A Scandalous Marriage (28 page)

Startled, they turned to discover they had an audience. Lord Kirkeby’s wheelchair was surrounded by Dr. Partridge, and Wills, and several chambermaids stood gathered around him. They all broke into grinning applause. Now it was Leah’s turn to blush hotly, and Devon laughed, placing a kiss on her forehead.

There was no more time for confidences. The family ate an early dinner, and then everyone had to hurry to prepare for the ball. It was going to be crush. No one had refused the invitation.

Later that evening Leah was in a panic. She’d spent the last hour trying to get dressed and couldn’t seem to make any headway.

Then Fiona brought Ben in for a feeding. Leah sat at her vanity table, dressed in her undergarments, holding her baby. One stocking was tied with a garter, the other hung down around her ankles.

Devon walked into the room and started laughing.

“Stop it,” she commanded. “Or I won’t come down at all.”

He sat on the end of the bed. “I’m not certain we want you to.”

Ben stopped nursing long enough to give Devon a smile and then went back to his business.

Devon reached over and brushed the back of his fingers against Leah’s cheek. “I’m going to tell Grandfather tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, Devon.” Relief washed through her. “It will be best.”

He didn’t respond but went behind the screen set up in front of the fire to bathe. Soon his baritone voice was raised in a rousing song.

Leah laughed. His silliness took the edge off the moments leading up to the ball.

Fiona claimed the baby. Devon was still splashing, and Leah slipped behind the screen. “Do you want me to wash your back?”

“Later.” He slid down in the tub, and she noticed he was aroused. “I don’t wish to spend all evening downstairs. Do you?” he asked.

Desire sparkled through her. “Oh, no.”

He grinned. “That’s the right answer and for that, you are going to win a prize, viscountess.”

“What sort of prize?” she asked with suspicious humor.

“Grab my jacket hanging from the corner of the screen.”

She did as he said.

“Check the pocket,” he said.

“What am I looking for?”

“You’ll know when you find it.”

Her fingers closed around a small box. She pulled it out. “This?” She drew a sharp breath. The box lid bore the crest of Rundell and Bridge, London’s leading jeweler.

“Open it.”

She lifted the lid and thought she’d faint. Inside was a huge ruby ring surrounded by diamonds and sapphires.

“I should have given it to you earlier in the study,” Devon confessed, “but I didn’t have it. I’d planned on dropping it in the tub, like the soap that day, and make you search for it. But then I started to fear we might get diverted,” he said with a roguish twinkle, “and forget about the ring. Then the servants would throw it out with the bathwater and—”

She silenced him with a kiss. “It is the most glorious ring.”

“Here, let me have it.” Taking the ring, he pulled her left hand forward. He paused a moment, thinking before saying, “I pledge my heart, my worldly goods, but most of all my soul to you, my wife, Leah Marshall.” He slid the ring on her finger. It just fit.

She threw her arms around his neck. “Maybe we don’t need to go downstairs at all,” she whispered in his ear.

Devon moaned. “We must go downstairs. The party is in honor of your parents. Imagine what would be said if we didn’t make an appearance. Plus, I have particular friends coming I want you to meet.”

“Like whom?”

“Lady Dorchester,” he said, and she smiled, remembering the masquerade. “And my good friend the Baroness de Severin-Fortier. They are anxious to meet you, since they had a hand in our courtship.” He told her the story behind the masquerade. “They are both convinced you are a sorceress.”

“I am.” She leaned against the tub. “Devon, hold out your hand.”

He did as she asked. She raised her hand, their palms inches away from each other—and there it was, the magic. Their hands met, their fingers lacing with each other’s, and they smiled at each other, as deliriously happy as children.

The moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was her dresser. With a sigh, Leah came to her feet.

Devon frowned. “This house is so ridiculously old, it’s not even worth modernizing.”

“What do you mean?”

“It would be nice to have a separate dressing room and water pumped upstairs. Or how about a water closet on this floor?”

“It sounds delightful,” Leah answered, pulling on her dressing robe. “But what can you do? Montclef is the Marshall family home.”

