A Scandalous Proposition Read online

  “My dance, I believe, Mrs. Grantley.”

  She looked surprised but gratifyingly relieved and offered him a sparkling smile. “I believe it is, Lord Fitzroy.”

  Her admirers mumbled their objections, stepping aside grudgingly. Florentina moved into the circle of his arms just moments before Philippa reached their position.

  “I don’t recall your previously engaging me for this dance,” she said.

  “You appeared to require rescuing.”

  “You were watching me?”

  “I told you earlier that I wouldn’t allow any harm to come to you.”

  “How could I be harmed by dancing with one of the duchess’s guests?”

  “Well, that would rather depend upon which guest you selected as your partner.”

  She arched a brow. “You think I’m incapable of taking care of myself?”

  “I think you underestimate some of these gentlemen’s intentions.”

  “But I’m a courtesan. I know what they intend.”

  He smiled into her upturned eyes. “You’re no courtesan.”

  “No,” she said after a prolonged silence he had no intention of breaking, “I’m not.”

  “And yet you offered yourself to me without any apparent qualms. How could I be sure you wouldn’t do the same thing with one of those bucks?”

  She stiffened in his arms. “Apparently you have a very poor opinion of my moral character.”

  Adam cursed beneath his breath. He was handling this all wrong and had made matters worse by insulting her. “It’s not your morals I question, Florentina. It’s merely that some of the gentlemen here tonight…well, let’s just say that there’s not much they wouldn’t do to compromise you into accommodating them.”

  “How do you know they weren’t merely being gallant?”

  Adam snorted. “Trust me, I know precisely what they were thinking.” Because he was thinking it too.

  “The duchess is glaring in our direction.”

  He sighed. “Come on.” He took her hand and led her out onto the terrace. “It’s too hot in there and I hold you entirely responsible for my discomfort.”

  “And why should I take the blame for that?”

  He placed her hand on his sleeve and they promenaded. They had the terrace completely to themselves. “Because you asked me to wear this blasted uniform and it’s insufferably hot in here.” He ran his finger ’round the high collar and sighed loudly enough to make her giggle.

  “I should have thought that all the admiring glances you’ve collected this evening more than compensate for a little discomfort.”

  “Not unless you admire me too.”

  She shook her head, her eyes sparkling with provocative laughter. “That’s asking too much, my lord.”

  “Last night you were inclined to call me Adam.”

  “Last night you thought I was someone I’m not.”

  “Did I?”

  “You knew all the time?” She stopped walking, pulled her hand from his sleeve and glared accusingly up at him.

  “I merely suspected at first. But hoped I was right.”

  “Well, you were.”

  “Yes, I discovered that the moment I held you in my arms.”

  Florentina sighed. “And enjoyed a good laugh at my expense.”

  “Believe me, my dear, I wasn’t laughing at you.”

  “Yes, so you say. Anyway, I expect you wonder why I behaved as I did. And I suppose I do owe you an explanation.”

  “You owe me nothing.” He reached out to gently stroke the curve of her lovely face. “But if you feel the need to explain, I shall be glad to listen.”

  She looked at him as his fingers continued to stroke her cheek, eyes aglow, lips moist and ripe and simply begging to be kissed. He transferred his thoughts to the horrors he’d witnessed on the battlefield, hoping such images would quell his passion. They singularly failed to do so.

  “I knew Christine when I first came to England.” Her soft voice recalled his attention to the explanation she appeared determined to offer. “She helped me and we have been friends ever since. That’s all. There’s nothing sinister about our friendship.”

  “Why should there be? Abbesses are permitted to have friends unconnected with their business, just like anyone else.”

  “Quite, and that’s all we are. Friends. Anyway, when we arrived back so late from the Feathers, I thought to seek a bed at Chamberleigh rather than disturb the dowager. When you saw me there you jumped to the wrong conclusion and I didn’t see what I could do about it.”

  “And the man pursuing you at that inn?” Adam only asked to see what other tale she would concoct to keep the truth from him.

  “Oh, him.” Her eyes darted around as though seeking inspiration. “Well, he saw me travelling alone, drew the wrong conclusion and made inappropriate advances.”

  She stood there, her defiant glare daring him to take issue with her explanation. To Adam she’d never looked lovelier and he lost the battle to remain in control. With a strangled oath he snaked out an arm and pulled her against him. Their bodies collided. Hard. She was breathing rapidly and he could feel her heart pounding at an irregular rate. He was encouraged when she didn’t attempt to evade his embrace.

  “Now then, Mrs. Smith.” He smiled into her eyes. “If you truly harbour the desire to become a courtesan, you ought not to pass up opportunities to gain experience.”

  “But you just said—”

  “With me, you widgeon.”

  Without giving her the opportunity to demur, he lowered his head and covered her lips with his own. Gently but firmly. A soft sigh escaped her at the last second, and he was gratified when her arms slipped ’round his neck, even though her own lips remained passive beneath his. He could sense the panic building inside her. Determined to elicit a response, he deepened the kiss, gently invading her mouth with his tongue. Slowly her lips firmed and parted as she responded with a sweet, instinctive innocence that made him feel ridiculously triumphant.

