What a Wicked Earl Wants (4 page)

She would do anything—anything—to keep Montclief from taking Justin away. But what could she do to convince her brother-in-law? Oh, God, she must think of some way to change his mind. Laura thought back over the entire conversation, and one thing he’d said stood out.
My nephew needs more than passing male influence
.

The answer popped into her head. She met Bellingham’s gaze again and prayed he would go along with her scheme. At this point, she had nothing to lose—except her son. And she refused to give him up without a fight.

God forgive me, but I cannot live without my son
.

She drew closer to Bellingham and forced herself to smile. “I suppose we should tell Montclief our happy news.”

Suspicion flickered in his blue eyes. “I’ll allow you to reveal the particulars.”

She clasped his arm and faced Montclief. “You mustn’t worry about Justin needing a man to guide him.” She took a deep breath and said, “I have this day accepted Lord Bellingham’s proposal of marriage.”

The woman was mad.

Bell had sensed her desperation climbing as she’d tried to persuade Montclief to let her keep the boy, but he’d never guessed she would resort to this witless fabrication.

Montclief folded his arms over his chest. “You have been in London for a very short time, Laura. This engagement is sudden, too sudden.”

“Montclief, I said nothing before because I did not know our relationship would take such a romantic turn,” Laura said. “Lord Bellingham and I met last fall in Hampshire.”

Bell suspected the wayward Justin had learned to lie from his inventive mother.

She regarded Bell with a dazzling smile. “I met him by pure coincidence while visiting one of the shops in the village. Isn’t that right, my dear?”

He nodded, hoping she wouldn’t get too carried away. The less she said the better.

“It was raining,” she said, “and we were stuck in the shop. Having nothing better to do, we struck up a conversation. When the rain stopped, we walked outside and he laid his coat over a puddle for me.” She batted her eyes at him. “That was the moment I fell for my Bellingham.”

She was the worst liar in the kingdom.

“Laura, this engagement is suspect,” Montclief said.

Bellingham agreed, but he didn’t like Montclief. From the bits she’d revealed, he gathered Montclief had taken no interest in his nephew until now. Most likely, the only reason he’d intervened was because he’d gotten embarrassed when his friend in London had sent him the letter about his nephew.

Laura looked quite determined as she gazed into Bell’s eyes. “I would do anything for my Bellingham. Anything,” she added with emphasis.

He most certainly would hold her to that promise.

Montclief addressed him. “Is this true, Bellingham? You have proposed to Laura?”

He almost exposed her as a liar, but he’d seen her hands shake when Montclief had declared he would take her son away. Bell figured the boy’s rebellion would grow far worse under Montclief’s thumb. On the other hand, Bell didn’t want to find himself trapped in a marriage, either. “We are keeping the engagement a secret for the time being.” Why not add one more lie to the growing pile?

Laura exhaled in obvious relief. “Yes, we are concealing our engagement in order to give Justin time to get to know Bellingham. We wish Justin to feel at ease with him before we exchange vows. Of course, we shall rely on your discretion, Montclief.”

Montclief narrowed his eyes. “Laura, this engagement rings false.” He turned his attention to Bellingham. “What I cannot understand is why Bellingham would act as your accomplice?”

Because I despise you for bullying her
. Aloud, he said, “Are you implying that our engagement is a criminal act?”

“You know very well what I meant,” Montclief said.

Bell had tolerated Montclief long enough. He strode over to the much shorter man and loomed over him. “You dare to question my word?” he said in a low, warning tone.

Montclief lifted his chin and his nostrils flared. “It is my responsibility to see that my nephew is well cared for and made to behave. I am the best person to see it done.”

“Really? If your nephew walked in the door, would you recognize him?” Bell asked.

Montclief’s face flushed. “You have no say in this, Bellingham. You are no relation to the boy.”

“But when we marry, Bellingham will be Justin’s stepfather,” Laura said. “He will oversee Justin’s activities. Montclief, you need not trouble yourself again.”

In one fell swoop, Bell had acquired a faux fiancée and a rebellious adolescent. He was beginning to feel as if he’d stepped onstage in one of Shakespeare’s comedies.

“Wait,” Montclief said. “I did not agree to this plan.”

“But you said that Justin needed daily male guidance,” Laura said. “With five other boys, your hands are full. You will not be able to give Justin nearly as much attention as Bellingham can. Why, I’m sure he will take the boy under his wing almost immediately,” she said.

