Undressed (Undone by Love) (15 page)

Jane nodded
. “Exactly. There, drape one wrist over the chair’s arm, as if you’re in a state of repose.” 

Brenna did as she’d requested, feeling quite foolish
.

“Perfect,” Jane said
.

The scented breeze stirred, fluttering the hem of Brenna’s gauzy gown
. Two birds chirruped gaily as they fluttered overhead, dipping and darting through the trees’ canopy. “Do ye really enjoy such an activity as this? On such a lovely afternoon?”

Jane dipped her brush into the paints she held on her palette, then tipped her head to one side to more carefully observe her subject
. “It isn’t something I’ve turned my hand at often, which is why I thought to practice. You have an interesting face; quite lovely, really. Can you tilt your chin down a bit? There.”  Jane tentatively made her first strokes on the canvas as Brenna considered far better occupations for such a fine day.

Of course, here in London her options were limited
. There were no fields to ride, no fences to check, no tenants to visit. The closest thing to a loch was the long water they called the Serpentine in Hyde Park. It paled in comparison.

On the other hand, Jane’s company was exceedingly pleasant
. Brenna had no close female friends her age near Glenbroch now that Elsbeth had married and gone off to Edinburgh. In fact, most of the women her age, save servants, had married and dispersed throughout the countryside. Many had families by now. ‘Twas not something she had particularly envied—till now.

Much as she hated to admit it, Colin had stirred something within her
. A longing of sorts, one she’d never before felt but now made sleep elusive. After Colin had left her there in the garden last night, she’d been restless, unable to finish charting the skies. Instead, she’d retired, long before her parents’ return from Lady Welbourne’s musicale. Yet she’d lain abed for several hours, staring at the moon and wishing she could feel Colin’s arms around her once more. She’d allowed herself to wonder what it might be like to share his life, his bed, what their children might look like. Scandalous thoughts, aye. He wasn’t even a Scot.

Besides, ‘twas irrelevant
. She would return to Glenbroch soon enough, and she had plenty to worry her as it was, what with Lord Danville’s insistence that she wed Sinclair.

“Don’t scowl,” Jane admonished from her seat before the easel
. “You’ve a dreadful furrow in your brow.”

“Oh?”  Brenna endeavored to force her features into a pleasant expression
. “I’m verra sorry. I was distracted by some disagreeable thoughts.”

“Oh?”  Jane laid down her brush
. “Nothing too terrible, I hope.”

“’Tis dreadful, really.”  She considered unburdening herself to Jane
. ‘Twas what a friend was for, after all, and perhaps Jane could offer some much-needed advice. She nodded, her mind made up, then took a deep breath before speaking. “My father has signed a betrothal agreement with Lord Thomas Sinclair.”

Jane sighed, her mouth curving into a frown
. “Oh, dear. I’d hoped the rumor was false.”

Brenna sat up sharply
. “Ye mean to say you’ve heard the news already?”

“I’m afraid so
. Mama had it from Lady Cowper this morning. I must say, we were all shocked. Colin took off in a huff of indignation and—” 

“Colin?”  Dear Lord, what must he think of her
? After last night? She should have told him, before he’d had the chance to hear it elsewhere. Only she hadn’t imagined that anyone would speak of it so soon.

“Yes, Colin seemed more than a trifle disturbed by the news
. I confess, I’m worried about him. He’s not been himself lately, and he’s become far more self-destructive than ever. He blames Lord Thomas for his fall from grace, and now this...”  Jane trailed off, shaking her head. “You see, I believe my brother to be fond of you.”

A flush heated Brenna’s cheeks.

“
Quite
fond,” Jane added. “It’s only natural that he would not wish to see you wed to his sworn enemy. Might I be so bold as to ask if you’ve formed an attachment to Lord Thomas?” 

“Quite the opposite
. ‘Tis fair to say I dislike him immensely. I’ve opposed the match, though my father makes it seem as if I have no say in the matter. He insists this is the way ‘tis done here in England. If that is so, ‘tis a barbaric practice, indeed.”

