A Scandalous Past (Regency Romance, Book 4) (33 page)

“I’ll do anything to see you happy,” he said
softly. “Even let you walk away from me.”

Cordie closed her eyes and breathed him in.
No one had ever loved her that much. “I don’t want to walk away
from you,” she admitted. “I don’t want to be plagued with my
family. I don’t want there to be phantom letters. I just want you,
Brendan, for things to go back like they were mere days ago.”

He sighed, stroking her back. “I want that
too, love. But you do have a family and there
are
phantom
letters. And—”

Cordie pressed her lips against his,
silencing his words. She didn’t want to think about all that was
wrong in their world. Not right now.

She moved her hands to his waistcoat and
slid one button through its hole. Brendan pulled back from her,
surprise alighting his eyes. “Here?”

Life was too complicated to worry about the
whens and wheres. Cordie nodded, undoing another button.  He
groaned, leaned forward, and claimed her mouth. His tongue brushed
against her lips and Cordie ran her hands along his chest. 
His muscles tense at her touch, making her yearn for more.

He felt it too. Brendan’s quick hands
unclasped the fastenings of her gown and it soon hung loosely about
her shoulders. His lips sought hers and he eased her back on the
settee, settling his knee between her thighs as he rose above her.
He pulled the gown beneath her breasts, sliding the fabric against
her sensitive nipples. He teased one peak with the rough edge of
his fingertip. It tightened, sending a rush of ecstasy to her
core.

One leg dangled over the edge of the settee,
opening her to the cool air.  Cordie thought she might come
undone. She arched against his knee, wanting him closer. He nipped
at her bottom lip and tugged at the hem of her gown. Then his hand
slid up her leg, sending warm shivers racing across her skin.

Brendan lifted his head only to smile at
her. “My adventurous wife.” Then he freed himself from his trousers
and nudged at her slick entrance. “Say you’ll never leave me.”

She shook her head, pledging herself to him
for all time. “I’ll never leave you.”

He entered her in one thrust, and Cordie
clutched tightly around him. She never wanted this to end.
Brendan’s lips found the tender skin at the base of her neck and
she couldn’t help but moan beneath him.

He nibbled at her neck, teased her nipples
with his tongue, then blew against them.  Feminine power raced
through her blood and her core pulsed around his length. He began
to saw himself into her over and over, causing the music room
to spin around them. Cordie closed her eyes and he delicious
pressure built inside her.

“Ah, love,” Brendan whispered. “That’s it.
Let go, Cordie.”

His words unleashed the last hold she had on
her sanity. The room stopped spinning and she dissolved into a
million pieces.

Lost in her own state of bliss, Cordie fell
limp as Brendan emitted a guttural groan and then collapsed upon
her. He nuzzled her neck and pulled her tightly to him. “Cordie, I
love you.”

She sighed, running her hands over his back.
She loved him. She’d never stop and she’d never leave him. “Me
too.”

A sennight passed, then a fortnight, but
there was no word from Gregory.  Cordie tried not to think
about the letters that were just waiting to destroy her happiness.
Though neither she nor Brendan mentioned them, their existence
still loomed in the back of her mind.  And while there was no
word about
those
letters, Cordie found herself awash in
other correspondence.

Dear Cordie,

I am so, so, so sorry. I do not even deserve
your forgiveness. This is all my fault.  I did not mean to
tell your brothers where you were, but the lieutenant is a
terrible, ruthless man and he was relentless in his search for
you.  The man actually threatened my person and I was so
frightened, everything just spilled out of me. I am the worst sort
of friend, and I will never forgive myself for your current
predicament.

My only hope is that you will find happiness
with Lord Clayworth. Captain Avery says you seemed happy when he
last visited and I pray that is true.

I suppose you will not return to London
until next season. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are
with you.

Your unworthy friend,

Phoebe Greywood

Cordie shook her head as she reread the
letter. No one had ever called Tristan a terrible, ruthless man
before. It was hard to imagine. He must have really scared poor
Phoebe. She sent back a quick note, assuring her friend that she
held her blameless and that, all things considered, she was quite
happy with her circumstances.