Wonderful. Now she’d volunteered him to play nursemaid to a seventeen-year-old.

Montclief regarded them both with a scowl. “Fair warning. I will come to London periodically to see how matters are progressing. If I hear that my nephew is running wild again, I will remove him immediately.”

The man strutted to the door and set his hand on the knob.

Bell couldn’t wait to be rid of him so that he could collect on Laura’s promise.

Montclief paused, and then he looked over his shoulder. “One more thing. I expect there will be no illicit liaisons while my nephew is residing under this roof.”

“How dare you make such an accusation?” Laura said in shocked tones. “I would never engage in immoral conduct.”

She’d conveniently forgotten her promise to him, but he wasn’t about to let her off the hook after she’d involved him in this farce.

“See that you remember it, Laura,” Montclief said. “I trust I need not repeat the consequences.”

When the door shut behind Montclief, Bellingham muttered, “That man is an ass.”

She covered her mouth and collapsed on the red striped sofa. When fat tears welled in her green eyes, Bell whipped out his handkerchief. “It’s all over.”

Her bottom lip quivered as she took the handkerchief, and then she hastily dabbed it at her eyes. “Thank you,” she said.

Bell squatted beside her. “The only reason he came here is because his pride took a hit when his friend sent him the letter. His abusive language to you was out of bounds.”

She folded the handkerchief in a little square. When she tried to hand it back to him, he waved it off.

“He would have t-taken Justin if you had not been here,” she stammered.

If Montclief had insisted, there wouldn’t have been a damned thing Bell could have done. She obviously loved the boy, but unless she got her son under control, his guardian would likely remove him.

She inhaled and released a shaky breath. “Thank you. How much do you want?”

He frowned. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m prepared to pay you. My son means everything to me. Name the price,” she said.

“I do not need money,” he said.

“I must say your idea to keep the engagement a secret was quite brilliant,” she said.

“Frankly, I did it for my own protection. I’ve no wish to find myself caught in the parson’s mousetrap.”

She patted his arm. “You need not worry. I do not wish to marry again.”

He rose and helped her to stand.

“Are you certain you do not want some form of compensation?” she asked. “Would fifty pounds suffice?”

A slow grin tugged at his mouth. “My fortune is such that I will be unlikely to spend it all in my lifetime.”

“You’re a lucky man,” she said, eyeing the door as if she were contemplating escape.

He stepped right in front of her. “I had something else in mind.”

“Oh?” she said.

He gazed at her lush mouth. “Something more pleasurable.”

“Brandy?” she said, her voice a bit squeaky.

“Guess again.”

“Port?”

He caught her hand. “You.”

She gasped and stepped back. “My lord, I am a respectable widow.”

“You promised to do anything I asked.”

“I was desperate.”

Bell noticed her clenching and unclenching her skirts and sighed. He’d never coerced a woman before, and he wasn’t about to start now. He drew in breath to tell her that he’d only been teasing, but she spoke beforehand.

“I suppose I ought to honor my promise,” she said. “What do you want, my lord?”

He blinked. “What are you willing to give?”

She smoothed her skirts. “Since we are affianced, at least temporarily, and you’ve no need for money, I suppose I could grant you a…a kiss.”

He struggled to keep his amusement from showing. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

She wrinkled her little nose. “I am the one who took advantage, my lord. You were kind enough not to expose me, but if you do not wish to kiss me, I will understand.”

“Did you have something else in mind?” He could provide ample suggestions, none of which any respectable lady would agree to do.

Her face flushed. “Oh, no. A kiss would do, if that is acceptable to you.”

“Hmmm. A faux engagement is no small thing, but if it’s a special kiss, I suppose that would even the score between us.” Surely she knew he was jesting.

She lifted her chin. “You may kiss me,” she said.

He wasn’t about to make it that easy for her. “I thought
you
meant to kiss
me
.”

“Oh.” She smoothed her skirts. “Well, I suppose that’s only fair since I took advantage of you.”

Her full lower lip fascinated him. He almost said she could take advantage of him anytime, but he kept that between his teeth.

She set her small hands on his shoulders, lifted on her tiptoes, and quickly kissed him on the lips. Then she smiled as she stepped back. “There now, that wasn’t bad.”