“You have my agreement on that count
. Did Lord Danville not consult you, ask your thoughts, before accepting Lord Thomas’s suit?”

Brenna shook her head
. “Nay. He simply sat me down and produced the contract that he’d already signed, waving it before me like a victory. Worse still, it seems that Lord Thomas claimed to have had my consent before going to my father.”

“No!”

“Aye. Dreadful, isn’t it? I’ve told Lord Danville I won’t honor a bargain made under such false assertions. Still, he insists I’ll marry him by Christmastime.”

“That’s outrageous
. I suppose it means Lord Thomas fancies himself in love with you.”

“Love
? Nay, Sinclair’s motivations are clear enough, and they’ve nothing to do with love. Judging by the sum named on the contract, Lord Danville has been extraordinarily generous with my dowry. Taken together with my holdings in Scotland, I suppose I’m worth a great deal to a rogue like Sinclair.”

“Oh, he’s worse than a rogue
. Much worse. What shall you do?”

“I suppose I could simply return to Glenbroch and pretend the contract does not exist
. I canna imagine that Sinclair would pursue me across the border and force me to wed him against my will. But I’d feel much better about it if I could see the contract broken before I left. I dinna want him to have any claim on me.”

“I agree.”

“Aye, but how?”

Jane nibbled on her lower lip, her brow furrowed in thought
. Brenna waited, holding her breath in expectation.

“Well,” Jane said at last, “there
is
one way, though it will surely cause a scandal.”

“Tell me,” Brenna entreated
. “Nothing ye suggest can possibly be worse than being forced to wed that despicable man.”

“If you were found in a”—Jane looked around furtively, then lowered her voice an octave—“a compromising position with another man, Sinclair’s pride would force him to withdraw his offer.”

Brenna leaned forward in her chair, her hands gripping the curved arm. “A compromising position? I dinna ken what ye mean.”

“If you allow a gentleman to...well, take liberties.”  Jane arched her brow
. “Make it seem as if your virtue is in question.”

Brenna recoiled at the words
. “But...but,” she sputtered, “what of the gentleman I allow such liberties? Won’t I simply be forced to wed him instead?”

“True,” Jane answered with a nod
. “I hadn’t thought of that. But, well...is there not a gentleman who you would consider wedding? If so, you would only be hastening it. It would not be the first time a girl used such means to hurry a reluctant groom to the altar.”

Colin’s face swam into focus in her mind’s eye, but Brenna forced away the thought
. Nay, she could never do such a thing. ‘Twas far too dishonest, too calculating. Brenna shook her head. “Nay, there is no one.”

Jane’s hopeful expression fled at once
. “No? You’re certain?”

“I’m certain
. And even if there were, I couldna do such a thing.”

“No, of course not.”

“Besides, when I do marry, I’ll marry a Scot. I dinna mean that as an insult, but—”

“No, it’s perfectly understandable
. But there are many Scottish gentlemen here in London, you know. I can make the proper introductions. There’s Angus MacDonnell, for one. A very fine man, if only a bit too old. And, let’s see.”  She pursed her lips. “Oh, Lord Ian MacTavish. Not so handsome, but young and quite rich, I’m told.” 

“I dinna ken ‘tis such a good idea,” Brenna answered truthfully
. “I’ll speak to Lord Danville once more about my objections, but perhaps I should just return to Glenbroch. ‘Tis best, I think.”

Jane hurried to Brenna’s side and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze
. “You must forgive me, Brenna. It’s my selfish nature that wishes you to remain here in London, when I know your heart remains in the Highlands.”

Brenna gripped Jane’s hand, returning the pressure
. “’Tis nothing to apologize for. Ye are a verra good friend, Jane. I’ve no idea how I would have survived thus far without ye.”

“I vow, together we shall find a way out of this engagement
. I will not see you treated so cruelly, so unfairly.”

“Thank ye
. Truly, I feel better just for having told ye. Now,” Brenna said, peering at the abandoned easel, “will ye finish this painting? Or shall we go inside and have some refreshments?”

