Underground Captive (75 page)

             
"You're right, of course, Jared.  I just need to give Mary and Elizabeth one last instruction for tomorrow's meal."

             
Before Jared could object, Nicki freed herself of his hold and headed back to the kitchen.

             
"Nicollette! I will wait in the carriage.  If ye are not out in five minutes, I

will come and carry ye out!"

             
"
Oui
,
mon amour.
"

    *  *  *

             
"I'm not at all pleased at yer tardiness, Nicki," Jared growled, when they started out for Crescent Wood, settled inside her white and gold coach.  "Don't let it happen again."

    
             
Nicki cuddled up to him.  Her hands massaging his thighs, she kissed his lips and nibbled at his ear.  "I love you so much, my love," she cooed sweetly.  "I'm sorry we're going to be late for the ball."

             
She kissed his jaw, her tiny, soft hands continuing their torturous seduction, massaging and caressing Jared’s hard arousal.

             
He moaned.  "If ye keep this up, we won't make the ball at all."  He

drew in a breath.  Capturing her hands, he brought them to his lips for a kiss.  "Behave yerself, angel, or ye will indeed miss yer ball."

    
             
"I will behave if you promise you're not angry for my delays," Nicki crooned.

    
             
"'Tis all right, Nicki," he grumbled.  "'Tis just that ye must make me understand yer reasoning for being late to yer own ball."

    
             
"Well, I just want everyone to be there when we get there,
cheri
.  They will all be bursting with curiosity.  I don't want one guest embellishing to a late arrival the reasons for my condition," she drawled, sweetly innocent.

    
             
Jared smiled at her.  "I understand, sweetheart.  Ye're not nervous, are ye?"

    
             
"
Non
," she said with a sigh, slipping her arm through his and resting her head on his shoulder.  "I have you at my side."

     *  *  *

             
In the huge ballroom, the two magnificent chandeliers swing
ing low over the dance floor blazed with hundreds of small candles.  Their flames danced like fireflies and reflected on the clear glass.  The butler stood in the doorway, grandly calling out the names of the guests as Charles, Antoinette, Blanche and Michel stood in the receiving line to welcome them.  At the moment, the room held at least two hundred people but it didn't appear the least bit crowded.

    
             
Nicollette's slave orchestra struck up a tune.  The guests passed through the receiving line and entered the ballroom without pause.  Glancing around the great room in anticipation, they seemed disappointed at not seeing the guests of honor.  Their smiles frozen on their faces, they gazed with open curiosity at their hosts.

    
             
Ricard, having left the receiving line after ten minutes, watched in amusement from his vantage point in a far corner of the room.
             
Good for you, Nicki.  Let them sweat.
  He took a glass of champagne from a tray offered by a passing slave, and went once again to join his father, bowing lavishly as he passed a pretty, young, Creole girl.  The girl giggled at his antics and hurriedly walked away.

             
Outside on the winding pathway, the liverymen, after a busy evening, were finally able to take a respite.  An hour later, the last carriage arrived.

    
             
Zeke opened the door and Jared stepped out, turned, and as
sisted Nicki down.  They went up the stairs and into the foyer.

             
"Evenin', Miz Nicollette, Masta Jared," the doorman said, taking Jared's

great coat and Nicki's wrap.

             
They walked to the ballroom entrance.  George, the butler, with more importance than was necessary, loudly announced their arrival above the din of conversation and music.

             
"Lawd and Lady Flemin', sevin earl o' Lizmo', Lizmo' Scotlan'."

             
Audible gasps, then sudden silence, followed.  All eyes turned toward the

handsome couple.  Jared's gaze scanned the room and rested on Ricard, who grinned slyly, nodded his head, and raised his glass in salute.  The chatter started again.  The guests, clearly bewildered and disbelieving, stared brazenly.

             
Charles rushed to meet Jared and Nicki.  "You made it!" he said with great

relief.  "I was so afraid something had happened."

    
             
"Nonsense, Pa Pa.  What could happen?"

    
             
"Come, you two.  I would like to announce your marriage to everyone present." Charles led them to the middle of the ballroom floor.  "
Mesdames
and
messieurs
," he began, "may I have your attention?"

    
             
Instantly, they all stilled to listen. 

    
             
"Most of you already know Jared Fleming.  Some of you, like myself, became acquainted with him through business dealings, and like myself, only knew him as a carriage builder.  But he's more than that, as you just heard George proudly announce.

    
             
"He's more than just an earl,
mesdames
and
messieurs
.  He's also a hero.  He saved my daughter's life.  She saw the face of the Black Rider.  Were it not for Jared, the brigand would have killed her.  But since he was free to roam around, a fugitive most wanted, Jared sought to keep Nicollette under his own protection at his heretofore unknown horsefarm, with his many Scottish servants.

    
             
"While there, they fell in love and were married by a priest on sabbatical from Philadelphia.  And, as you can see, their union is already proving fruitful.