  Like all good soldiers he didn’t scruple to take advantage of his position and commenced a slow exploration of the contours of her mouth. When her tongue swirled and tangled with his, Adam thought he must be losing his mind. Passion reverberated like thunder throughout his entire body, his erection throbbed and he was as close as he could ever remember being to losing control.

  Regardless, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. His hands roamed across her back and, still kissing her deeply, he moved in time with the melodic waltz music drifting through the open doors. Her feet followed his and she made no attempt to break from the kiss. Only when he felt himself on the point of no return did he reluctantly do so himself. He was gratified when a stifled protest slipped from her mouth.

  “You’re a very attentive pupil, Florentina.” His voice was husky with passion.

  “We shouldn’t have done that.” She spoke primly and attempted to pull away. But Adam wasn’t ready to let her go.

  “I disagree.”

  “You’re very sure of yourself, my lord.”

  Adam chuckled. “No, I just know that you’re as incapable of denying such carnal desire as I am. Listen to your heart, sweetheart, not your head.”

  She dropped her eyes from his face and focused them on the flagstones beneath her feet. “You’d know more about that sort of thing than me.”

  “But you were married?”

  Adam regretted the question when her features clouded with pain. “Yes, I was married.”

  “Adam!”

  The sound of Philippa’s imperious tones caused them to spring apart. They were promenading, with a respectable distance separating their bodies, when his sister-in-law rounded the corner of the terrace.

  “There you are. Come at once, if you please, Mrs. Grantley. The dowager duchess is asking for you. You ought not to have neglected her for so long.”

  Florentina curtsied to Adam and disappeared through the doors to the drawing room. Adam watched her go as Philippa took her plac
e at his side.

  “I thought we’d agreed that woman was not quite the thing,” she said.

  “No, Philippa, you suggested she wasn’t what she appears to be but my mother holds her in high regard, which counts for a lot. And I can see no harm in her.”

  “Huh, that’s because you’re a man and she’s captivated you, just like she has all the others. But I know things about her that would make her persona non grata if I chose to reveal them.”

  “You’d overset my mother because you don’t like Mrs. Grantley?” He stopped walking and regarded her with scepticism. “Why ever would you do that?”

  “I didn’t actually say that I would,” she countered evasively. “Of course your mother’s peace of mind is important to me.”

  “But you’d use threats and innuendos because you don’t like her, not caring whose feelings you trample on in the process.” He examined the determined set of her features with disdain. “What’s happened to you, Philippa? You didn’t use to have such a vindictive nature.”

  “I married your brother in order to protect your family’s good name and yet I feel as though I’m being vilified for the sacrifices I’ve made.” She broke off abruptly and smiled winsomely instead. “But we won’t talk of such matters now. I’m sure I must have been mistaken when I thought I saw Mrs. Grantley leaving that dreadful establishment on the edge of town, and I shan’t mention it to anyone else.” She paused and met his eye without flinching. “For now, at any rate.”

  “It’s never wise to start rumours one cannot substantiate.”

  “Come, Adam, I believe they’re about to play another waltz. I can’t manage the more energetic dances in my condition, but waltzing will do me no harm if you’re the one holding me. Besides, we ought to show our guests that we’re comfortable with one another’s society.”

  “By all means,” he said, leading her back inside.

  Chapter Nine

  “I don’t see how we can continue.” Seated across from Christine the following afternoon, Florentina made the admission grudgingly. “It frustrates me to admit defeat but we mustn’t allow passion to overcome caution.”

  “We aren’t necessarily defeated yet.”

  “Our foes are getting closer by the day, and if we’re uncovered we’ll be no further use to anyone. For myself I don’t much care, although I should dislike the dowager duchess to know that I’ve used my position within her household as a cover for our activities.”

  Christine waved her objections aside. “If I know anything about Her Grace, she’d probably applaud your motives and offer to assist us.”

  “Perhaps, but that’s not a chance I’m prepared to take.” Florentina shook her head decisively. “I’m responsible for Sophia and Ramon, and it’s their futures I must put first. And should the new duchess find out what we’re about, it would provide her with an excuse to have me turned away from the Court. Then where shall we be?”

  “Perhaps I should arrange for the others to come to a meeting. Together we might come up with some fresh ideas.”

  “Yes, and if we can’t think of anything then the next best thing would be to expose Dawson and Reynolds for the blaggards they are. They ought to be taken in charge and hanged for their crimes.”

  “Dawson has all manner of influential people in his pay. He’d be warned that he was under suspicion long before the authorities got anywhere near him. And if that happens, he’ll simply change his operating methods and wait for the storm to abate.”

  “Yes, you’re right of course.” Florentina blew air through her lips. “But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.”

  “Don’t be downhearted. Think of all the poor souls we’ve helped already and take heart from our success.”

  “I do.” Florentina smiled. “I shudder to imagine what would have happened to Sophia, Ramon and myself if you’d not been merciful.”

