The Perfect Impostor (17 page)

“I can’t tell you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not now. Just hold me.” Her breath hitched. “Just kiss me.”

“Now, that,” he said with a wolfish grin, “would be my pleasure.”

His hair tickled her forehead as he bent to claim her lips. He moved slowly, tantalizingly slowly, but Katrina was all out of patience and took matters into her own hands. She wrapped her arms round his neck and helped him cover the remaining distance still separating them, barely recognising herself. Wondering if she was dreaming. Here she was, initiating proceedings like a common trollop.

Their lips collided and she ceased to care. She opened her mouth wider, inviting the ingress of his tongue. At first he didn’t oblige, his lips merely played softly against hers. It wasn’t nearly enough. She was gripped with an urgent desire to blot out everything that had happened—that was still happening—during this interminable week. Leo was the only person qualified to help her, and she wasn’t about to let him hold back out of some misguided sense of honour. A fine tremor lanced through her and she took the initiative, crushing his mouth until he broke the kiss with a muttered oath.

“What the—”

“Shush, no talking. You said you would kiss me.”

His intimate smile was full of warmth. His eyes smouldered as he pulled her close and took control. His kiss turned the tremor into a desperate physical ache. His tongue tangled with hers, drugging her mind as sensation after heady sensation cascaded through her. Making her forget. This was something she’d never known and she was desperate for more.

The hand supporting her back swept across the thin fabric of her robe, making her burn. Then the robe wasn’t there anymore. She’d been too distracted to realise he’d released the belt and pushed it from her shoulders. She sat on his knee still, wearing only a thin silk chemise. He was looking at her as though he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice echoing with an earthy vibrancy.

His lips descended, pushing her chemise aside and trailing a line of delicate kisses along their path. She gasped, tightening her hands round his neck and arching her back, instinctively pushing herself closer to his lips.

He chuckled. “Patience, my little Tethys. All in good time.”

He carried her to the bed and laid her on it. And then he stripped off his clothes, demonstrating none of the patience he’d just demanded of her. She watched him, embarrassed yet unable to tear her eyes away. He was beautiful. A strong, lean torso, muscled thighs and…oh my. An erection of mighty proportions sprang large and proud from the dark cluster of hairs on his groin. She dampened her lips, unsure.

“This is what you wanted?” He joined her on the bed but didn’t touch her. “Have you changed your mind?”

Having him not touching her was intolerable. She needed the comfort only he could provide. But she was scared. Scared that she’d displease him. Scared that he’d hurt her.

“It will be all right,” he said, as though reading her mind. “Besides,” he added, kissing the end of her nose. “The alternative is for you to talk to me.”

“That’s blackmail!”

“Desperate men will stop at nothing,” he said, his voice a seductive purr as he ran one finger lightly across her breasts.

“I’m not very good at this.”

He laughed, a deep throaty sound that echoed round the otherwise quiet room. “Allow me to be the judge of that.”

She looked into the handsome planes of his face and saw sincerity etched deep in his features. Passion swirled in the depths of his eyes. She was responsible for engendering that passion, she reminded herself. And it was enough. Quite suddenly she knew he was right. This
was
what she wanted and she had no intention of depriving herself. With all doubts quelled, she offered him a tremulous smile.

“Very well,” she said.

She reached out a hand and touched his chest. His own hand descended upon hers, guiding it, persuading her to touch him in the way that he liked to be touched. His pleasure communicated itself and she was almost ashamed of her deep awareness, her acute sense of oneness with him. He rolled over, his body hovering mere inches above hers as he supported his weight on his elbows.

And then it started. He stripped off her chemise and kissed every inch of her. Slowly. Seemingly immune to her pleas, he examined her from head to toe, placing kisses and delicate nips on the soles of her feet, on her ankles, the inside of her thighs, her belly. Then he worked his way up to her breasts, ignoring the place she most wanted his lips to awaken. Heady passion gripped her when he took one swollen nipple between his teeth. Neither of them had spoken since she’d agreed to go forward with this but words were hardly necessary. He clearly sensed her need and knew precisely how to satisfy it.

By the time he parted her thighs and entered her, she was more than ready, all doubts about her ability to accommodate him dispelled. She lifted her hips to meet him, thrashing her head from side to side as he plundered her body, picking up the pace until she’d taken him all and they were moving in perfect harmony. It felt heavenly.

