Lady Thornhill turned to Thea. “Yes. She is the image of you.”
He studied the duchess then Thea. The resemblance was remarkable. Thea's features were a younger, more rounded version of her grandmother's, who was still an extremely good-looking woman.
Thea gave her grandmother a perplexed look. “I didn't realize you and Lady Thornhill were so close.”
“Silvia is my goddaughter. After her mother died, I sponsored her for her first Season.”
Dom stifled a groan and stepped forward. The pieces fell into place like a puzzle he'd just solved. No wonder Thea was so self-possessed and appeared at ease in almost any situation. He caught her eye, motioning his head slightly toward her grandmother.
She held out her hand to him. “Grandmamma, may I introduce my betrothed, Lord Merton? My lord, my grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Bristol.”
The older woman regarded him with a gimlet eye. “Merton, I never thought to see you here, yet, I am delighted you are.”
He could hardly believe this charming woman was the Duke of Bristol's mother. A more bitter man Dom had yet to meet.
He took the hand she offered and bowed over it. If that was a test, it appeared he had passed. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
His plan to treat Thea's relations with the proper amount of well-bred condescension, thereby depressing any overly familiar behavior on their part, shattered. For a moment, he had trouble taking it all in. Her family connections could hardly be a secret, but no one had said a word to him. Even Alvanley hadn't known.
Her Grace regally inclined her head. “You two run along. I am sure you have more interesting conversations in which to take part.”
Thea tucked her hand in his arm. “Thank you, Grandmamma.”
His betrothed led him to a window seat on the other side of the room from the artists. “I'm glad to see you, but what brings you here?”
“My mother, and finding a drawing master for Tom.”
Her brows drew together. “Still no word from his family?”
Dom shook his head. “Nothing and what is strange to me is that Tom never asks. He takes it as a matter of course that his father will return whenever he arrives.”
“He
is
in the army. Perhaps that is just the way of things for him. Grandmamma said Lord Stratton is an odd egg.” Thea pulled her lush bottom lip between her teeth and Dom wanted to ravish her mouth. “You don't mind that Tom may be with you for a while yet?”
“You mean be with us if no one claims him before his father returns.”
Her gentle smile tugged at his heart. “I am not bothered at all. The fact is that I'm growing quite attached to him.”
“As am I.” Which was part of the problem. “The longer Tom is with me, the harder it will be to give him up, and he would be better off with his family.”
“Not if they do not want him.”
Her tone was so fierce Dom ceased his casual perusal of the room and stared at her. “You think there is some sort of break with the family?”
“If not, then why were Tom and his mother not residing at Stanton House or at one of the estates?” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “The earl has a number of properties. Surely one of them could have been given over to her, particularly in her condition. Do you not remember that was one of Mrs. White's requirements? That there be no close family.”
“I'd forgotten.” Although how he could have was a mystery to him. He prided himself on his memory. Yet when he was with Thea, he had trouble thinking of anything but her. “It appears as you've done some research. What else did you find?”
“I had it all from my grandmother. She did not know much about Tom's parents' marriage. However, she did say his father is second in line to the earl, and, although the heir has been married for several years, they have no children.” Her eyes filled with concern. “Grandmamma also said Stanton is in poor health.”
“Rather than continuing to attempt to contact the earl, perhaps I would be better served to find his heir. Do you have any idea what his name is?” Thea was right, something was seriously wrong and the sooner he discovered what it was, the better. The boy should be with his family.
She lifted her eyes briefly to the ceiling. “Were you not made to learn the peerage?”
“I always thought”âhe gave her his most charming grinâ“I would marry a woman who would know. Failing that, I have a copy of Debrett's around somewhere.”
“He is Viscount Cavanaugh. His main estate is in Norfolk.”
“In that case, I had better send a letter to him.”
She tucked her small hand in his. “Thank you. I knew you'd take care of it.” Sliding off the seat, she stood before him. “Come. Let's take a stroll to the picture gallery. I think there is a small portrait of Grandmamma.”
As she led him away, he considered sending a missive to Tom's maternal grandfather as well. As soon as Thea or his secretary discovered who that gentleman was.
Once they'd left the drawing room, she turned the subject. “Have you found an appropriate house for the ladies yet?”
His mother, Thea, and he had agreed that a property close enough to London to be convenient, but far enough away so the ladies did not have a fear of discovery would be just the thing. “I have my secretary reviewing the listings. I had forgotten that I'd sent my steward away for a few weeks to Norfolk, or it would have already been done.”