My dearest Cordelia,

Please tell me you are well. Ever since
Caroline wrote me of your elopement, I have been so worried about
you. I still cannot believe that you ran off with Lord Clayworth,
of all people. I will not rest at ease until I hear from you. If
you are in trouble, my door is always open to you, my dearest
friend.

Alexander and I have chosen to stay in
Hampshire for the remainder of my confinement, away from the
vindictive eyes and wagging tongues of society.  Sometimes it
is hard to realize that I once considered so many of those people
friends. I have a new outlook on life.

Though this is not the path I would have
ever imagined for myself, I am not sorry for the outcome. It is
good I did not have a choice in the matter, or I would have done
something foolish and honorable, and been positively unhappy with
my lot. Alexander is everything I never knew I needed, and I would
never trade him for respectability.

I am certain you have heard disturbing
things in regards to my household, and I assure you they are all
true. It is shocking, I know, but I truly could not be happier. My
step-daughter, Poppy, is a delight, and I do not know how I would
have survived the last few difficult weeks without her.

All I wish for now is to see you again, to
relieve my mind of your circumstances. Please do not delay in your
response. I am on pins and needles, awaiting your reply.

Your devoted friend,

Olivia Everett

Everett Place – Brockenhust, Hampshire

Livvie was pregnant? What wonderful news.
Though Cordie wasn’t necessarily surprised. The duke didn’t seem
capable of keeping his hands off her. It was a relief to know that
despite everything Olivia had been through, she’d found peace in
Hampshire. Perhaps she could convince Brendan to make the trip to
visit her friend. It would be so nice to see Livvie again. However,
no trips to anywhere would be possible until Rosamund’s wedding
plans were solidified.

Her sister-in-law begged nearly every day to
be taken to London to fill her trousseau, to which Brendan would
rub his temples as if to stave off a headache. Cordie could
understand the girl’s desire, though. Every young bride wanted
everything to be just so. Rosamund was no different. After enduring
the girl’s relentless pleas, Cordie finally agreed to talk to
Brendan herself.

She found him in his study, a full glass of
whiskey in front of him, looking as if he’d just lost his dearest
friend. His shoulders slumped forward and his brow was drawn
tight.

Cordie closed the door behind her and rushed
to his side. “Brendan, what is the matter? You never drink in the
middle of the day.”

He closed his eyes and pushed a letter
across the desk towards her. Cordie snatched it up and read.

Clayworth,

I am sorry to inform you that the letters
you seek are not at Rufford Hall. The estate has been tirelessly
scoured from top to bottom, but there is no evidence of your
family’s perfidy in Nottinghamshire. Likewise, I have traveled to
London to search Avery House, with the same unfortunate result.

I do wish, for my sister’s sake, I had
better news to offer you. In the event that someone else finds the
evidence you seek, I do hope that you will take Cordelia’s
well-being under consideration.  You should send her to me so
that I can look after her. If you are found out, only distancing
yourself from my sister will save her.

Avery

Short, concise, and filled with just a touch
of condemnation. Cordie sighed and looked up to find her husband
regarding her with pain-filled eyes. “I won’t ever send you to
them. I’ll figure something else out.”

She dropped the letter and knelt at
Brendan’s side. “There’s no need to send me anywhere. My place is
with you.”

“Not at the gallows,” he barked. Then he
winced and caressed her cheek with his fingers. “I didn’t mean to
yell.”

Cordie ran her hand along his waistcoat.
“Brendan, this means nothing. Marina has been gone for half a
decade. Don’t you think if she gave the letters to someone intent
on doing you harm, they would have already used them? Just because
Greg can’t find them doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. We
can’t live like that.”

“Cordie,” he said, as though he carried the
weight of the world on his shoulders.

She shook her head. “Let’s leave for a
while. Rose is anxious to go to London and I’m sure Thomas would
like the adventure. We could go to the theatre and shop and—”

“Pretend that none of this is
happening?”

“Nothing
is
happening. Only in our
minds.”

His face softened a bit. “Do you want to go
to London?”