Nothing could have prepared her for such exquisite bliss. Something that wouldn’t even have occurred if she’d had time to think about it rationally. Katrina was suddenly very glad that the ability to think had deserted her as soon as Leo knocked on her door.

Something had changed. Leo had picked up the tenor. His thrusts were almost primeval. She could see the muscles standing out on his forehead and understood that he was struggling to remain in control, waiting for her. Waiting for what though? Katrina had never achieved sexual gratification and was unsure what came next. Until Leo drove even deeper still. Her eyes flew open as sensations assailed her and she fragmented. Ecstasy gripped her, and she was aware of him watching her reaction before he too reached his peak, sweat peppering his brow as he convulsed wildly inside her.

Afterwards she lay wrapped in his arms, incapable of movement, feeling as though every bone in her body had melted.

Leo picked up her hand and kissed the back of it, his tongue lingering. Which brought her back to earth with a resounding thump. She snatched her hand away, shrinking from his touch. What in the world had she done? Feeling defenceless in her nakedness, she pulled the covers up to her chin, wondering what to say. How to explain her lapse. How to make him leave.

“What is it?” he asked, seeming genuinely bewildered by her abrupt withdrawal. Hardly surprising since she was the one who’d instigated matters, all but throwing herself at him.

“We shouldn’t have done that.” She spoke with her face turned away from him.

“You found it disappointing?”

It would be so easy to lie. “No, you know I didn’t, but it’s not something I usually do.” She curled into a defensive ball, her back to him. “Please leave.”

“Not until you tell me what this is all about.” He placed a gentle hand on her hip but she shook it off. “You owe me an explanation.”

“I owe you nothing.”

He cupped her face in his hand and looked at her intently. “Don’t shut me out, Tethys.”

“You’ve had your fun, my lord,” she said, shaking her head to dislodge his hand. “Now, just leave me be.”

A sharp intake of breath. “Very well, mystery lady. If that’s what you really wish.”

“Thank you.”

She felt his weight shift as he sat up, and had to quell a ridiculous desire to beg him to stay. To apologise for insulting him, tell him everything and have him make her problems go away, as she was sure he’d be able to do.

“You do realise, of course, that I’m not the only person here who knows you’re a fraud.”

He spoke in an annoyingly casual drawl. She didn’t believe him. He was merely saying that because he wasn’t used to being so summarily dismissed. Even so, she reacted instinctively. With a gasp she sat bolt upright and dropped the covers, no longer caring about her nakedness.

“Who else knows?” she asked.

“I’d be surprised if Gower hasn’t rumbled you. I get the impression that he and Julia are rather more than mere acquaintances.” He spoke with bitterness, causing Katrina to wonder about his true feelings for Julia.

“She sent him a note saying she would be here without the marquess,” she blurted out.

“Even though she knew you would be here in her place?”

“I assumed she’d sent the note before we agreed to swap places, but Gower implied when he spoke to me yesterday that the note was sent just a couple of days ago.”

“After you arrived?”

“Apparently.”

“Why?” He was pacing the room, apparently unconcerned by the fact that he was still as naked as the day he was born. Well, he was probably used to parading himself in front of women he barely knew. Katrina didn’t want to be impressed by his physique but didn’t seem able to pull her eyes away. “What did she hope to gain by it?”

“I know not.” She shook her head. “I wish I did.”

“Where is she?”

Katrina shrugged. “I don’t know.”

He turned to look at her, clearly not believing her. “If I am to help you, you must be honest with me, Tethys.” His words were underlined with an infinite gentleness that almost robbed her of her resolve. “You may be assured of my discretion.”

“Don’t interfere, Leo. You’ll only make matters worse. I can handle this. I don’t need you to fight my battles.”

“Like you handled Dupont?” There was now a chilling cast to his expression. “By sharing Gower’s bed, as well?”

She glowered at him. “Is that what you think of me?”

“What else is there to think?”

“You might credit me with more moral fibre and a little ingenuity. Men are easily gulled, especially when they’re foxed.”

“I might believe you had you not been so ready to jump into bed with me.”

