with one’s wife’s dearest friend, as you did? Were you so discreet with Lucy’s mother?”

His father’s face turned scarlet, his jowls wobbling in indignation
. “I told you I would never again speak of that business, Colin, and I meant what I said.”

“That
business
? Is that what you call it? Lucy is your daughter,” Colin spat out. “Did you ever think what
that business
might have done to Sarah’s life if Oliver Abbington hadn’t married her? What would have become of Lucy? Have you ever considered how Mother would feel were she to find out? You betrayed her in the worst way, you bastard, and you sit there telling me—”

His father rose to face him, his face merely inches from Colin’s
. “How dare you?” he bellowed, pounding one fist on the desk. “How dare you speak to me this way?”

Two full years of outrage sputtered to the surface, brimming over the precipice of Colin’s tightly guarded control. “How dare you put such a burden on our family
? You think I carry around this knowledge with pleasure? I can barely stand to look my own mother in the eye, keeping such a secret from her. And Lucy—”

“Lucy does not know, nor will she.”  His father’s eyes glittered coldly as they met Colin’s
.