Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) (6 page)

Hector smiled, ‘Well dinner it is, we will have it early. ’

Up in her bedroom Phillipa lay disconsolately on the settee, ‘Really Venetia this is much ado about nothing.’

‘Well dearest, he did take care of you, and he is well known by Hector. Seems they are in the same regiment.’

‘Yes, so it appears. However, now we have to put up with them at dinner.’

‘But he told you to rest, you can hardly—

‘But I can, as you see I am quite fit.’ She did not say that she found the physicker quite exciting; neither could she tell her friend that she was still tingling from his touch. Why indeed when he stopped to examine her                                                                                        throat, his lips were dangerously near, so near she wanted to kiss them, and as for that faint stubble, she wanted to run her fingers along it. As she thought of it, she felt a ripple stirring in her stomach and running through to her thighs.  Good lord did he have that power over her body? She had not experienced anything so powerful, not even at the London season.

‘No I am determined to dine downstairs this night. If do not make an appearance, that clodpole of a brother-in-law will certainly be at my door.’

‘So he is still causing you distress?

‘Yes, his brains are in his balls; he pinches me so hard he leaves a mark. My abigail has remarked upon it. I just say I bumped into something, but, she knows; Mary is no fool.  I hesitate to tell the dowager, she is such a dear, and it would upset her greatly. She is aware he can be obnoxious, but knows not of his wandering hands, so she just smiles indulgently and calls him her naughty boy. As for Hector, he would be livid, and I do not want to be the reason for tearing a family apart.’

‘Tis so difficult Pippa, but as you say he is only home on leave, then he will be gone for months on end again.’

‘Yes but the dreadful thing is, he is travelling with us to Brussels, but at least the twins will be with us. We will share the same day suite for the voyage. You too will follow us shortly will you not?’

‘I fear not.’ Venetia hung her head.

‘Dearest, I noticed something was wrong, but thought to wait until you told me. Tell me what troubles you?

Venetia rose from her chair and walked over to the window. ‘Straight after the wedding, Horatio is to travel to places unknown, he cannot even tell me, tis of the utmost secrecy.’

‘You mean he’s a —’

‘A spy? I know not, and he can hardly tell me that. All I do know is that I will be unable to join you, Henrietta and Isabella in Brussels.’ Her voice trembled and Phillipa saw tears brimming. ‘I am to stay with his mama and the earl after the wedding.’

‘Oh Venetia, I am so sorry, why did you  not tell me sooner.’

‘I was going to, but it is your wedding party, and I did not wish to cast a dark spell over it.’ 

‘I would be more upset if you held such sorrow to your heart, and did not share it’

‘Come let us think of lighter things; we can talk another time of this.  As it is I know very little and therefore, coming here has helped to lift the disappointment.’ Turning from the window, she returned to her chair, and curled her legs beneath her.

‘Very well, let us talk of our physicker.  I must admit I was ready to land Delmare a facer, when he played with my skirts; him and his Canterbury tales; it was not needful to lift my skirts at all. Why even old Doctor Duntworth examines me without removing the sheets.’

‘Hmm, be that as it may, it was fortunate he was there; say you broke a limb.’

‘Yes, I suppose, but nevertheless, Vinny. I am determined to attend the dinner tonight. I was thinking of the rose red sarsnet with a cream tulle drape. It was a special present from mama for my trousseau. It is indeed the first stare of the mode. I think I shall wear it tonight';’, it also has the Valenciennes lace on the hem.’ 

‘The latest fashion? Oh how lucky you are Phillipa. You will be nonpareil this evening; it will show off your dark hair and eyes to perfection. Are you sure you are not taken with the handsome physician?’

‘Of course not, I shall not think of it. I must remain true to Hector.’ Yet even as she said the words, she felt a twinge of guilt.  Those  sapphire eyes and dark lashes rose in  her mind, and she could still feel the strength and breadth of those strong shoulders as he carried her, she felt her body flush as she remembered the feel of his strong hard thighs as she laid across him in the carriage. Sighing, she pulled the cord to summon Mary, to arrange her hair; maybe just a few long tendrils falling down her neck would be quite attractive.

Venetia uncurled from the chair. ‘I too must ready myself for tonight; Horatio does love my hair pulled up  into a tousle  of curls, and I think to wear, the dark blue velvet with the cream puffed sleeves and an  overskirt of cream machine net tulle .’

‘That would be quite stunning Venetia; the puffed sleeves are quite the thing now.’

They both giggled,  ‘Well  we might as well have our last little flirtation, soon we will be married, so a little bit of fun will not go amiss.’