“Get out!” She picked up Jeb’s hateful tankard, still full of wilting flowers, and threw it at him. It caught the side of his arm and clattered to the floor, rolling off into a corner and coming to stop against the wall. “Just go!”

He shot a scathing glance her way as he picked up his clothes. “With pleasure.”

Leo resisted the childish impulse to slam the door behind him and was still pulling on his clothes when he gained the corridor. No one was about. Just as well because he’d been too consumed with anger to check that the coast was clear before leaving Katrina’s room half-dressed. He cut through the empty passageways. Most of the guests would be resting before the ball. All to the good since in spite of his diplomatic training, he doubted whether he’d have been able to address a civil word to anyone in his present turbulent frame of mind.

What the devil did this woman think she was about? He employed some colourful language. She’d thrown herself at him, calmly claiming afterwards that it had been a mistake and taking umbrage when he pointed out the incongruities in her behaviour. His intentions had been noble for once. He’d only gone to her room because no one had seen her all day. She was out of her depth with this deception and he was concerned about her. Gower
did
suspect her. He was a dangerous predator, and she needed to be warned.

Leo flung open the door to his own chamber and this time did allow it to slam closed behind him without thought for the people resting in the chambers to either side.

In spite of her enthusiasm for their coupling, he really didn’t think she was a jade. She’d been terrified when she looked out the window and saw someone watching her. She’d just wanted him to hold her. And then she’d wanted more.

Or was it him? He honestly couldn’t say for sure. All he knew was that he’d never desired a woman more. The attraction between them had been gaining momentum all week. He’d be a fool to pretend otherwise. Had he really supposed that nothing of an intimate nature would pass between them if they were alone in a bedchamber?

Leo blew air through his lips. He was to blame for the events that had occurred. How could he have treated her with such discourtesy afterwards when it was clear she was in need of reassurance, not censure?

She’d been hurt by some brute of a man, presumably her husband. She wasn’t the sort to climb into bed with any man who took her fancy. But she had enjoyed it, Leo would bet his fortune on that. She probably felt guilt now, which would partly explain her reaction. He should have taken more time to talk to her and get to the bottom of her problems.

Julia had persuaded her to take her place but now seemed to be deliberately setting obstacles in her path. Someone about the place was watching her window, scaring her half out of her wits. It wouldn’t be Gower. He wasn’t given to lurking beneath windows and would take a more direct approach. Anyway, Leo didn’t think he’d scare her as much as she had been that afternoon.

She would now be the main attraction at tonight’s ball, auctioned off like a prize heifer to the highest bidder for the privilege of a waltz. And he himself had suggested it, even knowing she wasn’t the real Julia. Was it any wonder she’d taken to her bed for the entire day? Feeling entirely responsible for her predicament, he vowed to do whatever he could to help her.

Even if she didn’t want his help.

The door opened to admit Boscombe. He took one look at Leo and stopped dead. “What you been up to then?” He smirked. “No, don’t bother to answer that. It’s obvious. Who’s the lucky lady then?”

“An ageing dowager with rotting teeth and sickly constitution.”

Boscombe chuckled. “Mind my own business, in other words.”

“Precisely.”

“Fair enough. The water’s on its way up for your bath. Looks like you need one.”

“Any strange servants hanging around the place, Boscombe?”

“Of course there are. What a bloody daft question. The house is full to the rafters and all the guests bring their retainers with them. Can’t manage without ’em even for a few days, the helpless sods.” Boscombe rolled his eyes. “God knows where they’re all going to sleep. It’s bedlam below stairs, I can tell you.” He paused. “Not only that but Dawkins has taken on some extra local help for the week so no one really knows precisely who everyone is. Not even Dawkins, although he pretends he does, of course.”

“So someone intent upon making trouble could easily mingle?”

“I’d say so.” Boscombe scowled. “Is that how they do it then? The thieves, I mean. Make the most of the mayhem to do their dirty deeds and slip out undetected.”

“Possibly.”

But Leo wasn’t convinced that the person watching his Tethys had anything to do with the thefts. The water arrived and he stripped off his clothes for the second time in the space of an hour and attended to his ablutions. “Anything to report about the activities of our suspects’ servants?” he asked.