“Perhaps not after I tell Grandfather the truth tomorrow,” he responded seriously. “I’ve been thinking that it may be best for us to find our own home. A clean break perhaps. But something with modern conveniences.”

“A home of our own,” she enthused. “Mother was telling me of a new home being built in Mayfair.”

“We could look there or build a country estate. We could do anything.”

“Yes, yes, I would like that. A clean break from the past.” The dresser knocked on the door again, this time with more insistence.

Devon sighed and sank down in the tub, ready to remain a prisoner behind the privacy screen while Leah dressed. “Go on, let her in and tell me when you are done.”

When she’d finished dressing, Leah felt she sparkled like the stones in her wedding ring.

She wore an off the shoulder dress of rich blue silk. Paste jewels trimmed the sleeves, and her hair was piled on top of her head and held in place by diamond studs. The studs had been loaned to her by Lord Kirkeby, as was the diamond collar around her neck.

It took far more time for her to dress than Devon. He played with Ben in the nursery while she finished.

When at last she opened the door, he gave a low, appreciative whistle. “Madame, you look spectacular.”

Devon himself appeared a true nobleman in his black velvet evening clothes. The starched white of his shirt and neckcloth made an elegant contrast.

He offered his arm, and together they made their way toward the stairs. Devon paused halfway down the stairs. “Nervous?”

She considered the question and then shook her head. “I’ve been more concerned that you loved my son more than you loved me.”

“And have I convinced you otherwise?”

“Yes,” she said softly. “I believe you love us equally.”

“I’m sorry that you discovered that,” he said with a wink. “I was hoping to be more convincing later.”

Deep within her, she felt the heat of anticipation. “I beg you to do your best.”

“I will,” he assured her, and she was suddenly overwhelmed by her good fortune. All the pain, fear, and insecurity she had suffered were now firmly buried in the past.

As they joined the receiving line, she found herself filled with renewed confidence. Her opinion of herself no longer rested on the thoughts of others. She held herself with pride. After all, a viscountess answers to no one.

Her parents stood between her and the marquess, in his sedan chair. He was dressed in sartorial splendor. His black evening clothes were embroidered in a silver thread and trimmed in gold braid. His eyes burned with intelligence, but he seemed drawn and pale to Leah. The excitement of the ball might be too much for him.

On the other hand, her parents looked radiant. For the first time in a long time, she was certain her father was completely sober. Pride filled her chest and she leaned over to Devon, standing beside her, and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

“What was that for?” Devon asked, surprised.

“For being the wonderful man you are.”

Devon smiled, pleased to be worshipped.

Soon, the rooms were so crowded that it was hard to move. She and Devon joined Rex and Venetia and her parents for the opening dance. Her mother was a vision in blood red silk, which brought out her Spanish coloring. Men openly admired her and rushed to claim the next dance, but she would not leave her husband’s side. They looked so happy together that it almost brought tears to Leah’s eyes.

Devon introduced her to a husky, broad-shouldered gentleman. “Leah, you remember the earl of Ruskin. Rusky has been taking care of my noble Gallant,” he said, referring to his horse with obvious affection.

“That animal is a disgrace,” Rusky declared.

“That animal is my pride and joy.”

Leah arbitrated peace between the two men by offering her gloved hand. “We met last Season, and thank you for the use of your coach. It was appreciated.”

Rusky bowed over her hand. “I am happy to be of service, my lady.” He then frowned at Devon. “How do you do it, Huxhold? You managed to capture the Season’s reigning beauty without even being in town.”

“It’s my charm,” Devon answered. His words were met by a chorus of guffaws from those around them.

Of course, all was not perfect. Leah caught the hint of whispered gossip, but she didn’t care. Nothing could spoil this evening for her.

Devon caught sight of something past her shoulder, and nodded. “There is Rex and my aunt.”

They were standing separate and apart from the other guests. “I would be interested in knowing what they are discussing with such passion. I would wager my horse it isn’t decorations or guest fists.”

“Devon, are you truly worried?” she asked with surprise.

“Let’s just say, I’m cautious. They are probably discussing nothing of importance.”

“Don’t worry. Not tonight,” she whispered. “This is our night.”

The musicians struck the first chord of a spirited reel. “Oh, come,” she said, tugging his arm. “Let’s dance.”

