The Rake's Ruined Lady (18 page)

‘When we last spoke you seemed determined not to come to town. What changed your mind?’

The unexpected question jolted Bea from her reflection into stuttering a reply. ‘My father...well, both of us, actually...decided we would after all like to stay with Elise for a week or two.’

‘Did the fact that Burnett was in London have a bearing on that decision?’

‘I’m not sure it is any of your business either way,’ Bea returned stiltedly, her indignation rising as a flash of white teeth in the dusk demonstrated that her tartness hadn’t bothered him.

Hugh hauled his back from the upholstery to lean towards her. His eyes slanted up at her mutinous profile. ‘Are you expecting the good doctor to sort out this evening’s mess for you, Beatrice?’ he suggested.

Bea swung an astonished face towards him. ‘No, of course not. What on earth made you think he’d offer to do so?’

Hugh shrugged, brushed a speck from a dark sleeve. ‘It’s what a gentleman does for a woman he cares for.’

Bea moistened her lips, trying to fathom his meaning. ‘Sir Colin now cares for Miss Rawlings, as you know.’

‘So he does...’ Hugh dulcetly concurred, straightening on the seat. ‘But perhaps he cares for you too.
Does
he?’ His lazy tone had turned demanding.

‘If you think that just because I went out of my way to speak to him this evening that I am trying to wriggle back into Colin’s life, then you are mistaken, sir.’ Bea’s fists were planted either side of her on the seat as though she might shoot upright at any moment.

‘You’re to be commended for treating the couple civilly. Burnett seemed pleased you had, and might approach you next time rather than the other way around. Will you encourage him?’

Finally understanding his hints, Bea gave him an icy glare. She had nobody to blame but herself for him thinking what he did. That particular seed had been sown in Hugh’s mind when she’d declared she’d sooner be Colin’s mistress than his wife. Stupidly she’d flung at Hugh intentionally wounding words, uttered thoughtlessly, and they’d returned to haunt her.

‘If you believe that Sir Colin Burnett might pay your brother off for me if I sleep with him then you are utterly wrong,’ she breathed. ‘You should not apply your own lax morals to others.
He
is a respectful gentleman, and besides he has not yet settled his own account with my father...’ Beatrice’s small teeth were suddenly clamped on her lower lip. She regretted that she’d disclosed details of Colin’s meanness.

‘Burnett owes your father money?’

‘It is none of your concern.’ Beatrice turned her head, watching the darkling street scene. She wished to be quickly home, to avoid any more awkward interrogation, yet part of her craved to continue savouring the dangerous thrill of Hugh Kendrick’s company.

‘No matter, if you’d rather not say...’ His voice was again as smooth as honey. ‘I’m sure Walter will be happy to oblige me with an answer.’

‘You will not speak to him about it!’

Her father might with alacrity take up any offer Hugh made to act as debt collector, especially once he discovered that his financial position had considerably worsened following her recklessness. There was already bad blood between Hugh and Colin. She had no intention of heightening their feud, and with it the damage to her reputation.

‘It’s likely everything is now resolved and resurrecting the matter will upset Papa.’ Bea hoped her blurted argument was effective.

‘I think you know it is not resolved,’ Hugh countered. ‘I think you intended giving your father your winnings to mitigate his losses. Am I right?’

It seemed pointless fibbing. She gave a single nod, glad the gloom concealed her chagrined blush. ‘Instead I have stupidly made things much worse.’

‘It was good of you to think of your father’s gains rather than your own.’

‘I owed it to him to try to help. My wedding expenses have left him out of pocket—’ Bea knew it was silly continuing to pretend her father had been paid up.

‘It’s Burnett’s duty to make amends, not yours,’ Hugh interrupted mildly.

‘I know...’ Bea sighed, staring at her clasped hands. ‘And he said he would.’

‘Perhaps you of all people should know that his promises are not worth the paper they are written on.’

Again Bea felt her face heating beneath his soft sarcasm. But she couldn’t deny that his criticism of Colin was accurate and well-deserved.

‘There is a solution.’

Again Hugh closed the gap between them so their heads were mere inches apart.

Bea felt her heart cease pounding, then resume with breathtaking speed. Eyes that gleamed like black diamonds in the coach’s interior had entrapped her and she steeled herself not to flinch when a long cool finger circled with seductive slowness on her burning cheek.