Jane returned to her seat before the easel and picked up her palette and brush
. “Indeed I shall finish it, and it will be my finest work to date. Can you remember just how you were sitting?”

Brenna did her best to strike the same languid pose as before, tucking the fragrant bloom more securely behind her ear
. “Well?”

“Perfect,” Jane replied with a nod, then set to work with obvious enthusiasm.

Nay, there is no one I wish to marry
, Brenna repeated silently, over and over again. If only she could make herself believe it.

Chapter
13

Brenna stepped out of Hatchard’s, humming a tune as she clutched her parcel tightly against her bosom. Oh, what a lovely bookshop! She’d never before been inside such a marvelous place—row after row of books, all shapes and sizes and covering every subject imaginable. She’d browsed for more than an hour and could have stayed many more. Why had no one brought her there before now? She smiled gratefully at Jane, who clutched her own parcel as she stepped lightly up into the carriage.

Brenna followed suit, her fingers itching to tear the paper off her new treasure and leisurely flip through the pages, taking all the time in the world to examine each chart, each lovely illustration.

“Shall we head to Gunter’s for an ice?” Jane asked as they settled themselves against the leather squabs. “It’s quite warm today, isn’t it?” 

Brenna looked down at the still-wrapped book in her lap, then back up to Jane
. “Aye, ‘tis warm, indeed, but...would ye mind terribly if I went directly home instead? I confess, I’m so eager to read this I can barely contain myself.”

Jane laughed
. “Of course I would not mind. I’ve three new novels myself. We’ll take you home directly, but only if you promise to accompany me to Gunter’s tomorrow instead.”

“Verra well,” Brenna said with a grin
. “‘Tis agreed. I should love to.”

Jane spoke briefly to the driver, then returned to her seat opposite Brenna
. Seconds later, the carriage lurched forward, toward Danville House.

Still smiling to herself, Brenna ran a gloved fingertip along the edge of the coarse paper, enjoying the feel of the book’s weight in her lap
. It had been costly, aye, but worth every pence. All the latest astronomical findings in a single illustrated volume. She had nothing like this at home. Even her books at Glenbroch were horribly outdated, and none so fine as this.

Minutes later, she bid Jane farewell and climbed down to the walk
. Oddly enough, Alfred did not appear at the door, so she let herself in, still smiling happily and clutching the book to her bosom. The house was quiet; her father must be at his club and her mother out paying calls.
Thank goodness
. She could enjoy several hours of solitude, undisturbed in the sanctuary of her bedchamber.

That thought in mind, she tiptoed across the front hall, nearly holding her breath as she reached for the carved newel post at the base of the staircase
.

Male voices, coming from the direction of her father’s study, made her pause on the landing
. Blast it, it was Lord Thomas Sinclair. She recognized the sound of his laughter. “To marriage,” she heard him say.

“To marriage,” Hugh echoed
. Glassware clinked together, and the men’s voices grew muffled. Moving as quietly and stealthily as possible, Brenna hurried to the closed door, pressing her ear against it.

“Though I still believe I got the better end of the bargain,” Hugh said, his voice now clear and distinct even through the heavy door
. “Honoria is positively delectable. Perhaps I’ll have no need for a mistress once I have her in my bed. I think it might be time to send Josephine packing.”

“I wouldn’t act so rashly, Ballard
. Not till you’ve sampled Honoria’s wares. One can never tell, you know.”

“True, true
. Still, I’ve grown bored with Josephine, and she’s become far too costly to keep in the manner in which she aspires to, greedy fool. Anyway, how did Belinda take the news of your own upcoming nuptials? Have you any intact dinnerware left, or did she toss it all at your head?”

“Oh, every plate, bowl, and glass is smashed to bits
. She was in quite a pique this time. I’ve never heard a woman carry on like that, howling and weeping for hours on end. I finally placated her with promises of a cottage in the country for her and her brats. Another one on the way, if you can believe it. And she wonders why my interest fades.”

“Not for too long, I’d say, judging by the number of bastards you’ve managed to sire.”

Brenna’s blood ran cold. More than anything, she wanted to flee. She didn’t want to hear any more. Yet she forced herself to remain, listening to such coarse, vulgar talk. Perhaps she would learn something of value to Colin.