“I disagree,” he said. “It was terrible.”

“What?” she said, her voice outraged. “You— How dare you insult me?”

“You would prefer I lie?”

“No doubt you had something lascivious in mind.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “I expected a real kiss, but if you’re afraid, I’ll understand.”

Her green eyes flashed. She closed the distance between them, stood on her tiptoes, and looped her hands around his neck. When he wrapped her in his arms, all of her soft, delectable curves pressed against him. His heart ricocheted in his chest.

She leaned in closer. The faint scent of roses bewitched him. Heat flooded his veins. She was soft and luscious, and he could no longer hold back. “Forgive me in advance,” he said, aware that his voice was low and rough.

“For what?” she said.

“This.” Then he claimed her sweet lips.

L
aura’s head was spinning as Lord Bellingham cupped the back of her head and devoured her lips. She clutched his shoulders, needing an anchor.

She shouldn’t compare his kiss to her late, elderly husband’s gentle, fleeting ones. But how could she not? Bellingham had taken full possession and left no doubt of his mastery.

This was a rake’s kiss—confident, provocative, and oh so bone melting.

She must stop him…soon.

She would. She must. She couldn’t—not when the faint trace of sandalwood and something else, something elemental, enveloped her senses. With every breath she took, his masculine scent curled inside her like a sinful potion. Her skin heated, making her keenly aware of the fullness of her breasts and of the virile man who so easily led her astray. She wanted his kiss and so much more.

The heat of his body and the strength of his arms proved as impossible to resist as his kiss. Propriety demanded she stop him. He was not her husband, and a faux fiancé did not count. She knew almost nothing about him—other than he kissed very well. But, of course, she must not let pleasure overrule her morals.

Just a moment longer
, she silently promised.

The room had grown dimmer even though it was only early afternoon. Rain pattered the window as he slid one big hand down the curve of her spine just above her hips. Then he pulled her tighter against him. Her breasts and belly were pressed all along the rock-hard contours of his body. The carnal embrace felt all too good as she threaded her fingers through the crisp strands of hair at his nape.

His mouth curved in a lopsided smile. “Oh, yes,” he murmured, wrapping his long fingers around the back of her neck. Then he captured her lips again, commanding her to surrender to him once more.

He angled his head, and this time, he touched his tongue to her mouth. Stunned, she parted her lips involuntarily. He made a low sound in his throat, and then his tongue was inside her mouth. Shock held her immobile for a moment, but he angled his head in the other direction and deepened the kiss. Then he plucked at her lips twice and held still as if waiting for her to reciprocate.

If she was going to feel guilty later, she might as well enjoy sinning now. Tentatively, she touched her tongue to his. He made that rumbling sound once more and took the lead. In her dazed state, she slowly became aware that his wicked kisses were an imitation of a far more intimate act. He cupped her bottom and pressed his hips against her. Then she felt the unmistakable hardening of his sex. The thin layers of muslin and petticoat provided no defense at all. She ought to express horror and push away from him, but long-denied need rose up.

“I want you,” he said near her ear.

She gasped. There was no doubt what he asked of her. His vivid blue eyes grew darker, and she could swear he was drawing her in with them. In a distant part of her mind, she knew she ought to look away, but her befuddled brain froze.

Someone tapped on the drawing room doors. Bellingham released her and walked toward the window.

Laura shook her skirts with trembling hands and hurried to the door. Reed held out a small silver tray with a note. “This just arrived for you, my lady.”

She took the missive and dismissed Reed. Then she broke the seal.

Bellingham’s footsteps thudded as he crossed the room. “Is it bad news?”

“No, it is only a note from Lady Atherton canceling our drive today because of the weather.”

She started to step aside, but he caught her arm. “I dislodged one of your curls,” he said.

When she reached to find the errant curl, he batted her hand away. “Allow me.”

“Are you training to be a lady’s maid?” she said, resorting to sarcasm as a defense.

“No, I’ve plenty of experience,” he said.

“I’m not the least bit surprised.” She hoped the butler had not seen her disheveled hair. Now that Montclief had threatened to take Justin, she could ill afford gossip below-stairs.

“Chin down,” Bellingham said. As he lifted the errant lock, her scalp tingled. “So soft,” he said in an undertone. His breath sighed over her neck, a shivery sensation.