“Naturally, they would like to relocate as soon as possible. Most of them are afraid to go out, and the house holds bad memories for them.”
They had reached the long gallery. With the number of guests he'd seen, he was surprised to see it was devoid of people. Thank the Fates, they were finally alone.
Dom turned to take Thea in his arms, then stifled a groan. No matter how he felt, he must do everything in his power to keep his hands off her. He could not allow lust to control him.
Chapter Nineteen
Dotty hoped Dom would not notice or mind her slight stratagem. Grandmamma did say there was a painting of her and Lady Thornhill's mother somewhere in the house. Yet having already been in the gallery, Dotty knew it had a number of alcoves and was usually empty. Anticipating his touch, her body warmed.
After they'd traversed the wide corridor, she stopped at the far end near a niche wide enough to hold a full-sized statue. “It must be somewhere else.” She faced him, and placed her palms on his broad shoulders. “Dom?”
He swooped down, capturing her lips.
“We shouldn't do this here.” His voice was rough as granite.
Boldly, she stroked his tongue with hers. Her fingers dug into the silky waves of his hair. “Why?”
Dom's palm cupped her derrière, drawing her against him. “Anyone could come in.”
Sighing, she allowed her body to melt into him. “We are betrothed. We will be married in another week.”
“Would that we were married now, then I wouldn't be in a public place with you.”
Dotty clung to him as his other hand caressed the side of her breast, causing her nipple to pucker. When he brushed his thumb over the tight nub, fire shot through her settling in the sensitive place between her legs and making it throb. She pressed against him, wanting something, relief of some sort.
Moaning, she tried to snake a leg around his, but was frustrated by her skirts. The sharp pulsations increased and a high sigh escaped her. “Dom, I need . . .”
“What, sweetheart? What is it you want?”
“I don't know. My body is aching.”
“God, Thea.” He sounded if he had trouble getting the words out. “You'll be the death of me.”
He parted her legs with his and pressed his thigh against her mons. For a few moments the throbbing intensified. Just when she thought she couldn't stand anymore, she started to tremble, and her breathing hitched. Dom increased the pressure as wave upon wave of new sensations rolled through her. A moment later she flew apart.
Fusing his mouth on hers, he swallowed her scream with a kiss.
Dear Lord, what
was
that and when could they do it again? As he removed his leg, she slumped against him.
Dom held her. “We cannot do this anymore. Not until we're married.”
That was not at all what she wanted to hear. She pressed soft kisses along his jaw. “But I liked it.”
A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. “That you did bodes well for our future. However, if we do not stop, I'll end up taking you before the wedding.”
What was so bad about that? The idea of being able to make the choice appealed to her. Granted there were risks, but how likely was it that Dom would die before they married? She knew about the act itself from a discussion she'd had with the wife of one of her father's tenants.
Of course, the real question was how Dom would react when she told him she did not wish to wait. Then again, it might be better not to give him warning. There was enough time to convince him once her parents arrived and she moved into Merton House.
Holding his gaze, she reached up to smooth the back of his hair, and pressed her lips to his. Something lurked in the back of his eyes as he ran his tongue along the seam of her mouth, urging her to open.
Then his face shuttered, and he stepped back. “We must return to the drawing room, or someone will come looking for you.”
Drat the man
. This was going to be harder than she'd thought. She straightened her gown. “There. Now no one need know we did more than look at pictures.”
When they returned to the drawing room a few minutes later, the crowd had almost doubled in size. She searched for her grandmother and finally found her with a group of older ladies, including Lady Merton and Lady Shirring. Which must mean Miss Turley was present.
After the morning visit she had made, Dotty had discussed the conversation she had overheard with Charlotte and Louisa. In the end, they decided that Lady Manners was the instigator and Miss Turley too easily led. She was certainly too biddable for Dom. Still, the reason Lady Manners had wanted her cousin to marry Dom remained a mystery.
The window seat was occupied, as were all the chairs and sofas. Large brightly colored pillows had been added to the seating, but even they were taken up by young men and some of the bolder ladies.
She led Dom to an empty corner. “I think Miss Turley is here.”
His dark golden brows drew together. “What makes you say that?”
“Her aunt, the Countess of Shirring, is with my grandmother and your mother. She came to Town to take charge of Miss Turley.”