    
             
"Once again, let me take the pleasure of reintroducing my new son-in-law and his bride, my daughter.  I present to you the seventh earl, and his countess, of Lismore."  Charles smiled proudly, raising a hand to indicate Nicki and Jared.  "
Mes amis
, Lord and Lady Fleming."

    
             
A wild roar of approval and a round of applause erupted as well-wishers surrounded them.  The men showed a new respect for Jared and questioned him endlessly about his noble background.

    
             
"I knew it!  I just knew it!" Louis expostulated.  "I knew there was something different about you, Jared.  I...I mean, your lordship."

    
             
Jared laughed, patting Louis on his back.  "'Tis still Jared, Louis."

    
             
Louis chuckled, at ease once again.  "I am honored to be your friend."

    
             
Jared and Nicki shared the first dance, after which most of the young maidens clamored for a dance with the handsome lord.  Jared dutifully obliged and whirled each one once around the dance floor as Nicollette watched.

    
             
Power surged through her as envious eyes scrutinized her and wagging tongues whispered.  If there was any sincerity given in the approval bestowed on them tonight, she realized it was from the men. 
Oui
, she felt the power of her position.  And knew she would be looked upon now in an entirely different way.

    
             
She glanced in Jared's direction.  A bland smile etching his face, a hint of bored annoyance hovering in his eyes, he nodded distractedly as the woman he whirled around the floor spoke to him.  From Nicki's viewpoint, the young woman he danced with didn't appear to notice.  She continued her chatter, ceaselessly.   Nicki smiled sympathetically at Jared when she caught his gaze.  He winked at her, the annoyance briefly leaving his eyes, and gave her an intimately caressing smile.

             
"You're glowing,
ma petit
," Blanche said, coming up behind her.

             
"I know," Nicki murmured, turning to her
tante
.  "Where's Minette?"  

    
             
"The Clemenceaus couldn't make it, Nicki.  They sent their warmest regards.  Minette said to tell you that she'll see you as soon as possible.  She has a lot to tell you and she wants to hear all about Jared, the man who rescued you from the Black Rider and prevented your visiting her."

    
             
Ricard bowed chivalrously before his sister.  "My Lady Fleming, may I have this dance?"

    
             
Placing her hand in Ricard's and making a semblance of a bow, she nodded her acceptance.

    
             
"Nicki, you're radiant," he said tenderly as he waltzed her around the room.  "It does my heart good to see you so happy, little one."

    
             
"Oh, Ricard! I've never been so happy," Nicki gushed.  "Jared is wonderful.  And I love him so.  Knowing you and Jared settled your dif
ferences without bloodshed has added to my joy."

    
             
Ricard laughed and kissed her on the cheek.  "Your Lord Flem
ing is an extraordinary man, Nicollette," he said sincerely.  "You're very lucky to have found him."

    
             
Nicki smiled at him, noticing his sadness but not commenting on it.  They fell silent.  After waltzing with her brother, she stayed on the dance floor for the next half-hour.  She danced with her father, Louis Aupre, Gerard Dureau, and finally again Jared, who then ordered her to sit and rest.  Blanche and Antoinette, along with several other ladies, took Nicki and went out on the back veranda to engage in conversation.

    
             
Jared got no such respite, practically dancing with every female in the place, maidenly and matronly alike, before finding himself at the liquor table, standing next to Ricard.

    
             
"I never thought I could ever be a friend of yours, Jared."  Ricard chuckled.  "But judging by the parties you throw, I think I could correct that thought, your lordship."

    
             
Jared narrowed his eyes at him.  "I take it 'twas yer idea to have George introduce Nicki and I the way he did?" he asked pleasantly.

    
             
"Guilty.  I couldn't resist it.  Those vultures were clamoring for gossip.  I knew Nicki wanted to make a point by coming late and facing everyone at once when you were introduced.  But not as plain Jared and Nicollette Fleming.  I convinced my father to introduce you by your title.  And it worked out fine.  All the ladies ended up hating Nicki for landing the mys
terious lord of Lismore.  And, of course, the gentlemen wish they were the lord of Lismore.  If for no other reason than the lady of Lismore."

    
             
Jared grinned.  "Ye Duplantiers are a scheming lot--" 

    
             
Ed
mond Falgout and Charles walked up to them, preventing him from finishing.

    
             
Ricard bristled at the interruption.  Jared eyed Edmond coldly.

    
             
Edmond smiled, his gut twisting with hate.  "Well, I don't believe anyone was more surprised than I, Fleming, both at your marriage and your title.  Congratulations."

             
Jared merely nodded his acknowledgment.

    
             
"Edmond is in need of cash.  When the Black Rider burned him out a few months ago, it nearly wiped him out," Charles ex
plained.  "All my capital is tied up.  I've told him I can't help him at this time."

    
             
"What Charles is trying to find out, Jared, is if you would be kind enough to sign a bank loan for me.  I'm sure after tonight's revelation, no one will turn me down with your signa
ture as collateral."

    
             
"I'm afraid we'll never know that, Falgout," Jared said coolly, "since I don't in
tend to put my signature on any documents of any kind.  No of
fense to ye.  It's just against my policy."