Invitation to Passion (25 page)

Her words were greeted with silence. She held her breath waiting, hoping, longing…

“You love me? You’re sure? You’re still so young.”

“I’ve had years to test the strength of our relationship, and as soon as I reached womanhood, I realized that only with you would I be whole.”

Richard stood looking into her eyes and she hid nothing from him. “I’m not sure what I feel,” he choked out. Madeline averted her gaze but not before Richard saw the hope fade in her eyes. “I know I’ve never felt for any other woman what I’m feeling for you, but I’m petrified I’ll hurt you.” At her sigh, he added, “What if…”

“…if what you feel dies, like it did with all your other lovers?”

He nodded, too scared to speak. Would she give up on him now?

“I’ll just have to be patient then. Besides, I know my love for you won’t change except to strengthen. I’m your wife and I will love you until I die.”

A shudder of relief, quickly followed by a rush of anxiety, ran through him. “Just don’t leave me. I promise I’ll try and sort out my feelings, but please give me some time.” He prayed that what he felt for Maddy
was
real and that unlike all the other women in his life, what they now shared would not diminish. He not only owed her his loyalty as a friend, but his heart too because she was his lover and wife. He would build a life with her. “We should return to the ball before people think we’re up to something scandalous.”

She shrugged and turned to leave the terrace, halting. “Or having an argument.”

Damn that, it would not be surprising given his obsessive watching of Sarah. Had he considered that that interpretation could be given to his behavior? He had an idea. If he was clever, they could turn this to their advantage. “Perhaps we should let that assumption ride. It may help us ascertain if Sarah is involved in Charles’s death. If I can get her to think I’ve succumbed to her charms, she may lower her guard and reveal more.”

“Trick her, you mean?”

“Why not? It may be the quickest way of discounting her as the killer, or indeed, revealing that it was her plan all along to frame Timothy.”

Maddy’s smiled eagerly. “I
like
this plan. The sooner we can put this behind us, the better. I’ll return to the ball before you.” Then she slapped his face so hard it brought tears to his eyes. He watched in amusement as she shook her hand. “Sorry, but if our argument is to ring true, it needs to look real.”

He rubbed his cheek. “Remind me never to cross you, Princess.”

“I shall now walk back into the ball in a distressed state.”

He grabbed her hand as she made to leave and drew her to him for one final kiss. “Be careful. This is not a game. Whether it was Sarah, Timothy or another who killed Charles, remember they are prepared to kill to get what they want. Stay visible in the ballroom at all times. I’ll instruct Stephen to watch over you.”

“I’m not the one going into the lioness’s den. Make sure she doesn’t take a bite out of you.”

He ran a finger down her cheek. “What makes you so sure Sarah will pounce?”

Her eyes filled with sadness. “Because she’s already killed to have you and her pursuit of you won’t stop now.”

The smile he gave her was supposed to be reassuring. “Sarah can try all she wants, but I’m a very happily married man.”

For how long, she wondered. The idea that Richard could tire of her filled her with sadness. Being married to her best friend was one thing, but being married to a man who might fall in love with another, and another, and then another, would be hell. “Thank you.” With one light squeeze of his hand, she re-entered the busy ballroom.

Richard’s eyes shut briefly as he digested the conversation that had occurred on this terrace. She loved him. The certainty of her conviction was humbling, but frustrating. Why couldn’t he commit? She was his in every way.

There was no denying he did feel a desperate hunger only for her. Since learning that Sarah may be involved in Charles’s death, he lived in constant worry for Maddy. Maddy now stood in Sarah’s way. The thought of possibly losing Maddy made his stomach heave and fear inched its clammy fingers over his skin.

Was that feeling true love?

Anthony said he’d know when it hit him. He shook his head and sighed into the cool night air. Now was not the time to contemplate his feelings for Maddy. He had a killer to catch.

When he re-entered the ballroom, it did not take long for gasps and faint snickers from the
ton
to follow his path through the room. When he passed a mirror he saw the marks Maddy’s slap had left. She’d done a good job. He looked for her in the crush, but couldn’t see her. Worry filled him until a hand slid provocatively over his arm and a sultry voice whispered, “Your marriage reminds me of what mine used to resemble, a battleground.” Sarah moved suggestively against him. “She’s left her mark on you.”