“Not yet, but like I said, it’s hard to keep track of them all amongst the chaos. The chit who cares for Mrs. Nugent hasn’t done anything untoward though, that much I do know.” He chuckled. “Well, nothing that would interest you anyway.”

It was Leo’s turn to roll his eyes. “I won’t bother to ask how you can be so sure.”

Boscombe grinned. “You did tell me to keep a special watch on her, and she’s quite a pretty little thing when she bothers to smile, which ain’t often.”

“A watch, Boscombe, only a watch.”

“I’ll have you know I used my initiative.”

Leo didn’t want to know what else he’d used but had a feeling that Boscombe would give him chapter and verse anyway.

“Nice little pair of plums she’s got under that buttoned-up bodice and prim exterior. Ripe for the picking they were. Feels out of place, she does, what with everyone looking down on her mistress. I felt duty bound to make her feel better about herself.”

“Just so long as you didn’t leave her with any lasting memories.”

“‘Course not. I’m not that daft. I shot it all over her little plums.”

Leo couldn’t help smiling. Until a thought struck him and immediately wiped the smile from his face. He, it seemed, didn’t possess his servant’s good sense. Far from withdrawing, he’d ejaculated deep within his little Tethys without a thought for the consequences. How could he have been so stupid? He’d never forgotten himself like that before.

He needed to talk to her. To make sure…to make sure of what, precisely? There was nothing he could do about it now and she wouldn’t know for a while if he’d impregnated her. But he couldn’t just leave it. He had to make her understand that if it came to it, he wouldn’t shirk his responsibilities.

“Tonight’s the night,” he said, wrapping a towel round his waist. “The duchess is here and so is her tiara. Is everyone in place?”

“Aye, milord.”

“And they all know what to do?”

“‘Course!” Boscombe looked highly affronted.

“Just checking.” Leo grinned. “Seems to me you’ve been distracted, what with one thing and another.”

“Think I can’t jiggle a silly maid and still carry out my duties?”

“Jiggle? What a charming turn of phrase you do have. All right. Just make sure everyone remains vigilant.” He shot Boscombe a sideways glance. “Which means no more jiggling this night.”

“Aye, duty first, I suppose.”

“You suppose right.” Leo tied his neckcloth to his satisfaction and slipped his arms into the sleeves of his ebony evening coat, pulling it into place over his crimson silk waistcoat. “I don’t anticipate the theft will take place tonight. All the others have occurred on the day following the ball when everyone sleeps late and the house will be quiet. But even so—”

“Even so, I shall stay alert.”

“Good man.” Leo took a last look at his profile and turned towards the door. “I shall go down now. You know how to contact me if you need me.”

“Bit early, aren’t you?”

Leo was well aware of that but he wanted to be there when Julia’s impostor made her entrance. He needed, somehow, to make things right with her before the ball got underway.

As the guests congregated and Tethys didn’t make an appearance, he almost thought she wasn’t coming down. It was just a few minutes before the guests were due to take their seats, and couples were already making their way towards the extended dining room when a commotion made him look towards the stairs. She was descending slowly, head held high, an enigmatic smile playing about the lips he’d so thoroughly kissed just a few hours before. Conversations ceased and a few gasps were heard. Hardly surprising since his Tethys was wearing a daringly revealing gown quite unlike anything he’d seen before. She looked astoundingly beautiful. Already he could detect envious whispers being exchanged between some of the ladies.

When she finally reached the vestibule, there was a veritable stampede of men trying to reach her. Leo wasn’t amongst their number. But he was watching. Closely. As though sensing his eyes upon her, she looked in his direction. And quickly looked away again without acknowledging him. Leo sighed. He clearly wasn’t forgiven.

Lord Marshall claimed the right to take Julia into dinner. No one seemed to notice that it might be construed as an insult that he didn’t escort the duchess, who was squired by an elderly earl she was known to favour. Leo was equally relieved when he saw Gower offer his arm to Mrs. Nugent, flashing a grin over his shoulder at Leo as he did so. As happy as he could be about the seating arrangements, Leo had no complaint to make when Sarah Ainsworth materialised at his side.

“Shall we?” He proffered his arm.

“Most certainly.”

Leo glanced at his one-time paramour’s midnight-blue ball gown, her full breasts spilling out of the bodice in a fashion he would once have considered enticing. “Very becoming.”

