Scandal of the Season (5 page)

“Get to the truth.”

“Truth about what?”

“Everything,” he answered ominously.

He walked toward her slowly. Victoria glanced around for an alternate means of escape. Being two stories up, with the door blocked by an angry man, she could only retreat. She continued to step backwards until her legs hit the large bed. Why had it taken her this long to realize he had her in a bedroom? His bedchamber from the looks of it.

“What do you want from me, Somerton?”

A small half smile lifted his lips upward. “What’s mine.”

Victoria swallowed the lump in her throat. He could not possibly know about the necklace. Oh God, what if he did? She was never one to let panic overtake her but suddenly her world spun around her. He must never discover where she’d put the necklace.

“I have no idea what you mean,” she said evenly.

He stepped close enough that she could inhale the scent of his sandalwood soap. “It was gold with rubies.”

She pushed away all her anxieties. She could lie her way out of this situation. “And why would I have such a thing? I am a poor woman who cares for orphans, nothing more.”

Why couldn’t she take her gaze off his lips?

“Indeed? So if I were to rummage through your home, I would find nothing that matched the item that I am looking for?”

She stared at him. “Go ahead and check my home, I do not have your necklace.”

Suddenly, he pushed her back against the bed and confined her with his body. She thrust at his shoulders until he seized her wrists and pinned them over her head with his hand. She felt his other hand reach down to her reticule and grab the contents.

She twisted under him trying to break free only to feel his erection pressing into her thigh. “Let me up!”

He chuckled softly near her ear. “Are you certain? There are just so many possible things we could do.”

“I do not have your necklace.”

“I never said it was a necklace.”

Anthony watched the play of emotions on her face and tried not to laugh. She was, without a doubt, attempting to formulate a believable lie. He’d promised his mother that Genna would receive the necklace on Christmas morning so she could wear it on her wedding day planned for New Year’s Eve. That only gave him a few weeks to find it or have her return it to him.

“All right,” she said with a shrug. “You caught me. Now what?”

He blinked and shook his head slightly. Had she really just admitted her guilt that easily? He rolled off her to sit on the bed. “I beg your pardon?”

“Perhaps I did take a necklace from you. Do you plan on telling the constable?”

How had this slip of a woman turned the tables on him? He’d expected pleading, crying, perhaps even a suggestive bribe to keep him quiet. Not the goddamned truth.

“Should I?” he finally replied.

“Not if you want your necklace returned,” she said with a hint of a smile.

“You are holding my necklace for ransom?”

She slowly stood and walked a step away from him. “It’s a rather brilliant plan, don’t you think? After all, you have no idea where the necklace is. For all you know, I might have pawned it.”

Somehow, the chit had read him that quickly. She knew the necklace was important to him. Damn her. There was only one thing to do—bluff.

“The necklace is not that important. Still, you did commit a crime, so I think I shall take your advice and call a constable.”

She eyed him carefully with one blond eyebrow arched. “Then do it. And you will never find out where the necklace is because I would never be so foolish as to keep it in my home. Only I know who is storing it for me.”

He rose and took a step closer. “And what about your friends? What will they say when they discover you are a pickpocket? And that they don’t even know your real name, Anne Smith.”

She visibly swallowed and then retreated a step. “If they are truly my friends, they will understand.”

Anthony shook his head. “They are ladies of quality. Their husbands would never allow them to come near you or associate with you ever again.”

“Then it appears we are at an impasse.”

“I really don’t see it that way,” he commented.

“What do you really want, Lord Somerton? There is more here than just a necklace.” She crossed her slim arms over her chest.

Anthony sighed. If he ever wanted a mistress, she would be exactly his type. Shrewd, beautiful, and with the ability to keep him guessing. She was the perfect woman to take on this assignment with him. Except, the only way he could have her accompany him was as his mistress.

And that was a dangerous proposition.

Still, short of absconding with one of his mother’s ladies, he knew of no one who wouldn’t be looking for something more out of the situation. He only needed a woman to pretend to be his mistress. This little charlatan might be just the thing. She obviously needed money or she wouldn’t have pinched the pendant from him. Paying her would also absolve some of his guilt for what he’d done to her.

“Very well, take a seat.” He pointed to a chair near the window. For once, she did as he asked without a fight.

Once she sat, he started, “I have a proposition for you, Miss Seaton.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do,” she said softly.

“Not in that manner. Well, in a way it is in the manner you believe.”

