Angel in Scarlet: A Bound and Determined Novel (17 page)

“I am not sure what surprises me most, that you rode in the carriage or that Bliss was not galloping ahead of the carriage on her own steed.”

Duldon’s lips curled up like a cat at the cream. “Let us just say that some stallions have already done their duty, and I find myself ready to humor my wife in her condition.”

“Congratulations.” He slapped Duldon on the back. “I suppose that would keep Bliss from trouble for at least a few months. It is hard to imagine even Bliss taking such a risk when she carries a new life within her.”

“I must admit she is being remarkably careful.”

“And you, my friend, seem quite happy with what life has granted you. I didn’t imagine ever to see you so happily wed—and not longing for those things you can no longer have.” Marriage. Did everything come back to that?

“And what things would those be?”

He shot his friend a look. “Do I need to remind you of those things that wives do not do?”

Duldon laughed. “I think it would be far better for me to lecture you on those things that wives
do
do.”

Colton raised a brow.

“But Bliss would probably skin me—and I do mean that literally. She might very well tell you herself if you asked, but if I were to breathe a word—well, I might keep my skin, but…”

“And how would you feel if I did ask your wife such a question?”

“Then you might be the one without skin.”

A boy emerged from the stable, leading Colton’s stallion, Goliath.

“Can you fetch my friend Lord Duldon a mount? Tell Higgins that I think the bay hunter would be appropriate.”

The boy looped the reins over a post and headed toward the stable.

Colton turned to Duldon. “I am glad to see you, in any case. It has been far too long.”

“Yes, I admit that marriage does cut down on the time one spends with one’s friends.”

“An evening out becomes more difficult?”

“Say more that one at home becomes more desirable.” Duldon walked over and scratched the stallion’s nose. The horse sniffed him and then accepted the touch.

“Does it really?” Was such a thing truly possible?

Duldon scratched the stallion again. “Now, don’t ever let my wife know I put it like this, but would you rather ride a new horse each day or stick with Goliath here?”

“Well, there is some excitement in the challenge of conquering a new beast, but I do confess that I always come back to Goliath.”

“A wife is rather like that: If a man has a good one, one who suits his every need, why would he want for more?”

“For the thrill of it?”

“And yet even the thrill gets dull after a while, does it not?”

Did it? He would admit that there was not the excitement there once was, but dull? He wasn’t quite sure he’d go that far. “I am not sure that I have found it so.”

“Then perhaps you have not yet found the right mount, one that you think of even when others are available, one that makes each ride better than the last.”

No, he’d never had that—or had he? He did have to admit that since he’d begun this game with Angela, he’d sought no other—and there had been opportunities. He’d never thought to feel this way, but recently something had changed. “I don’t know.”

Duldon shot him a strange look. “I would have expected a flat no.”

“Life has been complex of late.”

“And this one does seem to be the perfect ride, to suit you exactly.” Duldon patted Goliath, but he looked straight at Colton.

He was talking about the horse—he couldn’t mean more. Nobody knew about Angela and him—well, nobody but Thorton. And Thorton intended to hold his tongue, at least for the moment. But…“You walked from Lady Perse’s; was there any unusual gossip this morning?”

“No, but, then, I didn’t talk to anyone except my valet before I left to hoof it over here. I may have grunted at a footman when he opened the door, but that was all.”

“What about last night? Were you there for dinner? I was invited but had things to attend to here.” The truth was he hadn’t been ready to face Angela, not with the decision he had to make and knowing that he had hurt her with his abruptness.

“Yes, we arrived just before. Bliss took a tray in the room, but I went down. There was nothing remarkable. Lady Perse was her usual self, and as for the rest—well, I didn’t take much interest in it. I was more concerned about how my wife was faring after the long trip.”

“And Miss Ripon—how did she seem?” If Angela had heard anything, surely her demeanor would have revealed it.

“Miss Ripon? I don’t remember seeing her, and I am sure she would have come over to ask of Bliss. They always were quite close. I did see Mrs. Ripon, but somehow I’ve a feeling that does not answer your question. I thought you had decided that the fair Angel was not for you.”

