The Perfect Mistress (26 page)

“It’s really very simple. As much as I do appreciate the sentiment, please refrain from sending me even one more rose,” she said gently.

His expression fell. “Yes, of course. As you wish.”

“I’m afraid they make me sneeze.”

He stared at her for a moment then relief washed across his face. “My apologies, I had no idea.”

“How could you? It’s not something that comes up in casual conversation and, as I said, the thought was lovely.” She paused. “There is another thing I should mention.”

He chuckled. “Another confession?”

“In a manner of speaking.” She chose her words carefully. “You should know I have two other offers for the memoirs.”

“Oh?” His brow rose and he was at once all business. “From other publishers?”

She shook her head. “No. One from a gentleman who feels the book will expose his family to scandal. And another from John Eddington Ellsworth.”

“Ellsworth?” His eyes narrowed. “Damnation.” He winced “Forgive me.”

“Certainly.”

“This is my fault.” He shook his head. “I mentioned the memoirs to him when you first brought them to my attention. But I had no idea …” His brows drew together. “He wishes to publish them?”

“Not exactly.” She shook her head. “What he wants is a collaboration of sorts. He’s proposing—”

Daniels appeared in the open doorway and cleared his throat. “Beg pardon, my lady. A moment, if you please.”

“Of course.” How odd, Daniels never interrupted. She smiled at Benjamin, stood, and stepped out into the hall.

Daniels closed the door to the parlor behind her.

She studied him with a frown. “What is it, Daniels?”

“Mr. Ellsworth is here, my lady. I put him in the library.”

“Good Lord.” She thought for a moment. “Tell Mr. Cadwallender I shall be back in a moment. I’ll see to Mr. Ellsworth.”

“Very well, ma’am.”

What on earth did he want? She drew a deep breath and entered the library, leaving the door open behind her.

“Lady Winterset.” Mr. Ellsworth favored her with what was, no doubt, his most charming smile and started toward her.

“Mr. Ellsworth, this is a surprise.” She cast him a pleasant smile and sidestepped him, moving closer to the desk.

“A pleasant one, I hope.” He chuckled.

“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

“I wish to discuss my plans for the memoirs in hopes that you will decide in my favor. As well as my hopes for”—he flashed her a confident grin—“us.”

She stared. “You presume too much, Mr. Ellsworth. There is no us. Nor do I have any interest in there being an us.”

“Come now, Julia—”

“Lady Winterset.”

He shrugged. “For the moment.”

She stared in disbelief. “You are overstepping your bounds, Mr. Ellsworth.”

“Am I? I don’t think so.”

“Then you are mistaken.”

“I am never mistaken about these sorts of things. I know women very well.”

“So I have heard.”

He took a step toward her. “You can’t deny there has been something brewing between us from the very instant we met. Fate itself has pulled us together and not merely for literary purposes.”

“What utter nonsense.” She scoffed and stepped back. “Fate? How absurd. This is not one of your stories, Mr. Ellsworth. Nothing has been brewing between us nor have I felt anything that could possibly be termed ‘brewing.’ There is nothing more than a proposal of business between us.”

“And I assure you I am still interested in the memoirs. Now more than ever. In truth, the more I consider the idea of a partnership with you, the more I think it will prove profitable.” He moved closer. “And quite delightful.”

She moved back. “I don’t think so. And I have no interest in anything with you that may be remotely called delightful.”

“Dear Julia.” He heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I realize you’ve always been the epitome of propriety, the proper wife and that sort of thing. You’ve always held your emotions in check as is expected of a proper lady. But those days are over. You’re a widow and you’re free now to indulge your wildest passions.”

“My wildest passions need no indulgence, but thank you for the offer.”

“The publication of the memoirs will bring a certain amount of notoriety and—”

“You said you would keep my name out of it.”

“I said I would
try
.” He shrugged. “These things are difficult to keep secret, you know.” He smiled and again took a step toward her. “As are your feelings for me.”

“Mr. Ellsworth.” She huffed. “I don’t mean to be rude but I have no feelings for you aside from, at this moment, complete and utter disdain.” She backed up until she felt the desk behind her. The blasted man had her trapped. “And I would appreciate it if you would desist coming any closer.”

“You protest too much, my dear.” He cast her a wicked smile. “It does no good to try to dissuade me from what we both want.” He was scarcely a handswidth away from her now. “You want me, Julia. I saw it in your eyes the other night.”

