The Temptation of Lady Serena (7 page)

 

Two days later, Robert attended the gala opening of Almack’s. Having been carefully coached by his Aunt Freddy, he presented himself, correctly attired in a black coat and knee-breeches, to his grandmother’s house.

Upon entering the assembly rooms at Almack’s, he stifled a groan at the thought he’d once more have to stand up with other ladies. The only bright spot in this evening would be dancing with Serena.

He assisted his grandmother to the seats set up for dowagers and spent a few minutes conversing with her and Freddy. Robert searched the room for Serena, intending to ask her to waltz, but remembered she could not until approved by one of Almack’s patronesses. He glanced at his aunt, silently pleading for her help before another gentleman could waltz with Serena.

“Very well, come, I will take you to Mrs. Drummond-Burrell.” Freddy placed her hand on his arm and maneuvered him through the crowded room to a haughty-looking matron.

“Clementina, my nephew, Viscount Beaumont, would like to be recommended to Lady Serena Weir as an acceptable dance partner.”

A slow smile graced Mrs. Drummond-Burrell’s countenance. “Indeed, I would be happy to propose him.”

Robert offered Mrs. Drummond-Burrell his arm and escorted her to where Serena stood with her aunts.

Mrs. Drummond-Burrell did not even bother to introduce herself, before saying, “Lady Serena, you do not dance. May I present Lord Beaumont to you as a desirable partner?”

Serena curtsied and thanked the patroness.

Triumphant, Robert led Serena out to waltz.

“How did you do that so quickly?” she asked with amazement. “I was quite certain I would be made to wait forever before being allowed to waltz.”

“I used my influence.” He smiled smugly. “My Aunt Freddy is an old friend of Mrs. Drummond-Burrell.”

“That was well done of you, my lord.”

“I am glad you think so. Once I take you back to your aunts, you’ll be surrounded by your court. Will you grant me another waltz before they’re all taken?”

Serena grinned. “Yes, of course. After all, you must be rewarded for making it possible for me to waltz so soon.”

Robert studied, sure he’d find an arch look or a flirtatious smile. There was nothing but happiness in her eyes and on her face. Something tugged inside him. Elation and a warmth of a different sort rose as he twirled her around the dance floor. It was as if he’d won some sort of contest.

When he returned her to her aunts, the gentlemen, now clamoring to dance with her, abused him for stealing the march on them. Robert’s chest puffed out; he was proud that he’d accomplished what none of the others had.

He considered remaining next to her, but the platitudes and flattery from the other men irritated Robert. He made his way back to his grandmother hoping to hide from the patronesses. But, with what he could only describe as a gleefully evil expression on her face, Lady Jersey insisted on introducing him to another young woman.

Ignoring the envious looks from the other gentlemen, Beaumont claimed his second waltz with Serena. Once he had his hand on her back, he snapped (he’d tried to soften his tone, but hadn’t succeeded), “You’re surrounded by admirers.”

She tilted her head. “Yes, I suppose you could call them admirers. Is something wrong?”

“No.” Only that he wanted to claim her for himself and this was not the proper venue. He resisted tightening his hold on her. “You must be gratified to have so many gentlemen dancing attendance on you.”

“I would rather have one man that I cared for, and who cared for me, dance attendance, as you put it, than be surrounded by a court of admirers.”

Her sincerity stunned Robert, and his stomach clenched like he’d been punched. When she said care, she meant love. Did that mean she was starting to care about him, and how would she feel if she knew he was incapable of the emotion?

He changed the conversation to Arthur’s teething and Serena regaled him with a story. At the end of the dance, he led her back to her aunts.

Sir Gregory Moreham regarded Robert with a sapient eye. “What is your game, Beaumont? Never known you to attend Almack’s before.”

Robert responded with a bored drawl, “It pleases my grandmother, of course. Must do the pretty you know.” Beaumont strolled away to do his duty by leading a young miss out for a country dance, but could not stop thinking about what Lady Serena said, or her serious expression when she’d said it. He wanted badly to possess her.