Angela hadn’t come down to dinner? That could mean a thousand things—few of them good. “You call her Angel?” He’d thought that his own pet name.

“Bliss does; some long-ago joke she has never explained.”

The boy reentered the yard, leading the bay. Colton had more questions but could not find words for any of them. Duldon had implied that he was not missing out on certain activities, activities a man normally did not ask of his wife. Activities that Colton knew Duldon had indulged in at Madame Rouge’s. It was an impossible thing to ask:
Excuse me, but have you ever tied your wife up? Taken a crop to her? And does she enjoy it?
No, definitely not the questions to ask.

“I can’t believe you are here,” Angela exclaimed, rushing into the parlor. “Why didn’t you send word that you were coming?”

Bliss rose from the couch, carefully. “I wanted to surprise you, and in truth I was not sure we would make it. I’ve not been feeling well, and Duldon was worried the carriage ride might be too taxing.”

“You are not ill?” Her joy dimmed.

“No, or at least no more so than any other woman in my condition.” Bliss placed a hand upon her stomach.

“Your…” And then she realized the meaning of the gesture. “Oh, how wonderful! When? And how? Oh, I don’t mean that. I do know how, but I thought you were hoping to wait until you had been married a bit longer. I mean, I know that it is always good to have an heir, but…”

Bliss laughed. “Yes, after all those times we snuck to the barnyards, I do hope you know how. Although it is rather different than watching chickens, or even pigs—and we will not even think about horses.”

Angela was about to reply that she certainly knew it was different—and then thought better of it. There was only so much she needed her friend to know. And besides, she didn’t actually know that
it
was different, just that everything leading up to it was. And she surely didn’t want to discuss that now, not when even thinking of Colton had tears threatening. “Yes, let us not consider horses. I’ve never had the desire to have anyone bite the back of my neck.” Although even as she said the words an image filled her mind, an image that was not at all distasteful.

A ruddy color slowly ran up Bliss’s cheeks. Had she just had a similar thought?

Bliss shook her head lightly. “And you are right, we did mean to wait, but sometimes things happen, no matter how careful you think you are being.”

Did Bliss and Duldon…Did they use some of the tricks that Ruby had talked of? It had been Bliss who first mentioned Madame Rouge, who had first given Angela the idea of talking to her. “I don’t know whether to say sorry or offer another congratulations.”

“Congratulations, definitely. We are not the slightest bit sorry, although there are moments in the morning—and sometimes the rest of the day—that are far from easy.” She rested a hand on her stomach again. “This little one is not giving me an easy time of it.”

“But you still have not explained why you are here.”

“I always meant to come. Lady Perse knew of our friendship and thought you could use a friend. I asked her not to say anything; I did not want you disappointed if I couldn’t manage the trip.”

“I could never be disappointed in you.” And she meant that with all her heart.

“That is nice to hear, but I was surprised to learn that Lord Colton is here. I know Lady Perse had no intention of inviting him after the way he treated you.”

“I would admit that I was at first taken aback when I learned he would be here for at least some of the weekend. He is apparently a neighbor, and I can understand that Lady Perse could not refuse him.”

Bliss frowned. “Even so, I cannot believe that he had the nerve to come, knowing you would be here.”

Angela could only hope her own cheeks were not flushed with color. “We are getting along much better now. I have come to understand more of his reasoning. I do not think he meant to hurt me.” Or at least she hadn’t until yesterday afternoon. Now she was back to a jumbled state of confusion.

“You are getting along? I can’t imagine how. I would never forgive a man who trifled with my feelings.”

“I am not sure he meant to trifle.”

Bliss leaned back. “Well, I am not sure that I believe that.”

“It is hard to explain.” Yes, if she could not fully explain it to herself, then how could she explain it to another?

“And yet you have decided to forgive him?”

“I would not precisely say that.”

“Then are you planning something? You always were a great one for plots and plans.”

“No.” And the word felt true as she said it. Had she given up on her plan for vengeance? Yesterday she would have said yes; now she was not as sure—but—but, in truth, she no longer had the heart for it. She might not understand Colton, but she no longer felt a need for justice. She was tired and merely wished to be done with the thing.

