Velvet Embrace (23 page)

Dominic clearly understood Julian's position, but in spite of the warning he didn't mean to relinquish his pursuit. He hadn't had a challenge like Brie since the war, and he wasn't about to give it up now. And there was still the mystery of why she was so afraid of him.

Dominic smiled blandly. "My dear Julian, I have absolutely no intention of harming the lady. I shall be perfectly charming. In fact, I'll wager that by the time I leave, she will have no reason to fear me."

His reply was not particularly reassuring, but Julian decided not to press the point. Instead he exerted himself to make his guest feel welcome, beginning by telling Dominic what he had planned for their entertainment.

Dominic listened with only half an ear, for his thoughts were centered on Brie. He hadn't liked the fact that she had
lied
to him about her identity, and he still wasn't sure why she had done so. Some women, given similar circumstances, would have tried to force his hand. Society expected a gentleman to marry a young woman he had compromised—and being stranded in a hunting lodge, with a man of his reputation and without a proper chaperon, certainly qualified
asa
compromising situation. Not that he would ever have bowed to that kind of pressure. But Brie would have had the perfect opportunity to attempt it.

Of course she might truly be uninterested in marriage or in landing a title for herself. But Julian had to be mistaken about her level of sophistication, Dominic decided.
No
woman that beautiful could be as chaste and innocent as Julian had made her out to be. Besides, he knew from personal experience that Brie was no innocent. She might not be some elderly gentleman's mistress and she might not be particularly expert at lovemaking, but her response to him had been far from virginal.

Dominic's lips curved in a smile as he remembered the feel of that lithe, feminine body in his arms. She has responded to his kisses with her own brand of passion, very sensual and very desirable. He wanted her, despite her hot temper and sharp tongue. And he would have her, he didn't doubt. Very few women had been able to resist Dominic
Serrault
when he chose to be charming and persuasive.

Not even the haughtiest and most reluctant.

"What do you plan to do, Brie?" Caroline at last ventured.

They had ridden home without speaking a word, and when they reached Greenwood, Brie had gone straight to her room and flung herself face down on her bed. Caroline had followed, appropriating a corner of the bed while she waited for Brie's misery to diminish.

At the question.
Brie rolled over on her back and flung an arm up to cover her eyes, "I don't know," she said bleakly.

"I expect you are too upset now to reflect on the situation calmly, but in my opinion, you have only one choice."

"Murder is a capital crime,
cousin,
I don't think the satisfaction I would get would be worth hanging for."

Caroline smiled, pleased to see Brie's spirits reviving.
"That isn't what I had in mind. I think you should apologize to Lord Stanton."

Brie opened her eyes to stare at her cousin. "He wouldn't forgive me, especially not after what I did to him two weeks ago. He thinks I knew my point was unguarded and that I purposely attacked him."

"I declare, Brie, one would think you were a child. How can you know so little about the male ego? I suppose it comes from living for so long away from society and not having the opportunity to watch your sisters grow up like I've had.
Of course
he would forgive you. In fact, I doubt if anything could make his lordship feel more wretched than a sweetly worded, humble apology."

Brie considered the advice, but then shook her head. "I couldn't do it."

"It might hurt your pride a bit, but believe me, it would be effective. You cannot keep fighting him the way you have, on his terms."

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.

"Merely that you aren't using what advantages you have. Men hate it when a female challenges their masculinity—and most particularly when one competes in what they consider their natural domain. I had never met Lord Stanton before today, but I'd heard rumors about him. He's credited with being a rake, the kind who always has a string of mistresses in keeping. So, play the game Lord Stanton understands. You're a very beautiful woman, but dressed as you are now, in breeches and top boots, you can hardly hope to attract a man like him."

"But I have no intention of trying to attract him!"

A twinkle lit Caroline's brown eyes. "Antagonizing Lord Stanton further would not be very wise on your part."

Brie gave her cousin a reluctant smile. "I'm well aware of that. But what do you suggest? I've never been able to act the coy young maiden, and I wouldn't know the first thing about playing the coquette to a philanderer."

Caroline laughed. "You don't have to be completely wicked. If you go about it the right way, you will soon have Lord Stanton wondering how he could ever have treated you in such a boorish manner. You have only to be charming and civil to render him harmless. But you'll have to remember not to fly into a pet if he teases you or makes you angry. You must accept his provoking remarks with equanimity and grace, smiling sweetly at him to show he hasn't the power to affect you."

"He will think I am flirting with him."

"Of course he will, goose! That is part of the game. But what harm will it do? Your purpose is merely to convince Lord Stanton that his way of riding roughshod over you is abominable and entirely undeserved. I think a little flirtation will suffice admirably."