“What am I to do?” Lord Thomas asked, his tone light
. “The slut has the most marvelous tits I’ve ever seen, and she can perform miracles with her mouth. Ah, well. I’ll keep her around a bit longer. She’s not quite used up yet.”

Hugh had the audacity to laugh—actually laugh—at such a vile statement
. Brenna’s stomach pitched uncomfortably, and for a moment she feared she might begin to retch. Clamping one hand over her mouth, she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat.

“Anyway, where is that sister of yours?” Lord Thomas continued, his voice now sounding bored
. “I’ve a few things to discuss with her regarding our betrothal.”

“She’s not likely to return for several hours
. She’s gone out with Jane Rosemoor of all people, her constant companion these days. They’ve become near inseparable. I’ve no idea why my mother has allowed it.”

“I’ll have a word or two with my bride-to-be about the company she keeps
. I won’t stand for having my name tarnished by association with that family.”

Hugh grunted his agreement.

“Besides, I never liked Jane Rosemoor. She’s nothing but an uppity little cocktease. I think it’s high time she earned her comeuppance.”

“Well, why not ruin her while we’re at it?” Hugh asked with a chuckle
. “All in the family, I say. Cocktease or not, she
is
an exquisite little minx. Ruining her might prove enjoyable.”

Rage surged through Brenna’s veins, heating her skin and making her pulse leap
.
The bastard
.

“Perhaps I’ll let you have the pleasure, but first things first
. I’m not yet entirely satisfied with our current bargain.”

“And why not
? I’ve done my part. My father signed the agreement several days ago; soon everything she has will be yours. From what I hear, her estate in Scotland will fetch an enormous sum, especially if you first clear the land. Together with her inheritance and her sizable dowry, you’ll be a very rich man.”

“Ah, but you’ve left out the best part, the icing on the proverbial cake
. I had no idea I’d get a comely little tigress in my bed as part of the bargain. What fun I shall have brining her to heel.”

“You’ll have a time of it, that’s for certain.”

“Perhaps, though it’s not necessary that she come willingly to my bed.”

“No?”

“No, it’ll be good sport to drag her there by her hair, kicking and screaming all the while. Nonetheless, she must come willingly to the altar, and that’s where you’ve failed. I can’t very well hold her before the vicar in chains. Betrothal contract or not, she must consent to the nuptials. She needn’t be pleased about it.”

“What would you have me do
? Short of drugging her, I’ve done all that I can on your behalf. Perhaps you should have done a better job seducing her. I must say, I’m disappointed in you. That she would allow Colin Rosemoor to sniff about her skirts but not you—”

“I did what you asked me to do, Ballard,” Lord Thomas spat out
. “The card was planted in Rosemoor’s pocket, wasn’t it? It was no simple task, finding someone at White’s to accomplish it, yet it was done with aplomb. Rosemoor was tossed from White’s, cast from polite society, and now you’ve won the hand of the pretty little Honoria. Everything you desired has come to pass, exactly as planned. Now I expect you to make good on your part. Just as you promised, your sister’s hand is worth far more than our original bargain, and I will accept nothing less than her full compliance as payment. Do whatever is necessary to get her to agree. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly,” Hugh answered
. “Have no doubt, she
will
acquiesce.”

The devil she would
! Brenna had heard enough. Slowly edging away from the door, she made her way back toward the staircase. She removed her slippers and carried them along with her wrapped parcel up the stairs. Holding her breath, she made her way down the corridor and into her bedchamber. Only when the door was closed and latched behind her did she exhale, her cheeks aflame as she leaned against the door, her shoulders heaving with rage.

It was true; Colin had been right all along
. How dare Hugh do something so despicable? How dare either of them—vile bastards, the pair. Yet her brother’s betrayal pained her most of all. His crime went far beyond plotting to ruin an innocent man. As if that alone weren’t bad enough, he’d then bartered off his sister to a cruel, deceitful, and monstrous man in payment. Was this Honoria worth so much to him? More so than family, a sister?