“After the trick she tried to pull, it's about time someone did.”
Dotty hadn't thought he would be happy, but she had never realized he would still be this upset. “I do not think it was Miss Turley's doing.” Or perhaps he was being gruff because he had wished to marry Miss Turley. Was that the reason he'd pulled away in the gallery? If he truly did not want her, Dotty would release him.
Raising a brow, she lifted her chin. “In any case, if events hadn't turned out as they did, we would not be betrothed.”
Dom had been studying the room, when the challenge in Thea's voice brought his gaze back to her. Damn. This was one of those moments other men complained about, that he had never thought to have. The problem was he had been listening to the music of her voice, and only half hearing her words. Was something wrong with their engagement? A martial light flared deep in her green eyes, and he instinctively knew there was only one response. “I want you.”
Her countenance relaxed, and she smiled again. “I do wonder why Lady Manners wanted the match so badly.”
He shrugged. He'd had all his prospective brides investigated. Their families were financially sound and there was no hint of impropriety concerning any of them. “Prestige. Her father is a viscount and the title isn't that old.”
Thea's brow shot up again.
Good Lord, this . . . whatever they had was fraught with hidden pitfalls. He would not call it a love matchâhe had vowed he wouldn't fall in loveâbut it damn sure wasn't a marriage of convenience. There was nothing remotely convenient about his Thea. Brothels, kittens, lost children, and fallen women. He felt as if he were sinking into a bog. And who knew where it would end? Not he. Not only that, but after meeting her grandmother, he had given up any hope that he would be able to control her.
Before Thea could comment, he said, “Her family would naturally want to look as high as possible for a husband.”
She mumbled something about her father and gave her head a little shake. “Not all ladies try to trap a gentleman.”
Thank the Lord. He was on solid ground again. “True.”
“There she is . . . with a young man.”
“Her brother, Mr. Turley.”
Her lush lips formed a slight moue. “Yes, I see the resemblance. I wonder if they will notice us.”
“I hope not.” Dom enjoyed having her to himself, even if it was in a salon crammed full of people. At least no one was asking her to dance or if she wanted refreshments.
Mr. Turley glanced in Dom and Thea's direction, then bent to his sister. She blushed and shook her head. He must have said something else as the next thing she did was nod, and they started straight for him.
Dom's jaw clenched.
“Be nice,” Thea murmured. “After the rumors that have been started, the gossipmongers will watch how we behave.”
What gossip? He'd not heard anything. Although he had not been around any of his friends lately, or at White's. He tightened his grip on her arm.
She smiled and held out her free hand. “Elizabeth, how good to see you.”
Miss Turley shot him a frightened glance and focused on Thea. “Dotty, thank you. I know so few people here, but my aunt insisted we come.”
He and Turley gave one another brief nods.
“Turley.”
“My lord.”
“Oh, Dotty.” Miss Turley smiled brightly. “May I present my brother, Mr. Turley? Gavin, this is Miss Stern.”
Had the brother been involved in the trap? Was that the reason Miss Turley had been arguing with him that evening?
As he bowed over Thea's hand, the man's smile seemed genuine enough. “My pleasure, Miss Stern. Allow me to wish you and Lord Merton happy on your betrothal.”
Thea turned to Dom. The expression on her face was so joyful his heart crashed around in his chest to know it was for him. And she was right. If it hadn't been for Lady Manners's machinations, he would have been back at Merton rather than marrying Thea. He grinned at Turley. “Thank you. We are extremely pleased.”
He nodded and addressed Thea again. “Elizabeth told me how kind you've been to her.”
“My dear sir, it is easy to be agreeable to someone as good-natured as your sister.”
For a few minutes they discussed the weather and the number of Lady Thornhill's interesting guests.
Finally, Turley said, “Miss Stern, it was a pleasure meeting you. I can see why Lord Merton is so happy.”
Miss Turley nodded as she took her brother's arm. “Yes. I think you have made the perfect match.”
As Thea was thanking them and saying good-bye, it struck Dom that he was happy. Happier than he had been since before his father's death.
As the couple left, he murmured, “That went well and should put an end to any remaining talk. I might need to have my secretary send Lady Manners a thank-you note.”
“My lord.” Thea's eyes widened in mock horror. “Are you making a joke?”
He had to think for a moment, then he chuckled. “I guess I am.”