Every Time We Kiss (15 page)

Matthew turned his head and smirked. “Now, why would I do that?”

“Good man.”

“I need to speak with you in private.”

Somerton eyed the table. “Follow me.”

Matthew followed Somerton into the music room. After closing the door, he walked toward the pianoforte. Skimming his fingers up the keys, he rethought his plan. Perhaps this wasn’t the best idea. Maybe there was a better way to find a woman to marry him. But he didn’t want another woman. Last night proved the inevitable—he only wanted Jennette.

“Well?” Somerton said, impatience threading through his voice.

“I need your assistance in a private matter.”

“Who doesn’t?” Somerton muttered with a curse. “Let me guess, since Mr. and Mrs. Marston didn’t exactly give their blessings, you have decided to compromise the chit. There are far better women than Mary Marston.”

“Yes and no,” Matthew stalled.

Somerton shook his head. “What do you mean?”

“I do want to compromise a woman…but not Miss Marston.”

Somerton’s lips slowly turned upward. He took a seat by the small fireplace and crossed his arms over his chest. “Then who?”

“Jennette.”

Her name hung in the overly quiet room. Matthew glanced over at Somerton, who appeared to be struggling to keep from laughing.

“I am quite serious, Somerton.”

“I believe you.” He covered his mouth and coughed. “Do you honestly think Selby will allow it?”

“I’m beyond caring. He won’t want his sister’s reputation ruined.”

Somerton nodded, still looking as if he were trying to contain laughter. “Very well, what will you have me do?”

“Tonight, I will take her to the greenhouse. You bring the dowager Lady Selby or Lady Aston and find us kissing.”

“What time?”

“Eleven. By then dinner will be finished and the gaming in full swing. No one will notice us slip away.”

“All right. I will bring one of the ladies in just after eleven.” Somerton rose and smirked. “Don’t be late.”

“Of course not.”

Somerton departed from the conservatory, leaving behind a silence that overwhelmed the room. Matthew glanced around the room then sat in the chair by the fireplace. He leaned back and closed his eyes. Now that he had Somerton’s assistance, the hardest part of his plan would take the forefront.

Somehow, he had to get Jennette to agree to meet him in the greenhouse tonight. She might be embarrassed by what they had done and thus not comfortable talking to him yet. Perhaps he should write her a note—tell her he wished to apologize for his actions last night.

Although, the only thing he needed to apologize for was taking her so roughly. Had he known of her innocence, it wouldn’t have stopped him, but he could have made the experience so much easier on her.

He opened his eyes and rose from the chintz chair. He had to do this. She was his only hope at saving his life.

“What are you doing lying about in bed as if you are an invalid?”

Jennette sighed, looking over at Avis, who stood in the doorway with her hands over her chest in a most intimidating manner. “I have a headache.”

“No, you do not,” Avis replied, then shut the door and walked toward the bed. “The only thing wrong with you is embarrassment.”

Jennette covered her face with her hands. Elizabeth must have told Avis about what happened. How was she to face everyone after what she’d done last night?

“Well,” Avis continued. “I will not allow it. That woman was a shrew.”

Woman?
What woman?

“Furthermore, she had no right to include you when she was reprimanding Blackburn. I have to admit, I was shocked that you stood there and let her malign your name.”

Jennette felt the bed sink where Avis sat down. Perhaps her friend didn’t know everything that had happened. “I was so stunned by her venom, I didn’t know what to say,” she replied from behind her hands.

Slowly, Jennette let her hands drop from her face. “What am I to do, Avis?”

“To do? You will get out of this bed and dress. Then we shall saunter down the stairs for dinner as if nothing out of the ordinary occurred last night.”

“I can’t face them,” she whispered.
Or him
, she added to herself.

“Of course you can. Besides, I heard a few moments ago that they were leaving before their precious daughter became infected by the vice of this party.”

Jennette laughed. “Now I know you are jesting with me.”

“Actually, I am not. Mrs. Marston is dreadfully concerned about the influences here.” Avis rolled her eyes.

Jennette shook her head. “The same influences Mary will have to face every time she attends a party of the
ton
.”

“Exactly.”

Jennette looked away from her friend. Even though the Marstons were leaving, it didn’t change the fact that she couldn’t face the people downstairs. Or at least one of them.

“Now, tell me the real reason you cannot seem to leave this bed,” Avis said.

Jennette turned her head toward her friend. “What do you mean?”

Avis shook her head. “We have known each other forever, Jennette. What the Marstons said to you last night would never have kept you from breakfast or anything else.”

“I was embarrassed!”

“Of course you were.” Avis sent her a disbelieving look. “But when has that stopped you?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“No,” Avis replied casually. “Something else is making you remain in your room.”

Jennette sighed. “You know, don’t you?”

“I do now.”

“Did he leave the party?”