“I’d like to make Rose happy.”

“And what about you?”

She grinned at him, hoping to lighten some
of his burdens. “Well, I would certainly love to show off my
husband. I will be the envy of every woman in London to have caught
the elusive Lord Adonis.”

He groaned, but it was playful and not of
the pain-filled variety. “You know I hate that.”

Cordie giggled and ran her fingers up his
chest. “Poor Brendan. It must be such a trial to be so handsome and
sought after.”

He clutched her fingers in his hand. “I only
care for you.”

“Then take me to London. It will be good for
all of us to change our scenery, if only for a little while.”

“As you wish.” He smiled at her, warming her
soul.

“And after Rose’s wedding, I’d like very
much to travel to Hampshire.”

He laughed. “I thought after Scotland you
were ready to give up travel forever, love.”

“Well, I’ve heard from Livvie. Brendan,
she’s expecting. Isn’t that grand? She and Kelfield are spending
her confinement at Everett Place, and I do miss her
dreadfully.”

He leaned forward in his seat and cupped her
jaw. “Whatever will make you happy, my lovely wife.”

***

Watching Rose bound up the steps to his
Mayfair home did bring a smile to Brendan’s face. Thomas dashed out
of the coach and followed Rose into the house on Hertford
Street.

He supposed he should have brought them to
London before now, if only to see the sights.  The two of them
had excitedly chatted nearly the entire way, while Cordie slept on
Brendan’s shoulder.

His wife had been fairly weary as of late
and he was starting to worry about her. He gently touched her cheek
to rouse her from her slumber. Cordie blinked her eyes open, then
yawned. “Are we here?” she asked, stretching one arm above her
head.

“We are indeed,” Brendan said with a frown.
“How are you feeling, love?”

“Just a bit tired.” She leaned forward and
kissed his chin. “I know that look. Please don’t worry about
me.”

“It’s not even possible for me to stop,” he
mumbled, climbing from the coach and offering her his hand.

Cordie smiled at him, brightening the
dreary, overcast day above them. “I’ve never been here. I can
hardly wait to see it.”

“Only the new green parlor is worth seeing,
according to Caroline. Feel free to refurbish as you see fit.”

He followed her into the house and nodded
curtly to Higgins, who held out a silver salver. “Your
correspondence, Lord Clayworth.”

“How is it even possible we already have
invitations?” he grumbled.

Cordie laughed. “I did write Lady Staveley
to tell her we’d be arriving.”

Well, that explained it then. Brendan
scooped up the pile of invitations and handed them to his wife.
“Decide what you’d like to attend, love, and let me know.”

“We’re only here for shopping, Brendan.”

“Not if you’ve already forewarned Caroline.
We’ll have to attend something, or we’ll never enjoy a moment’s
worth of peace.”

***           

He was right about that. Cordie looked from
one invitation to another. The most respected families in London
requested their presence in one form or another. It wouldn’t do to
ignore them all. She was lucky they wanted to have anything to do
with her, after her scandalous elopement. Lady Staveley, it
appeared, had been quite busy. 

She stopped when she opened a card bearing
the Astwick crest, nearly dropping the invitation to the floor once
she read it. Heavens! Well, they couldn’t ignore this particular
soiree. Both Ladies Astwick were hosting the event in honor of Lord
Clayworth and his new bride. All of society would undoubtedly be in
attendance.

She would have to face the same people who
made such a fuss over Livvie’s marriage to Kelfield, the same
people who’d made her friend’s life nearly unbearable. Panic began
to set in and Cordie’s stomach turned queasy at the thought.
Perhaps hiding out in Derbyshire wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Have you heard from Rob?” Chet asked as
they took their seats in Astwick’s box at Astley’s
Amphitheatre.

Brendan shook his head, a bit distracted by
his wife’s health. He’d wanted to cancel the outing with his old
friend, but Cordie had insisted he and Thomas attend since Chet
would have his two step-sons with him. She also promised she would
feel better in the morning. He wished he believed her. Tomorrow he
would insist Doctor Watts pay her a call.