Sweet Bravado (25 page)

“Have… have I denied you… your husbandly rights?” she asked candidly as he pulled her down beside him.

His penetrating look held her. “No, but you still do not carry my child.” There was a suggestion of reproach in his tone.

She gasped, and jerking away from his encircling arms, sat up. “That… that is not fair! Only this past month
have we… have we…” She blushed painfully and turned her back upon him.

He drew himself up beside her and said quietly, “you’re right, of course. I did not mean to cast aspersions. We have not had
the time or inclination to discuss family matters; nevertheless it is one of our… obligations.”

She flung about to face him, her lips trembling with emotion. “Oh, of course… our duty, Colonel!” she retorted bitterly and
put as much space between him and herself as possible in the big bed.

“Damn it, Nicole, I only meant… oh, hell, let’s skip it. I did not come here tonight to quarrel with you.” Reaching out for
her, he pulled her roughly into his powerful arms. “I only know I want you. Now.”

“Don’t, Val.” She squirmed ineffectually to free herself from his embrace. “I do not wish to… not now… not after this… this
conversation.”

“What better time?” he demanded hoarsely, drawing her closer and kissing the tip of her ear as she averted her face and continued
to resist him. “Stop struggling!” He chuckled good-naturedly.

“I will not!” she cried wrenching free.

“You will!” Valentin insisted, the humor gone from his voice as he clasped her once more in his arms and placed his burning
lips on hers, forcing a response. He was determined she would yield to his will.

Battling her own desire, Nicole fought against his tightening grip, only to find their bodies more firmly entwined upon the
mattress—her breast crushed beneath his hard chest. Ardently he stroked her naked flesh, and whispered intimately to her.
His own body trembled with the fiery torrent of his desire for this woman. Inevitably Nicole’s love for him swept away any
of her lingering resistance, and returning his passion, she yielded completely to the ecstasy of his demanding body.

Afterward, as she lay within the circle of his arm, Nicole wondered if she could be with child. There was nothing she would
like better than to present this arrogant Viscount with a son and heir. On this happy thought she drifted off to sleep.

Morning light was streaking the sky when she woke to the light touch of Valentin’s lips on her shoulder. She blinked and turned
bewildered eyes on him. This was the first time he had ever remained with her through the night. Pleased by this, she greeted
his smile with one of her own and wound her arms about his neck as he rose above her. This time she did not struggle against
the tumult of his desire but reveled in the glory of their union.

Later, emboldened by her new found contentment, Nicole snuggled next to him and felt his immediate response in another breath-crushing
embrace. Finally, releasing her, he sprang from the bed.

“Enough, woman,” he chuckled. “I promised to report to headquarters early, and I have Perry to see yet.”

“Val,” she sat up tugging the sheet above her breast.

“Mmh?” he smiled at her disheveled appearance.

“W… will you grant me a favor, please?” she coaxed.

“Anything in my power, my love.” He came over to her and began stroking her cheek gently. “What is it you desire?” His eyes
danced mischievously as he brushed a kiss across her lips.

Thrilled by his affection, Nicole reluctantly put her request into words. “It… it is about Perry.”

His reaction was immediate. The contented smile faded from his lips. “Well?” he asked sternly then removed himself from her
vicinity.

Unhappily she continued, “Do not be too harsh with him, Val. Let him explain how he feels… and… and do not scorn his opinions.”

“Scorn his opinions? You intimated something like that
last night,” he claimed, puzzled and exasperated. “Is that what you think I do?” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned
against the bedpost.

“Well… sometimes,” she faltered.

His eyes gleamed coldly as he strove to control his annoyance. Seeing his reaction, Nicole quickly slipped from the bed affording
him a captivating view of her full breasts and long limbs. Momentarily he forgot her insinuations as a more primitive urge
flared and burned through him. Covering herself and pulling her dark tresses from her negligee, she came to him, and placing
a tentative hand on his arm, Nicole looked beseechingly up into his brooding face. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he
asked pensively, “Why does it mean so much to you how I treat Perry?”

“He was so good to me when…” Here was another subject she did not wish to speak of; nevertheless, she went on, “when I was
in Paris. And I grew very fond of. him. I do not wish to see him hurt. Do try to understand, Val.”