Avis shook her head. “No. I believe most people were quite surprised by that fact. He entered the morning room as if nothing had happened last night. Do you realize that your being at the same party as he has elevated his position? Most people assume that if you can be in the same room as Blackburn, he cannot be as terrible as the rumors say. In fact, I heard several people commend him for staying.”

“How can I face him, Avis?” Jennette felt heat cross her cheeks as she thought about what he’d done. “He saw me naked. He kissed my body.”

“Which is what making love is all about,” Avis replied in a soft tone.

“How did you get over your embarrassment with Banning?”

Avis chuckled. “I woke up with him in my bed. We were all alone in the cottage so I really had no choice but to face him.”

“But weren’t you embarrassed?”

“A little,” she answered and then stretched out at the end of the bed. “But I overcame it rather quickly.”

“Was he?” Jennette asked.

“Embarrassed?”

Jennette nodded.

“I don’t think so.” Avis frowned in thought. “I don’t think men get embarrassed about being seen without clothes. Perhaps it’s because of all the layers we women wear. We’re used to having so much clothing on our bodies.”

“Perhaps.”

“Jennette, men enjoy seeing us without our clothing. Didn’t you find it pleasant to look at him?”

“Avis, I cannot believe the questions you’re asking me today,” Jennette said, then grabbed a pillow and tossed it at her friend.

“And you’re not answering them,” Avis muttered from behind the pillow. After removing the object from her face, she said, “So answer my question.”

Jennette glanced away from the prying stare of her best friend. “I did enjoy it. What I saw of him…”

“Hmm, it sounds as if you didn’t get to see everything you wanted.”

“Avis!”

Her friend chuckled from the end of the bed. “All right, I promise to stop asking such embarrassing questions.”

Avis stood and pulled on Jennette’s hand. “Now get out of this bed. I’ll ring for Molly to help you get dressed but you are going to walk down those stairs with me for dinner.”

Jennette rose slowly and then hugged her new sister-in-law. “Thank you, Avis.”

As Molly helped her dress, Avis waited patiently on the bed. Jennette turned toward her with a rose-colored gown in her hands. “What do you think about this one?”

“Perfect, now hurry. You have been up here all day and people will start to assemble for dinner in the salon in thirty minutes.”

Jennette scrambled into her dress then sat while Molly put her hair up into an artful chignon. She had decided on her plan of attack for the evening. Ignoring him definitely seemed the best option. No one would blame her for cutting him. All she had to do was survive dinner, then stay for a short time once the men had rejoined the women in the salon.

Once her hair was set, she stood and turned toward Avis. “All right, I am ready.”

“Good,” Avis replied walking to the door. “Now, should we run into Blackburn, you will give him a polite nod. If he attempts to draw you into conversation, you will allow it but only topics that are general in nature. If he should try to get you alone, find me. Unless you would like to be alone with him again.”

“Avis!”

Her friend smirked. “Well, I certainly wanted more than just one time with—”

“Avis, we had an agreement. You wouldn’t discuss the intimate relationship you have with my brother.”

“Very well.”

Avis’s plan seemed far too easy. But she had no idea how intoxicating Matthew’s voice sounded to Jennette. His raspy voice sent shivers of pleasure throughout her body. Somehow, she had to resist him. All of him, from his sensual gray eyes to his molded lips, to his hard, lean chest to his—

She could not contemplate any other parts of his body.

Matthew watched as Jennette entered the salon with Lady Selby. Their arms linked together as if to form an impenetrable force to resist all the gossipy remarks. Or to stand firm against him. That thought gave him pause. While he assumed she would still be resistant to marriage, he hoped a public compromising would change her mind.

What if it didn’t?

What if she still refused him?

He pushed aside the negative thoughts. Her brother would insist on marriage, if only to save her from more gossip. As he watched her again, she moved toward the sofa with exquisite grace. Her long fingers grasped a small glass of sherry and brought it up to her full lips. Ancroft approached them with a smile.

Matthew’s heart constricted as Jennette smiled back at the future duke. Matthew still had no idea what was between them. They obviously hadn’t been lovers even though they looked at each other with tenderness in their eyes. He hated the idea of jealousy, but no other emotion would make him feel this way.

The short missive burned a hole in his coat pocket. There had to be a way to get it to her without everyone in the room realizing. Perhaps he could get Somerton to deliver it for him.

Glancing around the room, he noticed Somerton missing. Damn. How was Somerton going to bring the dowager Lady Selby to the greenhouse if he wasn’t in attendance? Based on her bearing tonight, he didn’t think she would speak to him much less take a note from him.

“Don’t even think of approaching her after last night.”

Matthew turned at the sound of Selby’s voice coming from behind him. “Why would I speak to her?”

“I know all about your plan to have her help you find a bride. That ends now. You will stay away from her.”

Matthew turned and faced Selby’s glittering blue eyes. “I don’t think you have any say in what I do.”

Selby smirked. “When it involves my sister, I most certainly do. You have caused her enough pain.”

“And yet, you do nothing about Ancroft hanging on to her like a pup.”

“Because I know Ancroft is harmless.”