He barely stopped a shiver of revulsion. How had he ever fallen for a woman with such evil in her heart? “My wife is not your concern.”

He almost didn’t notice the slight tightening on his arm. “You’re right. I’m not interested in your marriage. I’m interested in
us
.”

He turned to her and gave one of his most charming smiles. “It would appear I was somewhat hasty in dismissing a liaison with you, my dear. Madeline is a far better friend than lover.”

He wondered if he’d moved too quickly for she seemed to hesitate before a smile edged over her lips.

“I knew you were simply trying to be honorable when you tried to push me away.” Her hand slipped out of view to caress his buttocks. “Meet me upstairs in the third chamber along the corridor in half an hour. I have something to show you.”

Slowly, don’t scare her.
“That’s bold, even for you.”

“Lady Denning owes me a favor. We won’t be disturbed. And since your wife doesn’t appear to want to be near you, I’m more than content to offer comfort.”

As if on automation, he offered, “It would be my pleasure, sweeting.”

With a smile, like a gambler who had just won at high stakes, she glided off, leaving Richard decidedly unsettled. Anthony was soon by his side.

“Why the frown?”

“The more I observe her actions, the more I think Sarah is guilty.” He glanced at his twin. “How could I have been so sadly lacking in judgment?”

It was Rufus who replied. “The first woman I loved stuck a knife deep between two of my ribs and laughed as she did so.” He took a large gulp of his drink. “Men tend to think with their cocks instead of their brains when it comes to beautiful women. I’ve learned it’s far better to love what’s inside a woman rather than desire the beauty on the outside. It’s a camouflage that can hide a myriad of evil.”

The men nodded. “She wants me to meet her upstairs.” He turned to Rufus. “Since I’m now far more suspicious of the female sex, can you ensure Stephen stays with Madeline? I don’t trust Sarah or Timothy. Tell Madeline what is afoot.”

“Be careful. Vipers strike without warning and if I let anything happen to you, my sister will cut my balls off.” Rufus didn’t have to say it, but Richard was warmed by his concern.

He hesitated before leaving the ballroom. “Part of me hopes she’s simply after a romp, and that Timothy is the killer. So, while I’m gone, Rufus, keep an eye on Chesterton. We still don’t know who organized Charles’s demise.”

Anthony complained, “I’m sick of all this skulking around. Let me have a few moments alone with Chesterton and I’ll learn the truth.”

The men laughed at Anthony’s disgust of the cat and mouse game they were playing. Rufus patted him on the back. “It may well come to that, my friend. But to abuse a Marquess without proof will not endear you to the
ton
. Best we exhaust all other avenues first.”

“Speaking of avenues, if you excuse me, gentlemen, I have a liaison to attend.”

With that Richard slipped away from the crowded ballroom and climbed the stairs, his heart heavy thinking of the task ahead. If Sarah was innocent, he was playing with a pregnant woman’s heart, and he would feel the guilt for years. However, if she
had
murdered her husband, he’d still feel guilty. He should have stopped her wedding to Charles and married her. He had known she was simply honoring her father’s wishes.

Dear Madeline Knight,

Let me assure you immediately that I have no plans to marry in the immediate future. I’m not sure where you got this idea from, but be at ease.

As to terminating our friendship, I was merely being a gentleman by offering to let you out of your promise to write to me, as it was given when you were a still a child. It has not gone unnoticed that my friend is blossoming into a beautiful young woman. Soon I shall be forgotten, as many beaus will fight for your favors and eventually your hand in marriage. My only consolation is that as you are only seven and ten, I shall have the joy of your friendship for a few years yet.

Your friend always,

Richard

Once upstairs the music faded as he moved down the corridor counting doors. At the pre-arranged bedchamber, he stopped and he let his eyes sweep the corridor before he slipped inside.