The masculine rumble of his voice called to the forbidden impulses inside her. He knew exactly how to cut through a lady’s defenses. Obviously he’d honed his seduction skills in order to get exactly what he wanted. Even though she’d known this, she’d still succumbed to his wicked kisses. All the years of adhering to her father’s strict moral teachings had scattered like torn bits of paper in the wind.

Bellingham pushed the pin in. “There now. You’re tidied up,” he said.

In any other situation, his words might have elicited a laugh from her, but there was nothing funny about the way she’d abandoned herself to him earlier. No doubt he hoped she would allow him additional liberties in the future. If so, she would disabuse him of that notion.

Anxious for him to leave, she cleared her throat. “I appreciate all you’ve done today, my lord.”

His eyes glinted with a wicked expression. “I believe you found it as rewarding as I did.”

Her face flushed. Oh, dear God, her morals had gone on holiday.

He took her hand and bowed over it. “I am at your service anytime, Laura.”

She snatched her hand back. How dare he use her Christian name? Then again, she’d certainly encouraged the rake to treat her like a trollop. At the moment, however, she didn’t have time to dwell on him or his “services.”

“Well, I’m sure you’re a busy man. I shan’t keep you from your important duties.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?”

His grin made him look rather boyish, but she must not allow his striking looks to distract her. She lifted her chin and said, “Let me be clear. What occurred this afternoon was a mistake on both our parts.”

“There was no mistake,” he said. “You freely gave me a kiss because I kept silent about our supposed engagement.”

“Well, you could have been more gentlemanly about it,” she said with a sniff.

“If I’d been gentlemanly, you wouldn’t have enjoyed it half as much.”

“Hush,” she said. “This cannot happen again.”

“I agree. Your brother-in-law suspects us of an indiscretion. The last thing you need is to give him ammunition.”

Knowing that he was a rake, she’d half expected him to attempt to seduce her, but that was ridiculous. This was not one of those horrid novels with a villain snatching a damsel in distress. “I’m sorry for involving you in my troubles,” she said. “I couldn’t think of another way to stop Montclief.”

“He didn’t believe we’re engaged. If he inquires, you will blame me for abandoning you.”

She shook her head. “I cannot allow you to do that. Your reputation—”

“Would not suffer in the least if it came out,” he said. “It is unlikely our names will ever be linked after today, but if necessary, you will say you discovered I’m a scoundrel. No one will blame you.”

She suspected neither of them would get off so easily, but there was no point in borrowing trouble. “That is very, er, gallant of you, my lord,” she said, “but I couldn’t allow it.”

“Yes, you can, and you will if word of the engagement ever leaks. If you don’t do it, then honor will force us to wed. Since we’re both reluctant to marry, I think you’ll agree.”

“I agree that would be…unfortunate.” It would be disastrous. She couldn’t even imagine her family’s reaction.

“Good luck with your son,” he said.

She would need more than luck to bring Justin to heel. “I should take him home to Hampshire where there are no temptations to lure him.”

“There are temptations everywhere,” he said. “There is just more opportunity in London.” He bowed. “Good day, Lady Chesfield.”

After he quit the drawing room, Laura sank onto the sofa. She was more than a little unnerved by the events. One thing was certain. If not for Bellingham’s presence, matters with Montclief would have gone far worse for her and Justin.

Oddly, she felt a bit bereft after his departure, which was absurd. Their association had begun and ended today. She thought of his words.
There are temptations everywhere.

She wondered if he’d meant her.

“Mr. Montclief inquires if you are at home.”

Virginia Holt, known as Lady Atherton to the ton, regarded her butler without a trace of guile, but inside something sparked to life. The dreary, rainy afternoon had suddenly become interesting. “Let Montclief cool his heels for twenty minutes and then show him up,” she said.

“Yes, my lady,” the butler said.

After the butler left, she walked over to the window and stood slightly behind the green and gold draperies. Montclief had arrived in a hired hack. He was a second son with no hope of inheriting. While his brother, the late Viscount Chesfield, had left his brother property and a substantial fortune, Virginia suspected Montclief had run through it and was now in debt.

She’d met him years ago at a ball and had disliked him upon first acquaintance. Montclief was the essence of a hypocrite, always toadying up to others and pretending to be sympathetic.