“Bah!” She flapped a hand. “I thought so too until Lady Dupont upstaged us all with that glorious creation. Only she can carry it off.”

“You’ll still give her healthy competition.”

“That’s as may be. All I know is that the gentlemen will dig deep into their pockets for once in order to win a waltz with her in that dress. I dare say she’ll raise fifty guineas or more.”

“You make her sound like a horse.”

Sarah smiled. “Do I? It wasn’t my intention. It’s clever of our host to escort her in, don’t you think?” Leo did think, especially since he’d had the foresight to arrange it. “It will make all the others that much more desperate for a share of her later. Shall you be amongst the bidders?”

“Probably not.”

“Not up to the competition, eh?” She shot him an amused sideways glance. “Anyway, I shall ask her for the name of her modiste. If I can get anywhere near her, that is.”

“She’ll probably enjoy sharing that information with you. Ladies take such pleasure in talking about fashion.”

“Do stop being so polite, Leo.” She flapped a hand beneath his nose. “There’s nothing worse than a former lover treating one with respect.”

Leo laughed. “Then what would you have me say to you?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Something salacious and quite wicked. There hasn’t been nearly enough wickedness at this party. Well, if there has, I know nothing of it. I feel positively ancient, being excluded from all the sinful behaviour.”

“The party isn’t over yet.”

“True. And in that gown, Lady Dupont’s only asking for trouble, so there should be ample scandal to keep the tabbies’ tongues exercised.”

Leo quirked a brow. “It’s not like you to be so catty, Sarah. I thought you left that sort of behaviour to the women who have no other weapons to fight back with.” He glanced at her breasts. “It seems to me you’re still well-endowed with the necessary weaponry.”

“Talking of which,” she said, seating herself at the chair he was holding for her and taking her time to arrange her skirts, affording him an even closer view of her décolletage, “how is your particular weapon? Not rusting through lack of use, I feel assured.”

Leo barked a laugh, drawing the attention of several of their fellow diners. Sarah was never one to mince her words. If he couldn’t sit anywhere near his little impostor, then dining with Sarah would be an enjoyable alternative. “In perfect working order, I thank you.”

“That’s what I feared,” she said, pouting. “I knew it the moment I looked at you.”

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Sarah.”

“Fiddlesticks! You know perfectly well. You have the smug look about you. The one all men acquire when they’ve just dipped their wicks.” She smiled at him. “Come on then, Leo, who is she?”

“You’re quite mistaken.”

“Oh very well then, have it your way.” She grinned. “You always were one to play your cards close to your chest. An admirable trait but disastrous when it comes to keeping the rumour mill greased. Attract that footman, Leo, and have him pour me some more wine, will you. If you won’t flirt with me, or reveal the identity of your latest bedfellow, then I might as well get intoxicated.”

“And miss all the scandalous activities?”

“Perhaps, with a little Dutch courage to fortify me, I shall create some scandals of my own. I’m not quite in my dotage yet.”

Leo offered her an indolent smile, half his attention on the non-Julia seated on Lord Marshall’s right-hand side. “So I observe.”

“That tiara of the duchess’s is quite hideous. All those vulgar diamonds. And it must weigh a ton. Shouldn’t be surprised if she develops a permanent crick in her neck.”

“It’s reputed to be worth a fortune.”

“Even so, it does little for her.”

“Your daughter seems to be getting along well with Mrs. Nugent’s boy.”

“Oh, don’t say that and ruin my evening. The wretched child has developed a
tendre
for him, and I can’t possibly let her marry the son of a Cit.”

Leo laughed. “Sarah, you are the world’s biggest snob.”

“I know, darling. Isn’t it glorious!”

* * *

Katrina focused on what Lord Marshall was saying to her, trying to formulate a witty riposte. The strain was already giving her a headache. She ought to have been flattered by the reception she received when making her entrance. Instead she was seething at the way Celia had manipulated her. Again. Katrina had made it clear that she didn’t want to be late and draw unnecessary attention to herself. Celia assured her that she wouldn’t be. None of the ladies arrived at these affairs until the last minute. If she was too early, all the gentlemen would accost her. The mere thought of Leo Kincade getting anywhere near after the shameless manner in which she’d treated him was enough to make her heed her maid’s advice.