The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (9 page)

“Thank you.” Adam let out a long, controlled breath. “But remember, the lady is mine.”

“So, you do care!”

“Let’s put it this way. I found her. She belongs to me!” he stated in no uncertain terms.

Jonathan couldn’t help laughing. “You talk as if Jewel is a piece of goods to be bought and sold, and the person who had possession was her owner. I think you’re in for a rude awakening, ol’ chap.”

Before Adam could issue a stinging reply, the study door opened and the subject they had been discussing entered the room. Jewel was a vision of femininity. Her simple dress was made of white percale that fitted at the top and gathered with soft pleats at the waist. The bottom of her skirt had a muslin flounce trim. She wore a pink embroidered Spencer jacket with puffed shoulders and long velvet sleeves that fitted over the bodice and accented her tiny waistline, and her hair had been tied back with a soft pink ribbon of lace.

The two men both stood as she walked over to them, but Jonathan moved first, claiming her hand. He placed it in the crook of his arm. “Let me escort you into the dining room. I must say you look lovely tonight, my dear.”

“Thank you,” Jewel murmured.

Jonathan glanced over his shoulder. “Are you coming, Adam?” Jonathan was well pleased with the black look he received.

Jewel noticed extra candles had been placed on the dining room table. Soft light bathed the room, and in the middle of the table was a beautiful centerpiece of orange and yellow cut flowers. She took her seat across from Jonathan, and Adam sat at the head of the table.

The quail was delicious, but most of all she enjoyed Jonathan’s carefree company. He was such an imp, making her laugh often. Even Adam seemed to finally relax as he told her about the mischief he and Jonathan had gotten into when they were younger.

Jewel kept wiping the tears off her cheeks. She didn’t know when she had laughed so much.

Seeing her eyes glisten with laughter, Adam once again found himself wondering about the lady. He knew Jonathan was trying his damnedest to be charming, and it irritated him. But despite that, Adam was surprised the evening proved so enjoyable. He now found he’d hate leaving her, but he knew he must.

“Jewel,” Adam said, gaining her attention, “I’ll be departing for London in a couple of days.”

“Why?” Her brow furrowed but her eyes never left his.

“Why?” He couldn’t believe she had asked why ... instead of just accepting his statement. He certainly couldn’t tell her the truth, and he wasn’t accustomed to explaining
why
he was doing things; however, there she sat, waiting for his answer.

“I’ve decided to let Jonathan oversee Brierclif
f when I return to America, so I need to see my lawyer to sign the necessary legal papers. Perhaps if I’m lucky, I also will hear something about you while I’m there. Enough time has elapsed. Someone should be asking questions.” Of course there was another reason, the most important of all, but she’d have to accept the excuse he’d just given. “Jonathan has agreed to keep an eye on you while I’m gone so if you need anything, he’ll be near.”

“I will look forward to your company, Jonathan.” Jewel presented him with the most dazzling smile. Then turning to Adam, she said, “Have you decided when you’ll be sailing?” Adam clenched his teeth at the way she smiled at

Jonathan. Why didn’t she look at
him
that way? Since that night when she’d blurted out that he was handsome, she’d treated him as an older brother—an aging duke. She could at least look a little sad, he thought. Instead, she seemed happy at the prospect of seeing more of Jonathan. Damn woman! It was a good thing he didn’t care a fig for her . . . as it was, she was driving him crazy enough.

“I’ll be sailing the first of the year,” Adam stated bluntly. His previously good mood having disappeared, he found he didn’t want to discuss his leaving any further. “Good night, Jewel.” Standing abruptly, he looked at Jonathan. “Shall we have our brandy in the study?”

Well, she might not have a memory, but she certainly knew when she’d been insulted! Jewel raised an eyebrow, having picked up the damn habit from him. She wouldn’t give Adam the satisfaction of seeing how his words stung her. Slowly, she placed her napkin on the table, then rose from her chair.