Matthew chuckled scornfully. “Harmless? The man has a bastard. With a vengeance, he’ll chase after any woman he wants. As he is a future duke, women fall shamelessly at his feet.”

“And still, I know Jennette is far safer with him than with you.”

“Are they secretly betrothed?” Matthew held his breath, praying for the answer he wanted to hear.

“I should tell you that she is.” Selby sipped his drink.

“Then she isn’t,” Matthew said with relief.

“No,” Selby admitted. “But I would far prefer a match with him than with you.”

Of course he would. Why would any man want a penniless earl with a scandal attached to his name for his sister? Especially if he could arrange for his sister to marry a wealthy marquess who would be a duke one day.

“If you attempt to do anything further to ruin her name, I will call you out,” Selby said before walking to his wife.

So much for thinking Selby might agree to the marriage should he find them in a compromising position. Matthew knew he would have to depend on the dowager Lady Selby to convince her son that Matthew would be acceptable.

Somerton entered the salon, stood at the threshold, and scanned the room with his usual arrogance. Matthew nodded to him and tilted his head so that he would understand his need to speak with him. Somerton inclined his head so slightly most people wouldn’t have noticed. But Matthew did.

After observing the room like a lion on the hunt, Somerton sauntered toward him.

“Yes?” he said with impatience in his voice.

“I need you to get a missive to Lady Jennette,” Matthew whispered.

“Good God, man, do I look like a footman?”

“There is no one else I can trust.”

Somerton shook his head. “Very well, hand it over.”

Matthew casually removed the small note and gave it to Somerton. “Don’t let anyone else see it.”

Somerton grinned. “And I thought you trusted me.”

“Only in the smallest measure.”

“As it should be.”

Somerton cupped the missive in his palm and walked away. Matthew continued to watch him as the footman announced dinner. Somerton neared Jennette and then appeared to trip, catching himself on her. Matthew supposed that Somerton had handed the note to her while attempting to right himself.

Jennette assisted Somerton to his feet as a small paper floated down between her breasts. How had the man done that? She leaned in closer as if he needed more help.

“For me?”

He gave her a quick, knowing nod. “I apologize, Lady Jennette,” he said for the benefit of the room.

“It is of no consequence, my lord.”

He sent her a quick wink as people surrounded them. “Thank you for saving me from a most un-gracious fall.”

Jennette attempted to keep her lips from twitching in humor but doubted she succeeded. For all his scandalous reputation, there was something oddly endearing about Somerton. Walking out of the room, she headed for the ladies’ retiring room instead of the dining room.

Once there, she walked behind a screen as if to use the chamber pot. She pulled out the small note and unfolded it. Shaking her head as she read it, she could not believe he would ask her to meet him. She would never be so dim-witted again.

She had satisfied her curiosity regarding Matthew and their lust. But she couldn’t let that happen again. There had to be someone who would marry him. As much as seeing him with another woman would break her heart, it had to be done.

Walking back to the dining room, she entered from the side door. She ambled past the table, looking for her seat and with whom she would be eating. Her eyes widened as she found her place and Matthew across from her.

He smiled slowly at her. Her gaze slid to Lady Aston, who looked away, but not before Jennette noticed the malicious grin on her face.

Jennette glanced over at her mother, who sent her a sympathic smile. Baron Huntley, seated to her right, welcomed her.

“Good evening, Lady Jennette.”

Jennette slowly took her seat, attempting to ignore the blazing heat of Matthew’s stare. “Good evening, Huntley.”

“I’d heard you were feeling unwell earlier. I hope you are better now.”

“I am much recovered, thank you.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow at her. “Good evening, Lady Jennette.”

“Blackburn,” she replied curtly. But nothing could stop the heat from flaming across her face.

After the footman placed a plate of food in front of her, she pressed her hand to her stomach. She’d only eaten a piece of toast and a cup of tea all day. Now the rumbling in her stomach incited her to eat heartily, but, not wanting to look like a glutton, she slowly picked up her fork and cut a piece of beef.

As she ate, she attempted to ignore the glaring stare of the man across from her. Several times Matthew had tried to draw her into conversation, but she turned her attention to Huntley.

“Lady Jennette, I must tell you how impressed I am with your watercolors,” Huntley said before taking a bite of potatoes.

“Thank you, Huntley. Where did you see one of my watercolors?”

“Lady Elizabeth’s literary salon. She told me the watercolor above the sofa was your work.”

Jennette nodded. “Indeed.”

“Lovely.” He took a sip of his wine and turned slightly toward her before leaning in and whispering, “Almost as lovely as you.”

Jennette smiled tightly. “Thank you.”

Luckily, Huntley returned to his dinner and spoke to the lady on his right. She glanced over at Matthew, who tilted his head as one eyebrow rose in question. Why was it so hard to ignore the man? She had the oddest desire to ask him about his morning. Had he gone hunting with the men? Or stayed behind and practiced swords with Lord Aston?