The dowager invited only half a dozen guests, among them, Miss Eloise Templeton who looked so graceful in a cream silk dress covered with a fine machine-net tulle with van dyke points; her coiffure was a la mode with a centre parting, a crown of curls and ringlets either side of her lovely face. 

Phillipa sat opposite Lord Delmare, whilst Eloise sat between him and Lieutenant Wilkinson. Venetia sat a little way down the table beside the irrepressible Vicar Thomson and across from him the amiable Mrs. Rawlings. The dour faced dowager ....was absent and replaced with a very elderly lady with a ready smile, and a twinkle in her faded blue eyes. It was evident she did not approve of the empire line and wore an old fashioned Mantua of black crepe. Phillipa blushed, as Delmare raised his glass to her, his eyes creasing into a smile, his teeth very even and so white. ‘To you m’dear, I did not expect to see you downstairs this night. I admire your fortitude.’

‘Why thank you my lord, I must admit you are correct in your prognosis of the abrasions; I am indeed sore and ache somewhat. Nurse applied some ointments and dressings, which have made me fairly comfortable.’

‘Please call me Damien. So you retain a nurse in your household?’

‘Not I, the dowager, the nurse is an old retainer. It appears that with such a large family, there were always cut and bruises and minor accidents, even now she has the twins, Amelia and Lily and young Edwin.’

‘Did I hear my name spoken? ‘Amelia called seated some places down the table.’

Phillipa leant over across Hector. ‘Yes dearest, I was talking to the good physicker here.’

‘You have not yet told me how you fell afoul of the promenade dearest,’ Hector said.

‘Well you did disappear rapidly to play snooker Hector, and then barely put your head around the bedroom door.’

‘Hmm sorry m’dear, Venetia was with you.’

‘T’was an accident; we went to see the Pavilion, and decided to view the bathing machines.’

‘The Pavilion? It impresses you?’ Damien said with raised eyebrows.

‘Yes, Prinny has just added more rooms, in fact, a new kitchen, dining room and library, and the most elegant rotunda. ’

‘Hmm he used the Chinese and Indian style of architecture. Not quite sure I am taken with that,’ Damien said, picking up his wine glass.

The vicar joined in the conversation. ‘It used to be a hideaway to meet Mrs. Fitzherbert.’

‘Yes, that was quite a tragic affair,’ Eloise said joining in.

‘Hmm quite a forward lady if I might say so,’ said the vicar, almost crossing himself, but adjusted his vicar’s collar instead.

Not so, vicar.’  Phillipa said, ‘In fact, the prince was quite mad about her, t’was he who did all the chasing – yes besotted with her.’

Venetia poked her head around her dinner partner, ‘Yes; he stabbed himself when she refused to show any interest. In fact, he commanded her to present herself to hm. Again, she refused, but others managed to persuade her when the Duchess of Devonshire agreed to be her chaperone. She was very concerned about her reputation you see. She found the prince lying drenched in his own blood on the bed.  Well, the upshot was she agreed to accept his ring as a pledge of their alliance.’

‘Oh, how shocking,’ muttered the vicar.

‘Yes, ‘Venetia continued, ‘after which; she left the country secretly escaping to the continent and stayed there for over a year and a half.’

Damien nodded, ‘Quite a tale, then he had the temerity to marry her against the rules of the Catholic Church and the government.’

Amelia broke up the conversation, as she called out to Phillipa with a wicked grin, ‘Will you sketch for us tonight?’

‘Oh do,’ Damien said.’

‘No my lord, I only do some etchings for my journal.’

‘Hah, so you keep a journal?’

‘Why of course, my lord, doesn’t everyone?’

‘Yes, but not assiduously. You must let me see some drawings.’

‘I fear you would be disappointed, I—’

‘Now darling, there you go again,’ Hector said, ‘She is an excellent artist Delmare, and captures a good likeness.’

‘Then I insist you sketch me tonight. I wish I was wearing my superfine and highpoints, but never mind.’

Phillipa narrowed her eyes at Hector.  ‘Now look what you have done, you clunch.  I am most embarrassed and shall look a proper cake. Betwixt you and Amelia I am in a proper fluster.’

‘Let us not brangle over this, my love,’

Stabbing at her lobster, she felt near to tears. The last thing she wanted was to be on a show. She loved drawing, but felt herself limited, quite the amateur.

‘Look if you are overset about this, don’t worry. I am sure he will be well satisfied with your portrayal of him.’ Hector said, trying to instil confidence into her.