“I am not quite convinced.”

Ah, Bliss knew her too well. “I would confess that I may have had such thoughts originally, but I think they were a reaction to my hurt. I felt the spurned lover and I wanted to make him pay, to find justice.”

“That sounds reasonable to me.”

“Reasonable perhaps, but not practical. I think being around him again only made me care more deeply.”

“And him? Does he still spurn you?”

“No, I don’t think so—but, then, he can turn so cold in the blink of an eye. How does one understand what goes on in a man’s head?”

“Now, that I don’t know. I’ve not even figured out Duldon, and sometimes it seems as if he’s actually a part of me—but a part I do not always understand.”

“That does not leave me much hope.”

“What exactly do you wish to hope for? Do you still dream he will marry you?”

A bitter laugh. “I wish I knew. I suppose it is unreasonable to want to comprehend his thoughts when I am so troubled by my own.”

“So you would not marry him?”

“That was my original plan, you know. I was going to make him mad for me and then toss him aside when it came to the point.”

Bliss leaned toward her. “And now?”

“Now I think I would like to wed him, although only if he wanted to, and that seems impossible.” It was the first she had admitted that even to herself. “In truth, I do not understand my own emotions. I am often happy when I am with him. I feel safe and at ease, even when circumstances should have me crying off.”

“I gather I should not inquire too closely after those circumstances?” Bliss asked.

Her friend had always been too perceptive. “No, I think it is best for all if you do not. And it doesn’t truly matter, because every time I think there may be a future, he turns so cold and bitter.” Angela let her head fall forward to rest upon her hands. “Am I a fool, Bliss?”

A hand reached out and stroked her shoulder. “I do not think so—although it is hard to be sure without knowing exactly what has happened between you.”

“Nothing irrevocable,” she murmured quietly. “He seems content to stay within some boundaries.”

“He is more honorable than I would have thought.”

That brought another bitter laugh. “Or he just does not care enough—or he does not wish to be trapped. He has made it clear that he has no interest in marriage, at least not to me.”

“I am sorry.”

She attempted a smile. “Well, there are plenty of other men.”

Bliss did not answer, but the look in her eyes said much.

“I do wish I knew my own heart,” Angela said after a moment. “It is hard to know what to do when I am not sure what I want.”

She had managed to avoid everyone but Bliss for most of the day, but now it was time for dinner. Angela thought about claiming she was still ill but sensed her mother would not grant her another evening of freedom so easily.

Walking to the mirror, she stared into it. The dress of deep emerald clung to her curves perfectly. The single pearl pendant hung deep in her cleavage, drawing the eye. Even to her own eyes, she looked tempting, a delight laid out for a young man’s desire. If only she felt as well on the interior. A day ago she would have rejoiced in the picture she presented, would have anticipated Colton’s reaction; now she would have been just as happy dressed for mourning.

She picked up her paisley shawl and wrapped it about her shoulders and upper chest. A deep chill had taken her, and she was unsure if it was the coming night air or the confusion and pain that still roiled within her.

Well, there could be no helping it. Some things must be faced—and Colton was one of them.

She steeled herself and walked through the door and down the stairs. Perhaps she would be lucky and he would not come. She’d heard he had failed to attend the previous night’s meal.

The first person she saw as she descended the stairs was Lord Thorton. Of course. She pushed her cheeks up in a smile, already planning how to avoid a long conversation.

“My dear Miss Ripon, I am so glad to see you are recovered,” he said, his eyes running over her dress. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll take a chill in such a flimsy affair? Is that shawl enough?”

“It is what my mother packed. Do you question her taste?”

“It is more that I know you were not well last night. Perhaps you should have heeded my advice and not gone wandering out after our own stroll. I did warn you not to overdo it.” There was something odd about his tone and his glance, which was far more forward than it had been the day before.

“Perhaps you are right. I would admit that my walk was not as pleasurable as I had expected.” Although that was not strictly true. The
walk
had been pleasurable enough; it was what came after that still left her shaken and unsure.

“No, and I thought you loved to…to walk.”

Why did Thorton sound so strange? It was as if his every word had an extra meaning, a meaning she could not possibly understand. “Yes, I do enjoy the air on most occasions.”