‘I know we’ve had our differences. I know you don’t trust me because I’ve let you down in the past.’ Hugh took one of her hands, raising it and touching his lips to her fingertips. ‘I admit I pursued you, told you I wanted to marry you, all to no end. But I didn’t lie and I withdrew from your life the moment I realised I could not raise enough cash to take a wife.’

Hugh paused, angled his head to watch her averted profile.

‘Throughout our friendship we were always very compatible indeed...in one way. I believe we still are, and I want to prove it to you.’ His hand opened, forked on her narrow chin as he turned her towards him. ‘Forget Burnett. He’s not worthy of you; he never was. I can protect you and easily deal with my brother’s spite.’ Without warning his mouth covered hers, expertly parting her lips, daring her to deny his next brutally honest words. ‘Where’s the shame in mutual pleasure, or in letting me care for you and your father?’

Bea couldn’t deny it...or him... Her mouth softened beneath his renewed wooing and when he lifted her onto his lap with a groan of frustration her instinctive resistance was easily overcome.

Hugh’s hands plunged beneath her cloak, caressing her midriff, his thumbs thrusting upwards to tease the hardening nubs beneath her bodice. Bea continued a token struggle and yet her back began arching so she might have more of his rapacious touch. It was all the permission Hugh needed to sweep his mouth down the slender column of her throat to the undulation of her bosom, tempting him closer with every panted inhalation.

‘Tell me you don’t want this and I’ll leave you be,’ Hugh growled, his breath steaming against her milky skin.

He raised his head from her naked throat to read her expression but Bea moaned, tightening her fingers on his nape, wanting more of the tantalising magic of his cool, clever mouth soothing her fever.

Hugh smiled. ‘Is that a yes to my offer of
carte
blanche
, sweetheart?’ he murmured as some of his long fingers disappeared into her cleavage, curving beneath a warm breast so he might feast on the satiny flesh with eyes and mouth.

Bea gasped at the exquisite delight of cold air and hot tongue on her sensitive nipples and when he began to draw upwards the silk of her skirts her protest was lost in an instant beneath the onslaught of an erotically demanding kiss.

His stroking fingers slipped to the smooth skin of an inner thigh, just one insinuating itself beneath the lawn of her undergarments to fondle her a fraction away from the core of her femininity.

Bea writhed against him, parted her limbs in wonderment as a tingle streaked through her veins. No man had ever before touched her so intimately, and as he fractionally entered her with a fingertip a jolt of untasted pleasure made her panic and ram together her knees. Hugh groaned a chuckle, dipping his head to skilfully suckle a taut nipple, drawing her back into his web of desire.

Bea squirmed on his lap, and when his hand again slipped beneath her skirt she made no effort to stop him knuckling the sensitive dewy bud hidden in crisp curls. She bucked her hips to nudge the instrument of her delight, allowing him to reposition her so she was straddling his body, then pressing her pelvis willingly against his solid torso. The rocking motion of the coach was tormenting her, as was Hugh’s long, drugging kiss. His tongue thrust little by little into her in time with the fingers he was moving between her legs. Bea’s whimpering gasps became louder, her body more tense as inner friction mounted towards an unknown crescendo.

‘I promise I’ll never leave you,’ Hugh whispered against the febrile heat of her shoulder. ‘Should I marry to get an heir I swear I’ll still want you in my life. I won’t abandon you, Beatrice...’

It seemed to Beatrice that his vow of loyalty came from a long way off and was intended to lull her; yet it instantly stole away her bliss. When his mouth swooped again to hers she shook her head, freeing her lips, and two small fists were jammed between them, holding him at bay.

Struggling to keep her footing in the swaying coach, she slapped away hands that would have dragged her back and stumbled against the opposite seat, skimming over the hide to huddle in the furthest corner. Tugging down her clothes, she whipped aside her face, closing her stinging eyes.

‘Your future wife need fear no rival in me,’ she croaked, feeling desperately ashamed of what she’d let him do to her. She knew just seconds ago she had been close to crying out in rapture and was thankful she’d called a halt before losing all control. Trapped in his seductive net a moment longer she might have ended up pinned beneath him on the seat, a willing party to her thorough ruination.

‘And your future husband—whoever he may be—has no rival in me,’ Hugh returned quietly. ‘So long as we adhere to the accepted rules, my dear, where would be the harm in carrying on enjoying each other’s company?