He sighed deeply controlling a momentary jealousy of his own brother. It was absurd to react this way just because the boy
held a place in her affections which he himself did not. “Very well, it shall be as you wish.” He managed to smile slightly.

“Thank you,” she whispered and pressed a light kiss on his cheek.

“Nicole?” He reached for her.

“Yes?”

Checking himself abruptly, he answered curtly, “Never mind, it was nothing.” And he quickly left the room.

If only he could tell her how he felt. But no, not yet! He could not stand another rejection as he had in Paris. They might
be sleeping together, but there was more to love than that. Nevertheless, things were beginning to look
hopeful. She didn’t even protest when he took her this morning after having forced her to submit to him last night. Yet he
would have to learn to be patient. Valentin laughed. A patient Harcourt! Well, he could try.

Nicole was not sorry for her intervention on Perry’s behalf, for later that same afternoon Valentin’s brother burst into the
drawing room and swooped Nicole into a bear hug lifting her off her feet. “Nicole!” he yelled, “Val’s relented! I am not to
be sent packing!”

“Oh, Perry, I am pleased.” For more than one reason, she thought ecstatically. Valentin had listened to her and complied with
her request.

“Actually, there was not much else he could do.” Perry swaggered.

“Perry, never underestimate the power of your brother to make things go his way.”

“Oh, ho!” he jeered, “so, my dear sister-in-law has finally come to know her husband.”

“Never you mind,” she replied sternly before returning his smile. Then changing the subject, she invited him to join the ladies
for tea. Hastily he remembered another engagement and fled from the scene.

In Brussels there was the certainty that war must come, and yet everywhere there was the disbelief that it actually would
come. It was as if only constant activity could convince the people that life was normal and not about to tumble headlong
into chaos.

Reports of minor skirmishes between Napoleon and the Allies were duly circulated, embellished, distorted, and dissected. Once
more Napoleon was assuming the shape of invincibility. Everywhere he passed the countryside defected to him.

But, of course, there was Wellington who knew how to deal with the Corsican ogre. There was nothing to fear
with such as he to command the Allies. Wellington would settle Napoleon once and for all. Would he not?

So the city of Brussels continued to swell with the influx of men who prepared for war while the ladies filled their days
with a flurry of social activities.

At Lady Barclay’s card party Nicole found herself in the presence of Tessa Von Hoffman, but unlike past encounters, Nicole
detected a change in her regard toward Valentin’s former mistress. Noticing the lady’s voluptuous curves, she decided that
the woman was over-ripe— an overstatement of the provocative
femme fatale
who shamelessly drew attention to herself at every opportunity.

“The men in their uniforms are such a thrilling sight. I vow I never expected to find Brussels so enchanting.” Tessa was rhapsodizing
about the current military scene. “What is it about a man in uniform that makes him so irresistible?”

“I think it must be that men are at their best in war,” Sophie Everly, a romantic featherbrain, chimed in. “All that manly
strength and courage marching so valiantly to face death and destruction. It makes me quiver with admiration.”

“My dear Sophie,” Maria Bellington adjured, “I see nothing to admire in men cutting each other to pieces and spilling their
life’s blood in the carnage of war.” The note of censure in her voice attracted the attention of others.

“Oh, but I did not mean that at all,” Sophie replied abashed.

“Then just what is it that you think they march to, child?” Maria pursued.

“I did not think. I only meant they look so grand in their uniforms; as Madame Von Hoffman remarked.”

“Madame Von Hoffman’s reason for being in Brussels
is not the necessity that has brought many of us here. Since she has no one dear she fears to lose on the field of battle,
it must make for a perspective somewhat more careless…,” Caroline Revington added with ill-concealed malice. Justin Revington
was whispered to be the latest object of the Von Hoffman charm.

“Oh, but you do me an injustice, Lady Revington,” Tessa returned smugly. “There are many I hold dear among those gallant defenders.”

What had started as a mere exchange of pleasantries was threatening to become a verbal battle.