‘I am quite out of charcoal, and my chalks are all used up.’

‘I have some.’  Amelia, said, endeavouring to be helpful, but in fact, making Phillipa feel quite sick.

Later when the men joined the ladies, both Damien and Demetrius made a beeline for Phillipa, who tried to appear interested in a book.

‘Hah there you are, now you promised me a portrait?’

‘Hah she has better things to do than that, have you not my duck?'

Phillip looked up at Demetrius, and tried not to scowl, ‘Well I—’

‘I thought you were going to attend at an assembly?’

Delmare pursed his lips, ‘Oh yes time enough for that, we shall go along about midnight.’

‘My lord, I cannot, I was just about to join the others for a game of Faro.’

Hector looked over, ‘Don’t worry m’dear, we have another player we can call on, ‘You go ahead.’ He waved to Lady Amaryllis, as she neared the table. ‘Hah my lady, a timely rescue, you can make up our number if you so please,’ he said jocularly.

Phillipa bit her lip, why was he interfering so? Clenching her teeth, she rose from her chair, looking up at Delmare. ‘If you will excuse me, I will go and fetch my drawing materials; I remember I have just a couple of sticks of charcoal left. I will have to wear a pinafore because of the dust.’

‘So be it, but I must say you would be desirable in a sack, my love.’ Delmare murmured out of hearing of Hector.

‘You put me to the blush sir,’ she said, feeling the blood rise to her head. She averted her gaze; he was too handsome; she felt the urge to hold his face and stroke those dark locks.

Lifting her chin high, she tried to glide from the room, painfully aware of his eyes following her.  Upstairs in her boudoir, she gathered up her drawing box and wrapped a cotton pinafore around her waist.

On returning to the table, she saw Delmare seated nonchalantly toying with his drink.  Taking out her charcoal, she said stiffly, ‘I find this embarrassing, I have not done this before.’

‘Fear not, I do not expect a masterpiece, but I am intrigued.’

‘Now is not the time for etching m’dear. If you will excuse me your lordship, I shall ferret the lady away for a game of cards,’ Demetrius drawled.

Startled, Phillipa looked over to Delmare, who glowered, half rising from his chair. ‘Oblige me by leaving,’ he said, his eyes glittering. ‘Can you not see we wish to have some privacy? I mean to be closeted with her for the next couple of hours.’ He looked meaningfully at Demetrius, daring him to disagree.

Being the widgeon he was, Demetrius gave a curt bow and turned on his heel, saying, ‘If you need me dearest, I shall be at the Faro table. Do not hesitate to call out for me.’

‘I take offence at that sir,’ Delmare said quietly, his lips tightening to a thin line. ‘Explain yourself.’

Seeing he had overstepped the mark, Demetrius mumbled, ‘Just seeing the chit’s alright old chap.’

‘And shouldn’t she be?’

Seeing it was going to be more than a brangle, Phillipa intervened. ‘Gentlemen, please, desist; we do not wish to annoy the guests.’

Demurring, Demetrius strode away, a sneer on his face.

‘My dear girl, I have a mind to give that nodcock a good hiding.’

‘Come sir, ignore him; he has more hair than brains. Sit down, let us begin.’ She paused and dipped into her reticule to bring out a velvet case, from which she plucked a pair of spectacles.  Making a moue, she put them on. ‘I detest wearing these; they make me out to be such a blue stocking. But alas, I need them to make any sensible drawing.’

‘On the contrary, m’dear, you look quite fascinating, mysterious and intellectual, never a blue stocking, not with that beautiful face.’ His eyes roved over her well rounded bosom to her waist; it would be indelicate to comment on your other assets.’ 

‘Sir, again you put me to the blush.’  In her haste to end an argument, or even worse, Phillipa realized she was quite looking forward to capturing his likeness, for surely he had the beauty of a Grecian statue, with a face of sculpted angles and planes, intense eyes and a dimple in his right cheek.  Those dark curls would look wondrously dramatic drawn with charcoal. ‘Now, I want you to go into a reverie, gaze at some thing in the room and do not take your eyes from it. Remain perfectly still.’

Smiling he nodded and obediently fixed his eyes on a lithograph of horses racing across the fields. Phillipa lost all sense of time as her fingers flew over the parchment. After what must have been nearly an hour, with slight intermittent bits of conversation, she sat back surveying her work. ‘Now you can rest for a moment.’ 