She stood up as if thinking about walking out of the room.

“Sit down, Miss Seaton,” he ordered gruffly.

“What do you want from me?”

“I need some assistance with a slight problem I have. And I believe you are the solution to my issue.”

She tilted her head and a blond tendril fell across her face. She blew the hair out of her eyes. “What is your problem?”

“I need a mistress,” he admitted quietly.

She smirked. “Oh? And you think I will just fall into bed with you because you are a viscount and you made me an offer?”

A part of him wanted to throttle her while another part wanted to reach over and kiss her smart mouth. He did his best to ignore both urges. “In order for me to attend a party in the country, I need a mistress.”

“Well, I have to admit, I have never heard this excuse before.”

“I would like you to assist me.”

“And what do I get out of this?” she asked, staring over at him.

He arched a brow at her.

“Do not even think I will be your mistress in truth. What do I get out of this?”

“If you perform this job with me and return my necklace, I will give you my word not to speak of your criminal activity. Nor will I tell your friends your true identity.” As she started to object, he added, “And I shall give you five thousand pounds.”

Victoria’s mouth dropped. His offer was more than generous, it bordered on madness. She would have done this job for one hundred pounds. After being raised on the streets of London, she knew there was more to this than he presented. Five thousand pounds was a bloody fortune!

“Why so much money?” she demanded. “What else do you expect of me?”

“Think of it as an apology for my previous actions toward you,” he muttered.

Guilt. She might be able to use that if needed. “Very well. I would still like to know what you expect of me.”

He sat on the end of the bed. “All right, as I said, you would need to attend a week long party with me.”

“As your mistress?”

“Yes, but you may use an assumed name. I doubt very many people amongst the
ton
know you.”

“A few but not many,” she admitted. “Still, I do not like the idea of people assuming I am your mistress. If word of this gets out to my friends…”

“You mean the ladies Selby, Blackburn, and Kendal?”

After all her words discouraging them from taking a man to their bed, they would be horrified. “They must not discover what I am doing.”

“There is no other way.” He glanced away from her. “None of your friends would associate with anyone attending this party.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“I see. If you think I will allow you any advances, you are mistaken.”

His face tinged slightly. “I would not expect that of you. This would be strictly a business arrangement. But realize that we will share a room and likely a bed.”

Victoria closed her eyes. Sharing a bed with him would be a difficult task. Just being in the same room with him had her heart beating erratically. But five thousand pounds would keep the children clothed, fed, and warm for a very long time.

“I will do it.”

“We will need to leave on Thursday.” He perused her from head to toe. “I shall pick you up tomorrow for a day of shopping.”

Victoria looked down at the rug. Until she had that money, she could not afford to spend a farthing. “I cannot—”

“I will pay for the dresses.”

She nodded slowly. “I will need to hire someone to help out with the children while I’m gone.”

“Whatever expenses you incur because of this, I will pay for them.”

“Very well, then.” Victoria needed to leave this room. The overpowering essence of him was driving her mad. Seeing him again after all these years served to remind her of her initial feelings for him. She would have done anything for him then. And had.

Even today, she could have rejected his proposal. He had no proof that she stole the necklace. While most people didn’t know her personally, her works of charity stood out in this sordid town. No one would believe the rake. But instead of standing her ground, she gave into him like a weak coward.

She had to remember that her true reason for doing this had nothing to do with him. Only the children mattered. She would be able to give them a true Christmas with a few gifts and a large holiday meal. She could even bring in some sprigs of holly on Christmas Eve to make the house look more festive. All things she never had the money to do before now. But more importantly, the money from this would keep them in coal and food for a very long time.

“I should take my leave now,” she finally said. She rose and walked toward the door.

He caught her wrist before she could reach for the knob. “Victoria, there is one more thing.”

She inhaled sharply and turned to face him. His blasted grip was so tight she couldn’t get him to release her.

“Oh?” she replied.

“While in private, I promise not to touch you. Nonetheless, during the public aspect of this party you may need to get used to me touching you to make this believable.” He dragged her closer. “I might even have need to do this.”

He closed the distance between them and lowered his mouth so quickly she had no time to fight him. And the hot sensation of his mouth on hers made her realize that she didn’t want to fight him. She had to resist him no matter how much she wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and press her body closer to his.