“Can it be half past the hour already?” interposed Laura Plendell with a mind to sidetrack a dangerous conversation. “I do
declare my husband gave strict instructions for me to be in attendance when he arrived home this evening. Dear Lady Barclay,
I must leave. Such a lovely party.”

Lady Barclay cast a grateful glance to Lady Plendell for her timely intervention which led the way for the breaking up of
the party. Soon all were making their compliments and leaving for home.

Nicole went to look herself over before the Viscount arrived to escort her home. When she opened the door to the powder room,
she was confronted with Tessa Von Hoffman who had just risen from the vanity. Nicole hesitated on the threshold. Although
they traveled in the same circle, they were never alone together or spoke to one another. But now Tessa faced her, a challenge
in her eyes.

“Don’t leave on my account, Lady Ardsmore.”

“I won’t.”

“No?” Tessa drawled. “But then why should you unless you still see me as a threat.”

Nicole sat down in front of the vanity ignoring Tessa while the older woman studied the Viscountess’s reflection
in the mirror. Then she startled Nicole by asking, “Do you love him very much?”

Nicole swung to face her. “That is none of your affair!”

“Yes, you love him. Who would not, eh?”

“I do not have to listen to this!” Nicole stood up as if to leave, but Tessa’s next words arrested her.

“Why he prefers you to me I do not understand. I would have remained his mistress even though he married you.”

“How dare you say these things to me!”

“Why not? If the chance comes for me to get him back, I will not hesitate to take it.”

“That you will never do!” Nicole retorted triumphantly. “You’ve lost him to me forever.”

“You think so?” Tessa taunted.

“I don’t think so, I know so. I don’t fear you any more, Madame Von Hoffman.” Nicole was surprised at the conviction in her
words. “If anything, I feel sorry for you.”

“Feel sorry for me?” Tessa was flabbergasted.

“Yes, you’re rather pathetic—having to seek out other women’s husbands—never finding a man who will desire you for himself
alone. I really see it now—you are pitiable.”

“Pitiable! Why you little beast, I could tell you stories…”

“Not anymore,” Nicole cut her off. “You’ve already done your worst, and you’ve failed. If only you had some pride and would
stop chasing after a man who no longer wants you, you would cease being an embarrassment to all of us.” Nicole sat down and
turned her back on her adversary, but her knees were shaking.

Speechless with rage and frustration, Tessa stalked from the room muttering darkly, “We shall see.”

Still trembling with anger and nerves, Nicole determined that Tessa would never get Valentin in her clutches again, and forgetting
her toilette, she raced along the corridor to the staircase, stopping abruptly to witness the scene below.

Valentin was crossing the deserted hallway to greet Tessa who had just descended the last stair. He was bestowing a charming
smile on the lady as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it briefly. “Ah Tessa, looking as lovely as ever, I see.”

“And you,
mon brave,
handsome as the devil himself.”

He bowed slightly in acknowledgment of the compliment. “Come tell me, how are you?”

“I go on, but I still miss you,
Liebchen.”
She made as if to encircle his arm, but he stepped away.

“I do not like to contradict a lady,” he said lightly, “but with all those adoring swains at your feet, how could you miss
me?”

“Well, one must have some diversion,
n’est-ce pas?”

“To be sure,” he responded with a laugh. But noticing Nicole poised at the top of the stairs, Valentin sobered and walked
past Tessa. “Ah, there you are, my sweet.” Then remembering the lady, he turned and bowed saying pointedly, “Goodbye, Tessa.”

“Goodbye, Valentin.” Tessa watched him turn to Nicole, her eyes full of bitter resignation.

Nicole took Valentin’s outstretched hand as his gaze swept her face looking for her reaction. To his relief she betrayed nothing.

Smiling she said, “I’m ready, my love.”

On the way home they spoke little, and Nicole knew that Tessa figured in his thoughts as well as hers. But Nicole no longer
considered the older woman a rival. She had passed beyond that stage of jealousy where Tessa was
concerned. This afternoon she saw the woman clearly for the first time. And she had observed the Viscount’s casual handling
of her, too. Sighing, Nicole snuggled closer to her husband who seemed surprised, yet responded with aplomb by kissing her
lightly on the cheek.