 

Serena tried to keep her mind on Sir Gregory. Used to waltzing now, she made the startling discovery that only when Lord Beaumont held her did she feel breathless and aware of every move her partner made. No other gentleman made her legs feel weak or her breathing quicken.

She caught him glancing at her and heat rose to her cheeks. She quickly turned her attention back to her partner. Had she been clear enough in her response to Lord Beaumont? Did he now understand that all the attention she received from other gentlemen was not equal to one man who loved her? He’d changed the conversation so quickly, Serena couldn’t be sure and she must be. Perhaps she should retreat a bit and give them both time to think.

 

At a soirée three weeks later, Serena, surrounded by her court, watched Beaumont join Marcus, Phoebe, Anna, and Rutherford. Phoebe glanced at Serena, and she returned Phoebe’s inquiry with a silent plea for rescue. The gentlemen were all very nice, but none of them affected her heart. Sick of the pretense, she’d been trying, without success, to escape.

As Phoebe linked arms with Anna and walked toward Serena, she hid her sigh of relief.

“Lady Serena,” Phoebe said, “Lady Bellamny is asking for you. Come, I’ll take you to her.”

Worried now, Serena excused herself and, though her group of admirers frowned, none of them attempted to accompany her.

“Phoebe, what does Lady Bellamny want with me?”

“I don’t even know if she is here.” Phoebe grinned wickedly. “But, I do know none of the gentlemen will follow us if they believe she’s seeking you.”

Serena laughed. “Phoebe, what will you think to do next?”

“Yes, unscrupulous of me, was it not?” Phoebe’s eyes sparkled wickedly. “But most effective.”

They strolled around the garden lit with lanterns bobbing in the trees and set on the sides of the paths.

“Now, what is wrong?” Phoebe asked. “You look to be in a brown study instead of enjoying yourself. You should be taking pleasure in your success.”

Serena sighed. “I find my life a little empty. When I first arrived in London, there was such a lot to learn, and so much to do, it took all my time. In the past, I’ve been devoted to helping people. Now, all I do is attend parties and indulge myself. I no longer have a purpose. It’s as if my life is stalled.”

“I understand.” Phoebe sympathized. “Yet for the present, you must concentrate on finding a husband, which means attending entertainments. How goes it with Beaumont?”

Thinking of him deepened Serena’s frustration. Ever since that evening at Almack’s when she’d blurted out her desires, she’d held back, waiting for him to show her how he felt. “I see him many mornings while riding, and he ensures that he waltzes with me twice at each ball. Frequently, I’ve caught him staring at me. If he is interested in me, I don’t understand why he’ll say nothing to the point!”

She shrugged. “We never have a conversation that is deeper than inane civilities. He looks as if he expects me to do something, but I’ve no idea what. Am I meant to read his mind?”

Anna shook her head in disgust. “It sounds very like what Rutherford did. He took a long time to recognize his feelings and then to figure out what to do about them. I had time to spare; what will happen to you if you return to Scotland unmarried?”

Serena frowned. “I cannot. My brother as much as told me there was nothing there for me anymore. I don’t want to live with Aunt Catherine. She is all that is kind, but it simply would not do. I am too much used to managing my own life.”

Lines creased Phoebe’s forehead. “Have your feelings grown any deeper for Robert?”

“Yes, if only he did not keep me at arm’s length. Every time we begin to discuss anything of importance, he changes the subject. I like him very much. More than that actually, yet I am all out of patience with him.”

“We need a plan,” Phoebe said. “Let me think on it a bit. We shall come up with something.”

Anna patted Serena’s arm. “If anyone can make up some sort of scheme, we will.”

 

Irritated, Robert turned to Marcus and Rutherford. “I don’t know what to do about her. I’ve been to every drum, ball, and rout party Lady Serena’s attended for the past month. I’ve ensured that I’ve danced with her twice at each ball. I ride with her frequently, and I’ve even taken her driving during the Promenade, but I’m not making any progress. What
has
happened,” Robert scowled, “is I’ve become the target for every matchmaking mama in Town.”

Rutherford’s expression was thoughtful. “What do you discuss when you’re with Serena?”