Caroline's smile was so innocent that Brie couldn't help laughing. "You are incorrigible, cousin. Not to mention devious. I hope you're around to advise me if your little plot goes awry. Stanton doesn't strike me as the type to allow some designing female to practice her arts on him. But I suppose I can at least humble myself enough to make an apology. I owe it to Julian to be civil to his guest, at any rate. We could always leave a little earlier for London if I find myself in a scrape."

"Well, it was just a misunderstanding, after all. Stanton is sure to let it pass. Actually he rather surprised me, getting so angry at you. When he first arrived, I thought he looked quite like he wanted to kiss you."

"He wouldn't dare try that again," Brie muttered.

Caroline's eyes widened. "Do you mean he already has?"

Brie shot her cousin a quelling glance. "I assure you,
Caroline,
I do not go around hitting perfect strangers without some provocation."

"There is no need to be nasty, Brie. I only want to help. And my plan will work, you'll see. Now come, I want to see your wardrobe. We have to choose your most becoming gowns in case Lord Stanton should call."

Brie reluctantly allowed Caroline to take the lead, but it was several days before she had an opportunity to speak to Stanton, and then it was under circumstances Caroline would not have approved.

The weather took a dreary turn and it rained incessantly. During that time, Brie dutifully obeyed Caroline's strictures, dressing her part to perfection and even allowing her cousin's maid to tend her hair. But her meek acceptance was not destined to last. On the first day that rain no longer poured from the skies, she rebelled against her confinement, leaving the house early to avoid her cousin's watchful eye.

It was a miserable morning, for even though the rain had ceased, dark clouds obscured the sun, wrapping the countryside in a bone-chilling gloom. The ground had frozen hard, and even the puddles in the rutted roads were glazed with ice.

Brie rode one of her favorite hunters, but a long gallop did little to lift her spirits. When she returned to the stables, she ordered Julian's bay saddled, deciding to brave the south field for the first time since her disastrous encounter with Stanton.

She was relieved when she met no one along the way. The Expedition, however, brought a return of memories she would rather have forgotten. And for some reason, she couldn't dispel the notion of being watched by hidden eyes. The prickling sensation running down her spine made her glance frequently over her shoulder as she was making her way home. When she heard the distant staccato of
hoofbeats
, she drew up abruptly, her heartbeat quickening.

Although chiding herself for being
a
coward, Brie urged the bay off the road behind a bordering yew hedge which, in its overgrown state, sheltered her from view. She had no idea how long she sat waiting for the rider to pass, but she could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage. Jester also sensed the tension in her body and pricked his ears forward in nervous anticipation, his muscles quivering. When a huge black stallion suddenly materialized through the hedge, he shied in terror.

Brie caught a glimpse of the stallion, but she was too busy clinging to Jester's neck and trying to control the frightened horse to wonder at this seeming piece of witchcraft. When the bay at last came to a trembling halt, she looked up to find Dominic observing her.

The first thing she noticed was the elegant cloak and fashionable beaver hat he wore. The second was the deadly- looking pistol he had trained on her. Brie froze when she saw the pistol, while her throat constricted in fear, preventing her from uttering a sound.

The silence mounted, making the air between them vibrate. Dominic watched her intently, his gray eyes cold and alert, and
several uncomfortable moments passed before he slowly slipped the gun back into his belt.

Brie let out her breath in a rush, but when she found her voice, it sounded weak and trembling, even to her own ears. "I would count the score even, my lord, for I am unarmed. I was not planning to attack you, whatever you might be thinking. I was trying to avoid you."

Dominic merely sat there regarding her, one hand loosely holding the reins, the other resting on his thigh. "Is that what you were doing, lurking behind the bushes?" he said finally.

Brie couldn't tell whether it was amusement or annoyance she heard in his voice, but his question made her bristle. "I wasn't lurking!
Devil take
you! You gave me the fright of my life. Did you truly mean to shoot me?"

"The thought had crossed my mind, Miss
Carringdon
." The words were said with a hint of sarcasm, but his lips twitched as if he were repressing a smile.

Brie stared at his handsome, enigmatic face, trying to guess what was going on behind those cool gray eyes. Then she remembered the odd sensation that had disturbed her earlier. "Have you been following me?" she asked suspiciously.

Dominic's lips twisted in a smile. "No. Did you wish me to?"

"Of course not!
I just—" She broke off, realizing he would think her imaginings foolish. He was already grinning at her in that mocking way that made her want to slap him.

"You just . . . what, mademoiselle?"
Dominic prompted. When Brie refused to answer, he urged his stallion nearer, until he was directly beside her. "I had thought this road was public domain, but perhaps I should have asked your permission before making use of it."