Wasn’t this exactly what they had warned Portia about? “What you saw in my eyes was nothing more than an appreciation for your work.”

“Now that is nonsense although it is my best work.” He chuckled modestly.

“Then surely you understand how I, or any woman, might be swept away by the … the … passion of your words.”

“It’s not the first time.” His gaze traveled from her eyes to her lips and back. “I am going to kiss you now. It shall be as two stars colliding in the heavens.”

“Stars colliding?” She laughed in spite of herself. “A bit overdramatic, don’t you think?”

“Possibly,” he murmured. “But it’s a very good line. And I am still going to kiss you.” He leaned closer.

She leaned back until she was practically sitting on the edge of the desk and braced one arm behind her. The last thing she needed was to lose her balance. “I warn you, I shall slap your face if you try.”

“Well worth it I think.”

“Very well then.” She raised her hand and let it fly but Ellsworth caught it and pulled her against him. He jerked her off the desk and into his arms. “And now, Julia.” He heaved a long-suffering sigh, as if he hadn’t believed a word she’d said. “At last, I am going to kiss you.”

“No, you’re not.” She struggled against him but he was far stronger than he looked. Who would have imagined a man of letters would be that solid? If she hadn’t been trapped between him and the desk she might have had some room to kick him. She had no choice. He would get his kiss but the moment he released her she intended to do just that. As hard as possible and, with any luck, the vile man would limp for a week.

“Oh, but I am.” He bent his head toward hers.

A hard voice sounded from the doorway. “Oh, but you’re not.”

By God, he was right!

It was the first thing that popped into Harrison’s head at seeing Julia in Ellsworth’s arms followed immediately by a stab of jealousy so fierce it took his breath away. Even though it was obvious she was not there willingly.

Ellsworth froze and Julia pushed against him.

“Unhand her at once,” Harrison said through clenched teeth.

Ellsworth released her far slower than Harrison would have liked. Julia drew a deep breath, turned, and without warning kicked the author, hard. Harrison cringed.

“Ouch.” Ellsworth grabbed his leg and hopped. “Why did you do that?”

“Because you deserved it!” Julia glared at the man.

“You said you’d slap me.”

“I was indulging my wildest passions! And you deserve far more than a mere kick. You should be thoroughly thrashed.” She glanced at Harrison. “Thrash him, Harrison.”

“Me?” Harrison stared. What was that about wildest passions?

“Yes, you. You are my friend, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then as my friend, you need to defend my honor. You keep saying that I need to be protected. This is your opportunity to protect me.” She jerked her head toward Ellsworth. “Go on, thrash him.”

“Whatever for? You did say you could take care of yourself,” he said without thinking. Her eyes narrowed in a menacing manner and he realized his mistake. Now was apparently not the time to point out her independent nature. And he would much prefer she not direct her outrage toward him. “However, as I am your friend, if you wish me to thrash him, I shall be delighted to do so.” He started to take off his coat, all the while assessing Ellsworth as an opponent. It had been years since he had engaged in fisticuffs, not since his school days. If he remembered correctly, he had received as good as he’d given. Still, while Ellsworth might be an inch or so taller than he, Harrison was confident in his own state of fitness. He could, no doubt, best the author and enjoy it as well.

“Now, now, that’s not necessary.” Ellsworth rubbed his leg again then straightened. “We are all civilized here. There is no need for violence.” His gaze met Harrison’s and there was a definite warning in his eyes. “Is there, my lord?”

“Hah!” Julia scoffed. “I feel a very great need for violence, nor do I feel the least bit civilized.” She glanced at Harrison. “Well, go on.”

“He may be right, Julia,” Harrison said slowly, pulling his coat back on. In truth, he would like nothing better than to pummel Ellsworth into insensibility. But the look in the man’s eye was unmistakable. Harrison knew as surely as if the writer had said the words aloud, Ellsworth would tell Julia of their arrangement given half a chance. “We are civilized and this should be dealt with in a civilized manner.”

“Civilized?” She stared in disbelief. “His behavior was not the least bit civilized!”

Indignation colored Ellsworth’s face. “I may be many things, Lady Winterset, but I am unfailingly civilized.”

“What you are is nearly as arrogant as he is!”