Robert shrugged. “I speak with her on very unexceptional subjects, of course.”

“Which unexceptional subjects?” Rutherford asked.

“You know, the usual topics of conversation one has with a female. The latest
on-dits
, the weather. How Arthur’s teething is progressing. It’s amazing how ladies love the infantry.”

He could have easily finished with the epitaph: That one is not trying solely to bed.

Rutherford snorted with disgust. “Has it occurred to you to ask what her life was before she came to London?”

Marcus narrowed his eyes. “Or what her views are on estate management?”

“Are you mad? How should she have any ideas on that?”

Marcus shook his head. “Because, you profligate chucklehead, that’s what she did while her father was an invalid and continued after he died. Her brother was away on Wellington’s staff.” Marcus sighed. “I don’t understand how you could have spent so much time in Serena’s company and know nothing about her. What the devil ails you?”

“I know exactly what ails him,” Rutherford said with disgust. “He’s never before been interested in knowing more about a female than it takes to get one into his bed. All of his interactions have been strictly of the physical nature. Robert, you must decide if you care enough about her to change your ways.”

“I
have
changed my ways.” His jaw firmed. “Why the deuce do you think I’m here, or at Almack’s, or anywhere else I’ve been in the past month? It isn’t because I’m enjoying it.”

Marcus rubbed his hand over his face. “Robert, do you have feelings for Serena?”

Beaumont waited several moments before replying. His voice was a low growl. “Yes, damn it. I can’t touch her hand without craving more. I can’t see her dance with another man without wanting to thrash him and drag her away. I’ve never felt like this before. But will these feelings last? What if they don’t? Phoebe made me promise I wouldn’t try to fix my attentions until I am sure of myself.”

“Well, you’d best become sure.” Marcus warned. “Serena will—”

Rutherford coughed. “—be arriving any second with our wives.”

Marcus kicked Robert and he turned.

 

The tension Serena’s mere presence created rolled off him. She feigned calm, but her quickened breathing was evident in the movement of her breasts.

Dear God, had she heard him?

In the midst of the unspoken drama, a titter was heard. The group turned as one toward the noise. Miss Tice and Miss Martindale were approaching.

Robert groaned.

The young ladies curtsied and greeted them all, then Miss Tice looked meltingly up at Robert. “Lord Beaumont, we wanted to know if you would like to escort us around the gardens. They are so beautiful tonight.” She giggled.

Robert struggled to hide his dismay. He glanced at Serena, noting the sudden amusement in her eyes.

She smiled gently at the young woman. “I am terribly sorry to disappoint you, but Lord Beaumont just offered to escort me around the gardens.”

Robert threw Serena a grateful look.

Holding out his arm, he replied. “Indeed I did. Shall we go?” When they were out of hearing, he said in a low voice, “I cannot thank you enough.”

Her lips curved up. “I daresay it must be an interesting experience for you to be the hunted, rather than the hunter.”

“Do you know, I have never thought of it in quite that way?” Some of his tension eased.

They spent the next half hour wandering by gaily lit gardens. Night-blooming jasmine and nicotiana wafted through the air. Robert made a concerted effort to encourage Serena to talk about herself. In turn, he told her a little about himself, until the talk turned to his home, and he deflected the conversation back to her. “When you spoke of your life in Scotland, I assumed you had a steward managing your estate. Marcus just told me you did it yourself.”

“Why would you think otherwise?”

“I hadn’t given it much thought, since you’re a woman.”

Serena’s lips tightened, and he knew he’d made a mistake. Now would be a good time for someone to kick him. “How did you manage?”

Serena stared at him as if surprised he’d continued the topic. “I’d had years of practice before my father died, and running an estate interests me. Do you not manage yours, my lord?”

“No.” His tension returned. “I have an excellent steward.” Robert didn’t want to talk about home. It engendered few happy memories, and he spent as little time there as possible. He immediately changed the topic. “If you are interested, I could get up a party to Vauxhall. Everyone should attend at least once.”

Serena’s smile returned to her face. “I have wanted to go to Vauxhall since I was told of it. You always seem to offer to take me to places I’ve not visited before. Thank you.”