There was a commotion coming from the front door. Someone must have fallen or stumbled. She hesitated, wondering if she should investigate.

Then a man shouted.

Leah frowned. Perhaps one of the guests had already had too much champagne, but Wills would take care of it. She moved to the dance floor, Devon following. Couples were skipping to the happy music.

Concentrating on the pattern of the dance, she and Devon took their places at the end of the line.

However, during the pause in the next beat in the music, the man shouted again. He called, “Huxhold!”

Leah heard him clearly, and the voice was frighteningly familiar.

Devon heard, too, as did all the other guests and the musicians. A woman screamed, and people started moving away from the door, where her brother Julian stood.

It had been almost a year since she had seen Julian. He’d put on weight, and his face was bloated and blotchy. She realized he’d been drinking. He swayed on his feet, nursing his bad hand by holding it close to his side. In his other hand was a loaded pistol.

The musicians stopped playing.

“Huxhold,” Julian said in the sudden quiet. “I demand satisfaction.” He then raised the pistol and aimed it at Devon’s heart.

“Julian!” Leah cried. She stepped forward even as Devon pushed her toward Rusky and out of harm’s way.

The earl caught her by the arms. “Let Devon handle this,” he warned.

She ignored him, twisting to release his grip. “Julian, why are you doing this?” she cried.

“Come outside, Huxhold,” Julian demanded. “We shall settle this in the middle of the street with
many
witnesses this time.”

“I don’t want to fight, Julian,” Devon said.

“No!” Julian held up his mangled hand. The fingers curled like claws, permanently frozen. “I believed you when you said that once before, and look what I have to show for it. This time you will meet me like a man.”

The guests eased away from Devon, lest the pistol Julian held went off and the ball struck them instead.

Her father stepped forward. “Julian, you do not come into a man’s house and in front of guests demand satisfaction. Hand me the pistol and we will take this into another room, one more private.”

“I’m not going with you,” his older son announced. “You’ve sold yourself. You have no pride.”

Her father’s eyes blazed with a fury the likes of which Leah had never seen before. “You will obey me!”

“Aye, I will obey you, Father, once Huxhold is dead,” Julian vowed. “He has shamed my sister.

Disgraced my family! The Marshalls and their false accusations have ruined you and ruined me. It’s time one of them paid.”

Leah strained against Rusky’s hold. “Julian, please, you don’t know!”

“I know everything!” He practically spit the words out. “He was seeing you, having you lie to your parents while he used you. I know he had to be forced to honor you with marriage. I know when the marriage took place, Leah. You didn’t run away to join him the way everyone thinks.”

Leah went wild at his apocalyptic words. Where had Julian got this information? “You don’t understand,” she said desperately.

But Julian had dismissed her in his mind. “Meet me, Huxhold. Now!”

Her father started forward, but Devon motioned him back. “It is no use talking to him. He isn’t interested in the truth. And I’m bloody tired of the accusations. Let us give him what he wants.”

Leah wasn’t certain what Devon meant. His expression was so composed that it could have been set in stone. He began walking without fear toward Julian.

Julian watched him approach, taking a step back and then another. The gleam in his eye grew more reckless.

“Take the gun from him!” Leah shouted to the bystanders, wanting someone to grab Julian and wrestle him to the ground, but they held back.

“Let Huxhold take care of it,” Rusky whispered furiously.

Leah rounded on him. “You don’t understand. I can’t risk this. I can’t live without him!”

Then to her horror, Julian stopped, but Devon kept coming until the bore of the pistol pressed against his jacket, aimed straight at his heart.

“Go ahead, Julian. Fire.”

Leah screamed in outrage. She’d had enough! Her brother was not sane. Did Devon not realize the danger? She brought her heel back and kicked Rusky’s shin with all her might. The sudden pain surprised him, and she was free. She ran across the floor to her husband, hurling herself at him to push him out of the way.

But Devon didn’t move. Instead, his arm circled her, holding her safe. She could feel the tension in his body. He could break Julian if he wanted, and he would to protect her. If something didn’t happen, there would be fresh blood and no end to the fighting between the two families.