She turned to Jonathan, addressing him deliberately. “You have made dinner very pleasant tonight. I hope to see you again soon.” Turning, she walked out of the dining room with her head held high, but before she got completely through the door, she looked over her right shoulder. “Good night, Your Grace.”

Adam smiled grimly. He’d noticed the high color that stained her cheekbones and knew he’d made her angry, but at the moment he required some distance from her. He also needed to speak with Jonathan in private, he realized with a weary sigh. Tomorrow, he would make amends. He’d promised to take Jewel riding, and that was just what they would do.

Yes, tomorrow would be
their
day.

The next morning, seeing the door to Jewel’s room ajar, Adam gently pushed it open and leaned against the doorway while he watched with amusement as she jerked the silver-handled brush through her ebony tresses. Her hair crackled and shone, and Adam wondered if she longed to use that brush on him.

He knew she saw him in the mirror, and he wanted to laugh at her rigid back as she attempted to ignore him. It didn’t seem to bother her one bit that she was dressed in a rose-colored robe. There didn’t seem to be a modest bone in her body, and he wondered about that. Just what kind of upbringing had she had? In every other way she appeared a lady.

Evidently, she was still a little upset over his rude dismissal of her the night before.

“Don’t you ever knock?” Jewel snapped, eyeing him from the mirror.

“Not in my home, I don’t,” he drawled, a slight smile upon his face.

Her reflection glared at him. “If you’re trying to point out that this is your home—I’m well aware of that fact.”

From the way he looked, her rudeness hadn’t fazed him. His casual manner irritated her. “Still angry about last night?” he asked casually.

“What makes you think I’m upset?”

“Well, for some strange reason your hair seems to be tak
ing a lot of abuse. I wouldn’t be surprised if it all fell out, the way you’re brushing it.” He chuckled.

She slammed the brush down and turned to face him. “Is there something I can do for you?”

His eyes twinkled devilishly. “Sweetheart, there’s a lot you could do for me. However, I’m going to do something for you.”

“Oh.” Jewel looked skeptical. His easy humor caught her off guard.

“How would you like to go for the ride I promised? I thought we could take a picnic lunch.”

She jumped up, forgetting her earlier irritation. All she could think about was getting beyond th
e castle walls and out into the fresh air. “Do you mean it?” Seeing Adam nod, she ran over, threw her arms around his neck, and placed a light kiss on his cheek. “Thank you! I’ll be dressed in a moment.” In her excitement, she hadn’t thought twice about her small display of affection, or the fact that her arms were still wrapped around his neck.

At his sharp intake of breath, she suddenly realized the position she was in. Before she could retreat, his arms went around her waist, and she felt his breath hot against her forehead and his hard muscular body beneath her fingers. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

With only a robe between them, Adam liked the feel of Jewel’s firm young body pressed next to his. He reached out and stroked the curve of her throat with his knuckle, thinking perhaps they should have their picnic here in the bedroom. What a delicious thought!

She wasn’t good at hiding her emotions, and somehow he knew he’d always be able to look into her liquid brown eyes and see the truth. At the moment, he could see doubt, but there was a passion that burned deep, a yearning he’d seen other women pretend to feel. God help him, he wanted to taste the fire and lose his soul in this woman’s charms.

Bending his head, he gently brushed her lips. His voice sounded raspy as he struggled for control. “Sweetheart, I think you should get dressed . . . unless you can think of something else we could do?”

Remembering that Jewel wasn’t one of his paramours, he released her. But the move was so sudden that she stepped back on her gown and lost her balance. Quickly, he reached to steady her. She really was clumsy, he thought, but adorable.

Jewel trembled. She had no idea what to say. Adam’s lazy smile made her breath catch, and she felt that she was falling under his spell. And the worst thing was that she couldn’t seem to stop herself from feeling this way. Being only a temporary part of his life, she could never be anything more to him. Hadn’t he already told her he was leaving and, memory or no memory, she’d be on her own? The feelings she had for him were nothing more than gratitude. After all, he had saved her life, so it was natural to find her rescuer attractive. Wasn’t it?