His tongue slipped across her lips as if searching for a sign of surrender. She could not give in to the desire seeping into her veins. Victoria moaned slightly. This is how everything started the last time, one simple kiss. Remembering that painful scene forced Victoria away from him.

“As I said,” he muttered in a husky voice. “You shall have to get used to it.”

“I do not think that is possible.”

“You will pretend you enjoy my kisses or no one will believe us.”

He tilted her chin up. In the pale light, his eyes were almost dark green, with no sign of hazel. And he was too handsome by far. She would need to shore up her defenses if she was to be that close to him again.

Victoria twisted her chin out of his grip and took a step toward the door. “Don’t worry. I’m certain I can act the part of the doting mistress.”

“Well, seeing your proficiency at lying, I wasn’t too concerned.” He moved and placed his hand on the door. Then he reached for her spectacles and removed them. Holding them up to his eyes, he laughed scornfully. “Just as I thought. Another lie.”

She grabbed them out of his hand and placed them firmly on her nose.

“You will leave them home. No mistress of mine is going to look like a bloody bluestocking.”

“As you wish.” She reached for the doorknob only to have his large hand cover hers.

“There is just one more thing,” he whispered harshly. “I despise liars. From this point on, you will only speak the truth to me.”

She smiled. “You ask me to pretend to be your mistress yet you believe I should always tell you the truth.”

“No, I insist on it.”

Victoria stared down at his hand. “As you wish, my lord. But I demand the same respect.”

“Of course.” He turned the knob and opened the door. “I shall pick you up at noon for shopping.”

Slowly, Anthony walked to his study, wondering at his sense of melancholy. Perhaps it was the usual feeling that came over him every December. He couldn’t remember anything good ever happening in this month.

Still, his meeting with Miss Seaton went better than expected. Although, had she given him the necklace, he would have been happier. He understood her reasoning and most likely would have done the same thing in her situation. Now she knew she had something to hold over him.

He just prayed she didn’t realize the other thing she could use against him. If she knew the guilt he felt for his actions of ten years ago, she could use it to her advantage. He would be unable to refuse her anything. She must never discover the extent of his guilt.

He sat down at his desk and perused the stack of unopened mail. A few invitations he might reply to but most of it was nothing he could be bothered with. He put the notes into a pile and wrote “no” on top. Huntley also served as his secretary and could respond to the invitations for him.

“Sir,” Reese said from the doorway. “Your sister is here.”

“Genna?”

Reese smiled. “She is your only sister, sir.”

Well, not quite but no one else knew about Sophie. “Send her in.”

He stood knowing his sister would come straight into his arms. The sound of light footsteps preceded her entry.

“Tony!” And as expected, she threw herself into his waiting arms. “I cannot believe it’s been five months. And why didn’t you come by the house to see me?”

He detached himself from her clinging arms. “Come have a seat on the sofa.”

“I already told Reese to bring us some tea.” Genna sat on the sofa and waited for him. “You must tell me all about your trip. How was Florence?”

As much as he hated liars, in his position it was sometimes necessary to be one. Soon he would be done with this business and the only lies would be the secrets of his family. “It was lovely. In addition to meeting with a business partner, I was able to see a wonderful museum.”

Genna laughed softly. “You, in a museum? Come now, Tony, you must do better than that.”

“Well, if I did anything else it would be rude to speak of it in polite company.”

Genna reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’ve missed you, brother.”

“And I you. How is your betrothed?” He waited for Reese to set the tea on the table. “Will you pour?”

“Of course.” She reached for the teapot and poured two steaming cups.

He watched, proud that his sister had become such a gentile lady. With her oval face, black curls, and big blue eyes, she was quite the thing during her Seasons. Until Lindal caught her.

After handing a cup to him, she continued, “Lindal is well but distant lately. I fear he may be getting nervous with less than a month left to his bachelorhood.”

“Lindal is a good man from an excellent family. I’m sure you are right about his nerves but he won’t do anything foolish.” Anthony sipped his tea and felt a sense of comfort. His sister was here and they had good English tea, everything was right with the world.

Genna chewed on her lower lip. He knew that look. There was more to this than Lindal. “What is really wrong, Genna?”

“I am feeling nervous, too.” She looked up at him with her blue eyes. “What if I am making a huge mistake? I tried to speak with Father about my concerns, but he just brushed them aside.”

Of course, their father would do that. He wanted Genna married off. Lindal was an earl so more than suitable for his daughter. “Why do you think it might be a mistake?”