“But not yesterday afternoon. You seemed in quite good spirits when we walked. I was therefore surprised when I saw you head out later. If you had desired to stroll through the woods, I would have been pleased to be your partner. Dangerous things can happen to a young lady who walks unescorted.”

Had he followed her? Is that why he sounded so strange? Had he seen her with Colton? The thought circled her mind and was then dismissed. Surely she would have noticed if she was followed, and Thorton was not a man who would have held his silence. She was sure that everyone in the house would know by now if he’d seen her.

Was it possible that they did? For a moment, fear took her. What had she missed by hiding in her room for most of the day?

No. She would not think that way. If rumors were rife, her mother would have told her—and so would Lady Perse. “I assure you, Lord Thorton, that I felt no danger.”

“So your walk was not upsetting? You did say you had not found pleasure in it.”

“Is my stroll about the grounds really of such concern?”

He took a step back. “I find all things to be my concern—as they should be to any gentleman. Do you disagree that we are all responsible for our fellow man?”

She forced another smile. “I would say rather that I am too hungry and too thirsty for such a discussion. Perhaps after dinner we will return to it.” Although she would do everything in her power to avoid such a happening.

“Oh, there you are, dear,” her mother said, gliding toward them. “You do look so much better. I am glad to see some color in your cheeks. You looked most dreadful last night. I was quite worried you had truly taken a chill.” She turned to Lord Thorton. “You should not have kept her out so long. Surely you must have noticed all was not right with her.”

“No, Miss Ripon seemed quite fine when she was with me. Her illness must have come upon her later in the day.” Again he gave her a strange look.

“I suppose you may be right—although my daughter did retire immediately after she returned with you. She seemed quite eager to rest.”

This time there was no mistaking Thorton’s expression. He knew very well that she had not retired to her room. Would he say something? It was a chance she could not take. “Actually, Mother, I am afraid I went for another stroll instead. I did mean to rest, but my headache was beginning and the room seemed stifling.”

“Why, no wonder you took ill. You know you must take care when you do not feel well. It would be such a shame if you had become too ill to attend the rest of the events.”
And meet a nice young man to marry.

The last piece of her mother’s thought did not need to be put into words.

“You are both right. I will take more care in the future. I do believe that I have learned my lesson.” She lowered her head, trying to project an image of absolute innocence.

“I am not sure that you have,” Thorton stated flatly.

Her mother opened her mouth as if to rebuke him but then closed her lips. There were arguments even her mother did not wish to engage in. “Well, come into the parlor and we will get you a sherry.” She took Angela’s arm and pulled her away from Thorton. “Something nice and fortifying is just what you need.”

Thorton made no move to follow.

Colton waved his footman back to the carriage and stared up at the house. He had debated sending his regrets once again, but he was not a coward. This must be faced.

“So have you decided what to do?” Thorton demanded, stepping out the front door. The man must have been waiting for him.

“I am still considering my options.”

“I am afraid that you do not have any. I spoke with Miss Ripon just a few moments ago.”

Now, that was surprising—and concerning. “And what did she have to say? I do hope you did not bore her with your threats as you have me.”

“Not yet. I will say that she did not seem altogether pleased with yesterday’s events. I begin to wonder if my early assessments were correct and you have preyed on an innocent.”

Colton felt a sudden urge to plant his fist squarely in the center of Lord Thorton’s face. He was unsure if the impulse was a desire to protect Angela or his own reputation. And he wasn’t sure that it mattered. He had decided not to tell Angela of Thorton’s threat. There was no reason for her to feel this pressure—assuming she did not plot with Thorton. “I am not concerned with what you think.”

“But you should be. One word from me and the poor thing will be ruined. There will not be a corner dark enough for her to hide in. She’ll wish that she could run off to France and join a convent.”

Colton stared back at Thorton. “I never took you to have papist sympathies.”

“I don’t.” Thorton met his look and held it. “I merely state a truth.”

“Why should I be concerned for the girl?” He would do almost anything to protect Angela, but Thorton certainly did not need to know that.

“You admit no fault?”