She bit her bottom lip so savagely that she tasted blood
. Now what was she to do? Confront him? Confess that she’d overheard their wretched conversation? Tell Lord and Lady Danville? Would they even believe her, or would they take the word of their son, the child they’d always known, over hers? She was naught but a stranger to them, after all.

She wanted to scream, to keen with rage
. Instead, she stormed over to the bed, peeling off her gloves as she did so. She deposited them, along with her slippers and the package, there on the coverlet, then viciously punched a pillow, wishing it were Hugh’s head instead. The pillow tumbled to the floor, and she kicked it with her stocking feet, ruthlessly, repeatedly, until feathers flew in the air.

Hera came screeching out from under the bed, leaping into the air and swatting at the feathers as they floated back down to the floorboards
.

She had to tell Colin straightaway
. But how? She hadn’t any idea where he lodged, and even if she did, she knew enough of the
ton
’s ways to know she could not go there herself, unchaperoned.

“Stop it, Hera,” she whispered, watching as the cat began to chew on a feather
. “’Tis not a bird, just a pillow.”  She scooped up the cat and held her in her arms like a babe, tossing the half-chewed bit of feather to the ground. Hera regarded her with a steady, green gaze, her nose twitching in the air. If only Hera could offer advice. How sad that there was not a single other soul in the house she could trust. Only a cat.

She set Hera on the bed while she attempted to collect the feathers from the floor
. Hearing the familiar purr, she looked up, arms full, and watched as the cat rubbed the side of her face against the corner of the still-wrapped parcel. She’d all but forgotten about the new book, about her morning spent perusing the shelves at Hatchard’s with Jane.  

Jane
. Of course. She’d have to enlist Jane’s help. ‘Twas no other way to get word to Colin, really.

If she snuck out now, no one would even know she had been home
. Quickly, she retrieved her gloves and slippers, casting one last glance at Hera before reaching for the door’s latch.

“Just don’t eat them all,” she whispered
. “’Twill make you sick, no doubt.” 

***

“I thought you were coming by Rosemoor House days ago,” Jane scolded as she untied her bonnet and tossed it to the credenza
. The twin green silk ribbons resembled serpents, lying there on the polished wood, regarding him. His vision slightly blurred with sleep, Colin squinted, examining them more closely. Ah, just harmless ribbons, after all.   

At last he turned his gaze to his sister with a scowl, simultaneously glad to see her and wishing she hadn’t come
. What was this, some dashed sort of female conspiracy? He’d just sent Lucy on her way, and now he had Jane to contend with. Devil take it, but his head throbbed.

“Don’t tell me you’ve only now just arisen
? Have you any idea how late the hour is?”  Her voice was unusually shrill to his ears.

He groaned, one hand reaching up to his temple
. “Must you come barging in here, scolding me like a fishwife? Have a care for my head, will you?”

“Too much to drink last night, I suppose.”

“A likely assumption, indeed. Yet wholly incorrect. This time, at least.”  God, if only he were suffering the ill effects of over-imbibing. He’d give his eyeteeth for a bottle of brandy right now. He’d had no spirits whatsoever for a full three days now, and it was near enough killing him. He was a damnable bloody mess.

Jane eyed him critically, her sapphire gaze sweeping from his mussed head to his bare feet
. “Whatever happened to you, then? You look dreadful.”

“And you look beautiful as always.”  Besides Lucy’s brief visit just moments before, he hadn’t laid eyes on a single soul save his valet and butler since his self-imposed exile several days ago, and he had to admit his sister was a sight for sore eyes
.   

“Don’t change the subject,” she said crisply
. “Shall I summon the physician?”

“No, you most definitely shall not,” he grumbled, feeling peevish
. “You just missed Lucy, by the way. In fact, she left her reticule here.”  He pointed to the pale blue silk pouch that lay on the marble table beside the door. “So I assume she’ll soon return. Anyway, I’ll tell you just what I told her. I am perfectly well and in no need of a physician. Just tell me why you’re here, and then go on about your merry way, spreading cheer throughout Mayfair.”