His brother had been a good friend to Virginia and her late husband, Alfred, for many years. They had always met during the London seasons, until Chesfield’s health took a downward turn shortly after his marriage to Laura. Thereafter, Alfred had kept up a correspondence with Chesfield, and it had become clear that his young wife was devoted to caring for him. Montclief had pretended concern for his brother’s health and used his growing family as an excuse for his absence. Phillip, bless him, had wanted to believe the best of his brother, and of course Virginia and Alfred had said nothing of their true feelings for Montclief.

Her poor opinion of Montclief had not altered since those days. If anything, her perception of him had taken a decided turn downward upon discovering he’d ignored his responsibilities to his ward.

But why had Montclief called upon her? Obviously he wanted something. Long ago, she’d discovered that men always had an objective. The subtleties that defined women’s conversation escaped all but the cleverest of them.

Montclief was neither subtle nor clever. Unlike his late brother, Montclief possessed only a mean understanding of the world around him. This was an important distinction to Virginia, as it meant that he was malleable and easily persuaded. He was also a damned fool for waiting in the antechamber for twenty minutes. A strong, confident man would never tolerate the delay.

Virginia treaded across the turkey carpet and poured herself a small sherry. When she was younger and foolish, she never would have indulged in spirits in the middle of the afternoon. She ought to have done that and far more when she’d been younger and still attractive, but society looked harshly upon younger women who did not observe the proprieties to the letter. Now that her sixty-fifth birthday had passed, Virginia reckoned that she’d earned the right to do as she pleased.

She glanced at the clock, finished her sherry, and returned to the settee. Moments later, her butler announced Montclief. Virginia rose and smiled serenely, but inwardly she was appalled at his appearance. He’d grown a potbelly and lost much of his hair. When he drew out a handkerchief and patted perspiration from his forehead, she hid her distaste.

“Montclief, this is a surprise. I’ve not seen you since Phillip’s funeral.” She’d written to him expressing her sympathies over his brother’s death, but he’d never replied.

“Grave matters have led me to London,” he said. “We’d best get to the point.”

His blunt manners hadn’t improved over the course of four years. She perched upon the sofa and indicated a chair with her beringed hand. When he sat, she noted his tight waistcoat gapped and she half expected a button to pop off from the strain. “Is all well with your family?”

“My own family is well, but there is trouble with my nephew.”

“Oh?” Virginia recollected Laura saying her son was at a trying age. Her boys were grown now, but they had been rowdy when they were young men.

“Imagine how I felt when friends wrote to inform me that Justin was running wild in London,” Montclief continued. “My sister-in-law Laura sent me a letter, rather belatedly I must confess, saying she was bringing him here. I am shocked and wounded that she did not consult me first.”

She doubted his sincerity. “Perhaps she did not realize that you expected it of her,” Virginia said. She knew Laura wouldn’t have thought to inform him, because Montclief had taken no responsibility for his ward.

He tugged on his tight waistcoat to no avail. “I’m the boy’s guardian, and she ought not to be making decisions without consulting me. I fear Justin is too difficult for her to manage.”

“I have only recently become acquainted in person with Lady Chesfield, though we have corresponded for some time. She appears to be practical and amiable. Did you discuss the situation with her?”

Montclief sighed. “I have something to tell you that will shock you. I never thought Laura capable of such deceit.”

“I beg your pardon?”

He pressed his lips together and drew in a breath. “Laura is involved in a liaison.”

Virginia’s lips parted. Last night, her protégé had claimed to have no interest in courtship. “Are you certain?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. “I found her alone with that notorious rake Bellingham.”

Last night at Virginia’s ball, Bellingham had demanded that she give him Laura’s address so that he could return a flask that belonged to Justin. Virginia had suspected Bellingham hoped to make a conquest of Laura, but since he’d just seen her last night for the first time, she found the idea of a liaison improbable. “Perhaps you misinterpreted his reason for calling on her,” she said.

“I assure you I did not,” Montclief said. “Laura claimed that Bellingham was her fiancé, and he corroborated her convoluted story.”

Virginia had to restrain herself from gaping. The earl had made it clear as water that he had no intention of ever marrying, even though all of his property would default to the Crown. All the beau monde knew his intention to remain a bachelor, but that had not stopped ambitious mamas from trying to lure him. “This engagement is certainly sudden,” Virginia said.