The room was dimly lit with one candle and a banked fire. He waited just inside the door until his eyes adjusted. A rustle of fabric alerted him to Sarah’s presence.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come. I wasn’t sure you wanted me enough. I remember waiting for you at my wedding. I half expected you to ride in and save me, but it seemed you didn’t love me enough.” Richard fixed his gaze in the direction of Sarah’s muted tones. He stepped toward to where she stood at the end of the large four-poster bed, bracing himself for the role of lover he had to play.

“I regret that. I
should
have stopped your wedding to Charles.”

She laughed gaily. “Why?” She shook her head. “Things have evolved as they should have. I’m the widow of a Marquess, and I could be carrying the heir.”

“Indeed. You intrigue me, my sweet. What is it you wanted to show me?”

She moved to meet him as he made his way to stand in front of the fireplace. In light of the flames, he noted the sheer silk wrap she wore. She caught his stare and with a seductive smile, slipped the garment from her shoulders. He was not surprised that the sight failed to arouse him. Not so long ago, he’d known intimately every inch of her beautiful body, yet now all he wanted was Maddy.

Her breasts were apple sized, not large, but they were pert and her nipples peaked under his stare. He roamed lower over her perfectly curved waist, his eye immediately drawn to her midriff, where he was surprised to note her stomach looked as flat as it had ever been. He mentally did his sums; she should now be almost four months pregnant if it was his child. A spark of hope engulfed him and he must have let his joy show on his face because Sarah took his hand, saying, “You always did love my body. You thought my skin was as soft as silk.” She placed his hand on her breast.

He fought off his automatic recoil and left it where she’d placed it. He’d always had a man’s healthy sexual urge, and sharing intimacies was as necessary as breathing. He’d also found the emotional connection with his lovers more than satisfying, hence the reason why he rarely used courtesans.

But now his heart was full of Maddy and the idea of making love to Sarah, even though she was a stunningly attractive woman, turned his stomach.

With absolute certainty, he knew he did not want Sarah ever again. But images of Maddy beneath him in his bed, the way she tasted, her loud, satisfied moans when he moved within her, saw him grow hard.

It was unfortunate that at that precise moment Sarah’s hand rubbed the front of his breeches. “I see you remember how good we were together. Charles never satisfied me in the way you did and I’m sure it must be the same with Madeline.”

Before he could think of a reply, her arms wrapped round his neck, and she pushed her naked body against his, rubbing herself up and down his length like a cat.

Christ, how far was he expected to go? He’d thought he could instigate a slow seduction to ascertain the truth they needed. There was nothing slow about where Sarah was heading.

He felt her hands fumble with his cravat as her lips met his and her tongue snaked its way into his mouth. His jacket and waistcoat quickly followed and he was beginning to panic. How was he to slow this seduction down enough to get the information he needed from her?

“What’s wrong, lover?”

Richard sent his hands down her back to grip her buttocks, intending to lift her away. But she wrapped her legs around his hips and he had no choice but to cup her buttocks and hold her against him.

#

Meanwhile, Christopher had sidled up to Madeline, and all eyes had turned her way. Good. This could only make Richard’s pretense of renewing his relationship with Sarah seem more convincing.

“It seems you’ve had quite enough of your husband this night.”

She knew exactly what Christopher was talking about. “I assume you are referring to the mark on my husband’s face.”

“I would think you could not afford the slightest indiscretion, since everyone was watching your marriage with such interest.” When Madeline sent him a sharp glance, he smiled warily and added, “However, if you look closely you will note there is someone missing from the room along with your husband. Gossip is rife.”

As the two of them continued to converse, the crowd seemed to move in closer and closer, obviously trying to hear what they were saying to each other. If it wasn’t enough for society to think that Richard was still having an affair with Sarah, now they were assuming she had taken Mr. Hindsworth as her lover. Half the women there would most likely envy her, for he was the best-looking man in the room. His jet-black hair was swept off his face and his blue grey eyes seemed to bore straight into your soul. Tonight, rather than being wolfish in appearance, he had the look of a heartbroken poet. The crowd in the ballroom was now only too willing to believe that Madeline was consoling him, for he didn’t pay the slightest attention to any of the other females in the room. He focused solely on Madeline. For just one second, she wished that she could confide in him, so that he didn’t think she was weakly putting up with a husband who was straying. But the fewer people who knew about Charles’s death, the better.