  Christine reached across and patted her hand. “I have some good news regarding our latest refugees. Lady Middleton knows of someone who will take two of the girls on as kitchen maids.”

  “Ah, that’s splendid!”

  “Do you know if the lad has a way with horses?”

  “I’ll ask him when I deliver their food today.”

  “If so, I think I might be able to persuade Lord Peterson to take him on in their stable yard.”

  “That would be good of him. But the boy has no English at all.”

  “I’m sure that won’t signify.” Christine smiled. “But tell me, I’ve been dying of curiosity. How was the duchess’s soiree?”

  “It went well enough, I suppose.” Florentina related the names of all the guests, going on to describe the sumptuous dinner and giving details of the ladies’ gowns.

  “That’s all very interesting but you know it’s not what I really want to hear.”

  Florentina opened her eyes wide in feigned surprise. “Isn’t it?”

  “Come on, tell me how Adam behaved in your company.”

  “He was very charming, as a matter of fact. He came to the dower house and escorted his mother to the Court.”

  “And you, too, presumably.”

  “Yes, but he could hardly help doing that if he wished to escort his mother.”

  “Indeed he couldn’t.” Christine’s eyes were brimming with laughter. “But I dare say that didn’t find favour with the new duchess.”

  “No, she was in quite a taking about it. And when Adam asked me to waltz—”

  “He waltzed with you?” Christine elevated her brows. “Oh dear!”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because I suspect the duchess planned for him to waltz with her. You can’t have endeared yourself to her by being his first choice.”

  “Nothing I do will ever make that woman look upon me favourably.”

  “Well, never mind that. I collect that he continues to treat you with courtesy.”

  Florentina blushed scarlet, causing Christine to dissolve into fits of laughter.

  “Ah, I see, well, I’ll not embarrass you by asking for any more explanations.”

  “Thank you,” Florentina said primly.

  “But just tell me if he questioned you further about your posing as a courtesan.”

  “Well, yes, but I anticipated that he might and made up a story to satisfy him.”

  “Did you indeed! That was very clever of you. What did you tell him?”

  Florentina smiled triumphantly and retold her tale.

  Christine’s expression was openly sceptical. “And he believed you?”

  “Of course. Why ever shouldn’t he?”

  The door opened and Sophia and Ramon bounded in, too eager to spend time with their sister to wait until they were summoned. Florentina fell upon them and hugged them close, aware of Christine sitting back and smiling fondly at them all.

  “What a charming scene.”

  Florentina started and scrambled to her feet. Adam loomed in the doorway, his expression dark and unreadable. He walked into the room and closed the door behind him.

  “Adam!” Christine’s voice was tinged with alarm. “I didn’t expect to see you here this afternoon.”

  “Evidently. No one was about downstairs so I took the liberty of showing myself up.” He inclined his head. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, not at all.”

  Ramon stood protectively in front of his two sisters, shielding them from the intruder by puffing out his thin chest and spreading his arms wide. He frowned and babbled away in rapid Spanish, causing Florentina’s heart to go out to him. He was only twelve but had already learned that strange men were not to be trusted.

  “It’s all right, Ramon,” she said in their own language. “Lord Fitzroy intends us no harm.”

  “Indeed I don’t.” Adam crouched down, also speaking in Spanish. And then to Florentina, in English. “Will you introduce me?”

  Florentina shared a swift glance with Christine, who nodded just once. Aware that further denial would be futile, she rested o
ne hand on a shoulder of each child.

  “This is my sister Sophia and brother Ramon,” she said. “Sophia, Ramon, this is Lord Fitzroy.”

  The children, round-eyed with fear, kept darting questioning glances at Florentina and said nothing.

  “Good afternoon,” Adam said in English.

  After several prompts from Florentina both children responded to him in the same language. Florentina was proud of the elegant curtsey Sophia executed. Ramon still stood in front of his sisters, fists now clenched at his sides, too rigid to even attempt a bow.

  “Go back to your duties and I will be with you directly,” she said.

  They obeyed with transparent reluctance. As soon as they were gone, Florentina fell onto a love seat and Adam took the chair opposite her.

  “Well, ladies,” he said pleasantly.

  Christine poured him a cup of tea, providing Florentina with precious seconds to gather her scattered thoughts.

  “I can see that you won’t be content until you know all of my business,” she said.

  “Since you reside in my mother’s household, I don’t think that’s so very unreasonable.” When she didn’t immediately respond, he spoke again. “My mother thinks highly of you, and I respect her opinion. But it’s apparent that you’re living under considerable strain, presumably because of whatever it was that caused you and your siblings to flee Spain. I’m well aware of the unstable situation in that country,” he said, smiling directly at her in a manner that made her feel most peculiar. “If I can help to ease your burden you have but to say the word.”

  He sat back and looked at her expectantly but still Florentina hesitated. Secrecy had become second nature to her, and although she instinctively felt she could trust Adam, it was still difficult for her to open up to him.

  “Tell him,” Christine promptly gently.

  “Muy bien. Since you insist. But there’s little you can do to help.”