The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (5 page)

His eyes had clashed with hers, just as she’d turned. How did this man see beyond every defense she erected between them? The others had been so easy to discourage.

She wasn’t worried though. Her father had not encouraged any involvement with him. That, too, was puzzling, since a viscount would normally be considered a good catch.

Lady Halsford leaned around Caroline to speak with Damon. “I heard you speak of a sister, Lord Royston. Do you have any other siblings?”

“No, Lady Halsford. No other family except for my aunt and her husband, the Marquis of Sommerplace. My mother died when my sister was born. My father, later.”

“Lady Sommerplace? I believe I met your aunt last year at an afternoon tea. In fact, I’m sure I did. And of course we spoke with her briefly this evening. She is a charming lady.”

“Thank you for your gracious comments. I hear the band beginning to tune up. Please excuse me. I’m expected to dance with a certain lady for this set.” He stood, bowed, and moved briskly around several people conversing. Then he disappeared out the doorway.

“What a nice gentleman. I certainly don’t understand your father’s disapproval of him.”

Caroline didn’t respond. “Sara and Joan, are you ready to return to the ballroom?”

“Yes,” Joan said. “Mama and Papa will be looking for me. Papa always likes to leave early. Parties bore him after the first hour.” She laughed good-naturedly. “I tend to agree with him. See you two soon.”

“Mama, Sara, shall we go?” Caroline asked. They stood and followed her out.

Sara spoke to Caroline as they wove their way around the crowded room before finding a place to stand. “Lord Royston is really very gracious and handsome. I can’t understand your dislike.”

“Neither do I understand my husband’s disapproval, Sara,” Lady Halsford said.

“Can we please discuss something or someone else?” Caroline snapped.

Sara and Mama stared at her. Caroline almost never lost her temper, and certainly not with family or friends. She had not felt herself since meeting that man.

* * * *

Damon walked around the dance floor searching for Edward and his bride to say good-bye. Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Christopher would bring Hannah home. It was time for him to leave.

His chest burned. He clenched his jaw. He had to leave or otherwise he’d find her, draw her to an empty corner, and pull her soft body against his. He’d ravish that cold mouth of hers until it warmed. Plus, he’d love to go to the game room and win all of the Earl of Halsford’s money. To leave him penniless would bring him great pleasure, but not yet. That would be too quick. He preferred to prolong his confusion and anxiety. He’d waited twelve years. He would manage to be patient a little longer.

After he said his good-byes, he headed outside. The cool night refreshed him after the stale, warm air inside. Rook joined him as he stood on the steps, undetermined whether to go to a club or home.

“I was glad to see you leaving. Let’s go to White’s. It will be more interesting than this ball. After we leave there, we can continue on to Madame Maisie’s. Her girls are beautiful and accommodating.”

“You always did have the best ideas, Rook. Let’s go squander the night away. It has been a very long time since I spent a night out in London.”

Damon had one drink with Rook and several of their friends at White’s before deciding to forego the trip to Madame Maisie’s establishment. He had plans to pursue tomorrow and tonight his mind was too full of gray eyes, golden hair, and the challenge of her cold lips. He smiled to himself when he thought about her and all the puny attempts she made to ignore or avoid him. All to no avail. He would have her. He had made up his mind.

How well would her father sleep each night knowing Damon had control of his only child? He would lose his money and his daughter. Afterward, maybe Damon’s thirst for revenge would be quenched. But would this hunger he had for Caroline ever be?

* * * *

Caroline was glad to return to the ballroom. But, although she danced constantly, she thought the night would never end.

When her father returned from the game room and announced it was time to leave, Caroline was ready. The gray pallor on her father’s face worried her. He brushed aside her concerns, saying he was tired.

As soon as they arrived home, Caroline hurriedly left her parents and went upstairs. She sat at her dressing table and bowed her head. Headaches seldom bothered her, but tonight her head throbbed.

“Would you like me to brush your hair, my lady?” Mary asked as she slipped into the room.

“Please. I would appreciate it.”

“I can see you don’t feel well.”

“No, I don’t.”

She gave a sigh of relief when Mary freed her hair of the hairpins. Mary pulled the brush gently through her hair. “You should dress your hair up more, my lady. It is so beautiful, but no one really sees its beauty in the tight hairstyles you prefer.”

“Perhaps that is the reason I chose those hairstyles, Mary. I don’t want to draw attention to myself.”

Mary quipped, “’Tis going to be a right fine surprise on your wedding night, my lady, for your husband.”

Caroline stood abruptly and went over to her bed. “Thank you, Mary. Please help me out of out of my clothes and then go get some rest. I really must lie down.”

When Mary left, Caroline crawled into her bed and pulled the covers over her head. This evening had been most unpleasant. She didn’t want Lord Royston’s attention. Maybe if she repeated that enough, her body might stop responding to him. He was handsome, she admitted reluctantly. His dark-brown hair and sea-blue eyes were striking, and his wide shoulders shone to perfection in his evening jacket. Nevertheless, she had learned long ago to look beneath the outward coverings of a person. He made her uncomfortable, and she didn’t like the feeling of not being in control when he was near.

* * * *

Damon stopped by the bank to talk with Mr. Brown, his banker, and then went to the docks to watch the unloading of one of his ships. He walked into the shadowy warehouse and stood while his eyes adjusted to the dimness.

“Hello, Lord Royston. Did you come to see about your goods?”

“Yes. I’d like to choose some new materials as a gift for my aunt and sister.”

“Best look in these crates over here to the right.” The worker walked ahead and opened several wood boxes. They were full of silks of gorgeous colors, and one had shawls of fine silk and others of cashmere.