‘The harm would be in the deceit and the hurt to other people, and it is telling that you do not understand that.
If
I should marry, my husband will know he can trust me when I pledge to love and lie with only him. In return I would expect to be equally honoured.’

Hugh laughed soundlessly. ‘You are holding out for a love-match, are you, and a faithful spouse?’

‘Don’t you dare mock me,’ Bea cried. ‘You might intend seeking a wife to improve your status but such mercenary plans are abhorrent to me.’

‘I’m not mocking you, my dear. I’m impressed...but dubious you’ll get what you want. Most married couples of my acquaintance have...other attachments...’

‘Is my brother-in-law being unfaithful to Elise?’ Bea whispered. She had always admired her sister’s seemingly perfect relationship with Alex Blackthorne, and would be devastated to know it was a sham because he kept a mistress.

‘There’s always an exception to prove the rule,’ Hugh replied gently. ‘To my knowledge Alex is enviably content in every way with your sister.’

Bea expelled a pent-up breath.

‘It would sadden you to know otherwise, wouldn’t it?’ Hugh murmured.

‘Of course...Elise would be devastated. Alex is the love of her life.’

‘And Burnett...was he the love of
your
life?’ Hugh asked in a voice devoid of emotion.

‘I have given up on love...’ Bea prevaricated, gazing through the coach window.

‘You just said you would marry for love...’

Bea choked a bitter little laugh. ‘So I did, and thus will need to remain a spinster—for the likelihood of finding somebody suitable is remote.’

‘Spinsters are entitled to get pleasure from life, Beatrice...discreetly, perhaps, and with no hurt caused to anybody else.’

‘Apart from your wife...’

‘Alas...like you, I fear I might be doomed to a single life,’ he returned solemnly.

‘I have said do not mock me,’ Beatrice answered levelly while continuing to watch the stars. Her anger and embarrassment seemed to have drained away, leaving her calmer.

‘I wasn’t. I was telling the truth. Why do you feel you must deny yourself the comfort I offer?’

Hugh stretched out a hand but Bea knocked away his fingers.

‘Are you going to tell me you didn’t like what we just did?’ he taunted.

‘I’m going to tell you never to touch me again,’ Bea said. ‘Keep your empty promises and your payments for services rendered for your courtesans. They are sure to appreciate them, whereas I do not.’ She met his gaze squarely, unflinchingly. ‘You will not degrade me with your lust any more than will your brother with his malice.’

Bea glanced away from the flinty glitter in black eyes. She knew she’d angered him by thwarting him, and by comparing him to Sir Toby.

With a sigh of sheer thankfulness she glimpsed the top of Upper Brook Street and knew she was finally able to escape. One of her hands darted to the door, but she hesitated before jumping out of the coach. ‘I trust in the future you will keep to your word and leave me alone as I’ve asked you to. I know you are entitled to visit the Blackthornes because you are the viscount’s friend...’

‘Not any more...’ Hugh said smoothly over her words.

There had been no hint of accusation in his reply and yet still Bea felt suddenly guilty that the two men, companions since childhood, had fallen out over her.

‘I did not complain to Alex that you had propositioned me and I regret that he went after you, resulting in a bad argument.’ She paused before adding, ‘I told Elise what had occurred in confidence and she...’ Bea tailed off, not wanting to blame Elise.

‘Did you think your sister would not confide in...
the love of her life
?’ Hugh asked ironically.

‘It’s not Elise’s fault. She didn’t betray my trust; Alex badgered her till she hinted at what was troubling her.’

‘Have I been troubling you too, Bea?’

‘Not at all...you are never in my mind...’ She blurted out the lie while studying the sliver of moon in the navy blue heavens. ‘And I would not have you and Alex becoming worst enemies over me.’

‘You’re the viscount’s sister-in-law and it’s right he protects you; in his position I would have done the same,’ Hugh admitted tonelessly. At her questioning glance, he shrugged. ‘I’d risk that friendship again for your sake. Nothing has changed...I want you...’ He repeated it with emphasis. ‘
Nothing
has changed, Beatrice.’

‘Nothing has changed for me either,’ Beatrice echoed in a voice that had lost a little composure. ‘I have told you to stay away and hope, as a gentleman, you will accept my wishes.’