Ellsworth grinned. “Thank you.”

“It was not a compliment!”

“I say, Julia,” Harrison began, “that’s not at all fair.”

“Very well then, if you insist on being civilized.” She met Harrison’s gaze and he tried not to cringe at the fury in her green eyes. “Shoot him.”

“Oh, yes, that’s much more civilized,” Ellsworth said under his breath.

Harrison’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean: ‘Shoot him’?”

“Yes.” A hopeful note sounded in Ellsworth’s voice. “What do you mean?”

“I mean shoot him! With a pistol! Duel with him! You can’t get more civilized than dueling!”

“Dueling is illegal, Julia,” Harrison said gently.

“I don’t care!” She glared.

“I’m afraid I don’t have a dueling pistol.” Ellsworth shook his head. “Do you, my lord?”

“There might be one around the house somewhere although I can’t be sure.”

Julia’s mouth opened in disbelief.

“Would swords do?” Harrison said quickly. “I do know we have some excellent fencing swords. Perhaps I could have a servant fetch them?”

“I have to confess, I have never held a sword in my life.” Ellsworth shrugged in a reluctant manner. “So I daresay this wouldn’t be anywhere near a fair fight.”

“Good!” Julia fairly spat the word.

“And you, my lord, would look ridiculous dueling with a man who is admittedly incompetent in sword play.”

Harrison nodded. “True.”

“In addition, I have legions of admirers who would not take your running me through at all well.”

Harrison raised a brow. “Public outcry, you think?”

“I should hope so.” Ellsworth huffed.

“I should think there would be legions of women who would applaud him and wish they’d done the deed themselves!” Julia’s voice rang with outrage.

“Again, Lady Winterset”—Ellsworth grinned in an unrepentant manner—“I should hope so.”

“Fine!” She crossed her arms over her chest and aimed an angry glare at Harrison. “Then do nothing whatsoever. Allow my honor to be besmirched.”

“Julia—”

“My lord, I did read once of gentlemen settling a dispute by means of a duel wherein the parties involved threw billiard balls at each other,” Ellsworth said helpfully.

“I have billiard balls. I shall send a servant to fetch them at once.” Harrison glanced at Julia. “Is that agreeable to you?”

“No!” Julia looked from Harrison to Ellsworth and back. “It most certainly is not! Unless I am allowed to throw them myself.” She glared at Harrison. “At both of you.”

He gasped. “Me? What have I done?”

“All I asked for was a simple thrashing—”

“Not civilized,” Ellsworth said under his breath.

“—nothing more than that.” She huffed.

“Well, you did kick me,” Ellsworth said. “Quite hard I might add. My leg is still throbbing. I shall no doubt have a dreadful bruise from it.”

“I should have aimed higher,” she snapped.

Ellsworth paled.

“I do, however, think an apology is in order,” Harrison said quickly.”

“Quite right, my lord.” Ellsworth nodded at Julia. “Go on then.”

She gasped. “You’re expecting me to apologize to you?”

“You very nearly broke my leg.” Ellsworth sniffed.

“Very well then.” Her jaw tightened. “My apologies, Mr. Ellsworth, for not breaking your leg.”

Ellsworth stared at her for a moment then grinned. “Unbridled passions. I knew it.”

“Wildest passions, if you please,” Julia said sharply.

Harrison drew his brows together. “I don’t like the sound of either unbridled or wildest passions.”

“You wouldn’t,” Ellsworth said under his breath.

“Unless you intend to thrash him or shoot him or skewer him, you have nothing to say about it. It’s just something Mr. Ellsworth said. Something absurd.” Julia waved away the comment. “I suppose it’s for the best, you not thrashing or shooting or skewering him, that is. The servants would talk and it would be all over town in no time. Which would inevitably lead to scandal.” She met Harrison’s gaze. “And we can’t have that. Can we, my lord?”

Oddly enough, scandal was no longer his greatest fear but he nodded. “I would prefer to avoid scandal.” Harrison’s gaze met the other man’s. What was he doing here anyway other than attempting to seduce Julia? He had his money. He should be out of her life. “I suspect, Ellsworth, you have overstayed your welcome.”

“So it would appear.” Ellsworth drew a deep breath and bowed slightly. “My dear Lady Winterset. You have my deepest apologies. You’re quite right. I misread your passions for my work for passions of another kind.”