The gleam she saw in his gray eyes scared her because she didn’t quite understand it. “I—if I am to ride, I’ll need something to wear other than a gown. Should I wear the breeches I had on earlier or did you buy me something?”

“I did.” Adam grinned. “It’s deep purple. Would you like me to help you find it?”

“N-no,” she stammered, pushing him out of the room. “I’ll find it myself. I’m sure it’s not proper for you to be here, especially when I’m not dressed.”

He turned around, catching her hand in his. He lifted her fingers and placed a brief kiss. “I think it’s the most proper time.”

Jewel’s thoughts were on Adam as she finished dressing. He could be so charming, and for one brief moment when he had held her, she had wanted something more. Even though she wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted from him. He confused her.

Her spirits were high. Finally, she would see this strange land she found herself in. She looked into the mirror and liked what she saw. The deep purple velvet made her skin look creamy and smooth, and it also brought out tiny flecks of purple in her eyes. The white muslin petticoats hung just below the hem of her skirt, giving it the appearance of lace trim, which also matched the lacy front of her blouse, and a snug-fitting jacket accented her small waist.

Annie pulled Jewel’s hair up to one side, pinning a hat of purple and white ostrich feathers there. The ends of the feathers came down and barely touched her high cheekbones. Of course, she didn’t need rouge since Adam usually kept her cheeks tinted pink.

Worried she’d taken too long, she flew down the stairs, practically knocking Adam down.

“Slow down, sweetheart. You’re going to be the death of one of us yet. Here, let me look at you.” Adam stood back, giving his approval. “You look lovely, but then I knew you would when I picked out that color.”

She had a moment to look at Adam’s attire. His riding jacket was made of the same rich material as hers. Most men wouldn’t dare wear purple, but then she was finding out that Adam Trent wasn’t like most men. Yet upstairs, she’d really been aware of his manly ways. She felt her body grow warm as she continued to take in Adam’s clothing. His white shirt opened at the neck, revealing golden skin. The brocaded waistcoat matched his black riding pants, and his Hessian boots glistened from hours of polishing. Just one look at him spoke of his noble background.

Once outside, they found the horses had been brought around front. Marie gave them a blanket and a basket packed with food. Jewel draped the blanket over her arm and held the wicker basket while Adam placed everything on Star.

Walking over to her mount, she marveled at how tall the animal appeared.

“Jewel, 1 don’t think you’ve ridden before,” Adam informed her.

“What makes you say that?”

“You’re on the wrong side of the horse, my dear. You mount from the left.”

“Oh,” Jewel mumbled, embarrassed at making a fool of herself once again. She moved around to the other side. “Adam, this horse is too high. I think I need a smaller one.”

Adam chuckled, and the groom’s head snapped up in amazement. Apparently, laughter from Adam was not a common occurrence. The groom smiled, then shook his head.

“I think this afternoon is going to be an interesting experience for both of us.” Adam helped her up before mounting himself.

“Don’t be afraid or the horse will sense it,” he instructed, showing her how to hold the reins properly.

“I’m not afraid,” Jewel said confidently.

Adam was pleased at how fast she learned to handle her mount. Her ostrich feathers had slid a little further down her face, but it made her look delightful. Accustomed to being around women who had to have every little hair in place, Adam found Jewel a refreshing change.

The crisp beautiful morning made Jewel appreciate her jacket. Autumn colors flecked the countryside as they rode away from Briercliff. She turned and looked back over her shoulder. The castle appeared to watch over the valley and the sea, a fortress high on the cliffs of Cornwall.

“Briercliff is beautiful,” Jewel commented, turning back to him.

They rode along steep cliffs that fell to a sea littered with fang-toothed rocks and shallow reefs. Adam smiled as Jewel peeked over the edge. He explained that the many coves were havens for smugglers. They could hide themselves and their loot in every nook and cranny without fear of discovery.