Looking over to the table, she saw the lieutenant holding a handful of cards whilst gazing with adoration at Lady Eloise. Venetia sat nearby to them, her lovely face quite solemn. Phillipa bit her lip, how could she console her dear friend? Even now she sat so close to Horatio as they studied their cards.  Hearing Amelia singing a most doleful love song, she looked at Delmare. ‘Excuse me for moment, but I must have a quick word with Amelia.’

Rising, she made her way swiftly to the piano, as the last notes trilled from the girl’s lips. ‘Amelia dearest that was quite lovely, but do you think you could sing something a little more cheery; we could benefit from some gaiety.’

‘Of course dearest, why I have any number of bright ditties. I do wish you would tell me who needs cheering up though. I do love a gossip.’

‘No, I cannot my dear. Now I need to hurry back; I must look quite a sight in this pinafore. She looked down to see it already smudged with charcoal, and no doubt, she had some on her face.

She was proven right, as Amelia reached into her reticule, and pulled out a handkerchief,  ‘Excuse me dearest, it is clean, not used, but I must just brush some charcoal off your chin; you appear to be sprouting a beard,’ the girl said, ‘You only need a moustache to look like Van Dyke’s Laughing Cavalier;’

‘I am embarrassed;  Venetia already today has cleaned cream of my nose and now you.’

‘Dearest, are you enjoying the sketching?’ Hector appeared at her side.

‘Yes, actually I am glad you coerced me into doing it. I think it will be the best I have achieved so far; I know it is far from perfect, but I am quite excited with this etching. I just so wish I had a tutor.’

‘Nonsense, what need have you of a tutor, don’t exert that pretty little head of yours; you’ll break into a fever.’

‘Oh please – don’t say that. I am fed-up with you men – oh forget it.’

‘Good, now enjoy yourself my little duck.’

‘Hector, what have I told you about calling me a duck?’

‘Well I did say ‘little duck’, a term of affection m’dear.’

‘I don’t care if it’s a big duck or a little duck I object to duck. So please no more ducks.’ Tapping him lightly on his arm, she turned, only to hear Hector laugh ‘Quack – quack.’

Clenching her teeth, she returned to Delmare and sat down, peering at her etching. ‘Now let us become serious, it is beginning to take shape, and I think I shall be well pleased with this one, I was only just saying to my fiancé, I  wish I had recourse to a tutor or Master of Arts.’

‘It will be my pleasure to introduce you to one as, and when you wish. I can see that you are extremely talented.’ He said, watching her fingers flying over the paper, his face appearing bit by bit. 

‘What a pleasure it is to hear those, words, like water over pebbles.’

‘Have you the notion to paint?’

‘Yes, I would like to progress to oils,’ she murmured, putting some curls to the dark head of hair. I admire a water colourist, but I do have a passionate yearning for oils.’

‘Would your passion was for me—’

‘Oh, so you mock me?’

‘Never, you are far too intelligent for that, no it is just my poor male heart overwhelmed with your beauty, your wit, and your talent. But tell me, how are those aches and pains?’

‘Well sir, I thank you for your prompt assistance. The unguents are helping, and I think moving around eases the pain. I realized that lying down only increased the discomfort.’

‘Good, then take care not to overdo it.’

Biting her lip, she concentrated on the eyes, delicately sketching in the dark eyelashes. ‘Why thank you kind sir, but now let us continue before I lose the flow. I find that when I am in a particular state of mind, I achieve so much more’

‘Hmm, the only time I get into that state is when I hold a woman in my arms, I find I could achieve almost anything with her, were she willing.’

‘Sir, please, you—’

‘Now I will be serious my dearest girl, if we survive the coming war, then it will be my pleasure to find you a working artist who also teaches.’

Phillipa fairly glowed, as she drew the eye-catching dimple in his cheek.  If he could do that, then she would brook no opposition from Hector.

‘Now I shall have to hurry, otherwise it will not be finished.’

‘Why?’

‘I thought you were going soon, to the assembly.’

‘Hmm, it seems that Alleyne is besotted with the fair lady Eloise so I think we will give the assembly a miss. Besides, Hector offered again for us to stay overnight, and we have accepted.’

‘Oh,’ Phillipa paused, pretending to examine her stick of charcoal. ‘But, did you not say there were a couple of young ladies —’

‘Acquaintances, your beauty eclipses any maiden I have met m’dear.’

‘Now, I warned you—’

‘Just let me say this, and I shall be silent on the matter. I have a madness for you, in fact if you were  not almost on the eve of your wedding, I would do all I could to win you.’

‘You flatter me sir, now hush, hold still.’

A voice snickered over her shoulder, ‘Hmm, tis good, but you have made him out to be a dandiprat, but then there is such a likeness.’