Damon chose several pieces of silk he thought his aunt and sister would like and a shawl for each. As he pulled his hand out of the crate, the blue-green edge of a piece of silk caught on his coat sleeve. He pulled it free.

The material was light and a swirl of blues and greens. He pulled it out of the box and chose a silver cashmere shawl to go with it.

“Wrap this silk and the shawl for me. But first, bring me a card from my desk in the office. I want to write a note to place inside. When you’re finished, I’ll address the package. Then I’ll take the other silks and shawls for my aunt and sister with me.”

“Yes, my lord.” The man took all the articles Damon had chosen and went toward the office.

Damon thought of her flashing eyes and golden hair. She’d never have the silk made into a dress. He was almost sure she’d return it, but someday he would wrap it around her. When she was his.

His nostrils flared and his breath quickened when he considered touching her soft porcelain skin, and then kissing those cold lips until they were warm…and her.

She was like fire and ice. He would melt the ice. If he played his cards right, he would have her and his revenge.

“My lord.” The man held out the card. Damon scribbled his message and secretly chuckled thinking of her response when she got the package and read the note. The gift was quickly wrapped and brought to him.

Damon wrote the address with his slashing letters on Caroline’s. “Send it right away.”

* * * *

“Caroline, are you ready?” her mother called up the stairs.

Caroline hurried down the steps. Her white muslin gown, covered in tiny rose buds and trimmed in pink ribbon and embroidery, fell in soft folds to her pink, low-heeled slippers. On her head, she wore a white bonnet with pink lining.

“You look very nice,” her mother commented while pulling on her gloves. “I know you will enjoy this tea. It is such an honor to be invited to the Duchess of Osbert’s home.”

“Yes, Mama, I am sure it will be very pleasant.”

“Did you remember we will be going to the Monroes’ for dinner and music this evening?”

Caroline nodded yes, although she planned to have a headache and miss the dinner. She wasn’t ready to take a chance on running into Lord Royston so soon. She felt fairly safe the man wouldn’t be at the tea.

Sara met them after they’d been greeted by their hostess. She said hello to Lady Halsford and waited until Caroline’s mother had joined the other matrons. Then she clasped Caroline’s arm, pulling her into a small sitting room. Joan was already there.

“We have only a few minutes before we must join the others,” Sara said. “Joan and I are full of curiosity about what happened last night. You never did really explain why you don’t like the handsome viscount.”

Caroline looked at their faces. Sara was smiling her usual sweet smile. Joan was the tallest of the three and had dark hair. She had dressed in a light-green gown with white trim. Her expression showed her usual reserve as she waited patiently for Caroline’s explanation. They had all been friends since childhood and had shared their secrets with each other. But how did she explain something she didn’t understand herself?

“I’m not sure. He annoys me. I think it’s the challenge he mentioned. Rook must have told him my nickname, Lady Icicle, and he seems to have decided to try and melt the ice.”

“How is he doing?” Sara asked. “He’s very handsome.”

“Hah, I don’t care how good looking he is. I feel strange when he is near, as though he has the upper hand. I don’t understand it.”

“Maybe it’s love,” Sara persisted.

“Really, Sara, you are such a romantic.” Joan patted Sara’s hand. “We love you, but I agree with Caroline. I’d be wary of a man making such a challenge. It sounds very improper.”

“The strangest part is Papa said he wasn’t the one for me to marry, and he and Mama are constantly encouraging me to choose someone.”

“We need to join the group,” Sara said. “By the way, his sister, Hannah, and his aunt, Lady Sommerplace, arrived a few minutes before you. Maybe you can find out something from his sister. She’s a sweet girl.”

“Wonderful, introduce me.”

Sara agreed. They went out to the terrace where everyone had congregated.

The day was perfect, beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds. The ladies added to the colorful picture in their light, pastel-colored muslin gowns. They moved gracefully around the terrace with the spring flowers blooming behind them. Caroline took a deep breath of the fresh air. A breeze ruffled her hair and some of the distress from last night left her.

Sara took Caroline’s hand and led her to an older woman with blonde hair and dark-blue eyes sitting beside a young lady with the same coloring. They have his eyes, Caroline thought as they smiled at her. Only their eyes were warm and welcoming.

“Aunt Elizabeth, this is the lady I told you about. The one who danced the waltz so gracefully with Damon last night.” Hannah smiled across at Caroline. “I was telling Damon today, I can hardly wait to get permission to dance the waltz.”

“Had you met my nephew before last night?” His aunt looked at Caroline over the edge of her teacup.

“No. Last night was our first introduction.” Well, that wasn’t exactly a lie. They hadn’t been introduced that day on the street corner. “His friend, Viscount Roland Stinson, introduced us.”

“Ah, you mean Rook. He and Damon have been friends since they met in school. Rook, Damon, Lord Sylvester, and the Marquis of Milbourgh were quite a foursome. I think they are the only friends Damon kept in touch with over the years when he was traveling.”

“He must have been away a long time.” Caroline took a sip of her tea. “I’ve not heard of him, and I’ve been out the past three years.”

The question hung in the air. Lady Elizabeth took another sip of tea. Hannah looked at her and sat quietly.

Caroline knew she had touched on something they did not wish to share. She glanced across the room and saw Joan and Sara talking with her mother.

“Excuse me, I have asked too many questions. I did not mean to be impolite.”

“No, my dear, certainly you were not. I…”

Caroline waved her hand. “Please excuse me. I see my mother across the room. I should join her.”

She stood, nodded at them, and walked away. She berated herself. Where had her manners gone? She had placed two ladies in an uncomfortable position because of her curiosity. Wanting to know more about Lord Royston was no excuse. And if they told Damon, as they called him, Caroline suspected he’d be angry. Why, oh why, did she have to attract his attention that day in town? Nothing had been the same since.