A Duchess Enraged (15 page)

Allegra gently raised
her hand and touched his cheek. He was so beautiful, she thought, so splendid.
A week ago she hadn't imagined that they would ever be on speaking terms, much
less lovers. And now he was hers. She sighed.

"Adam, I'm
scared."

Adam raised his head,
roused from his own black thoughts. "What's wrong?"

Allegra hesitated and
then struggled up on her elbows. Adam couldn't help admiring the way her
breasts swayed, still framed by their lacy border.

"I'm scared to
go back to London tomorrow," she said.

Adam looked
perplexed. "Why? Mother will be happy to see us."

Allegra sighed.
"I know. I just...it's just that in London we were different people than
we are now. I'm frightened that if we go back everything will change."

"What will
change? I will still be your adoring husband, and you will still be my
beautiful wife." Adam leaned forward and kissed her lingeringly.

"But everything
here is so perfect," Allegra tried to explain. "We're happy together.
In London there will be...other people. It won't be the same. Can't we stay
longer?"

"I'd love to,
darling, but people will talk. And I have business to attend to that shouldn't
wait. Don't worry, I'll always have time for this." Adam allowed his hand
to glide across her shoulder.

Allegra gave a wan
smile. "I know. I'm being silly, I suppose. It just seems that everything
will change when we go back."

"I won't allow
anything to change," promised Adam. "You can trust me."

"I know,"
said Allegra. "I do."

They clung together
on the desk, the rays of the setting sun caressing their mingled bodies, each
lost in thought.

Ladies and Lies

They left Gravesmere
early the next morning, and Allegra looked back regretfully over her shoulder
as the carriage bowled down the drive. The old house slumbered in the hazy
light, and she couldn't repress a pang of regret and a tiny shiver of fear.
Despite Adam's reassurances the day before and a wonderful night spent in his
arms, her doubts would not be dismissed. After all, everything that had come
between them in the past was in London; her social life and many beaux, and Lady
Manning. The thought of Adam's mistress distressed her. She knew that Louisa
wouldn't take her dismissal easily. And the older woman had kept Adam in thrall
for many months; how could Allegra compete with her after only a week of real
closeness? He had never mentioned love to her, and while he had seemed to enjoy
their time together, she still knew so little about him and his interests and
needs.

She moved restlessly
on the brocaded seat, and Adam gave her a shrewd glance. His own thoughts were
less than enjoyable, as he remembered his doubts about Allegra's blossoming
sexuality. Any man would feel blessed to have a wife who responded with the
rare passion of his bride, but somehow a tiny corner of his mind wished she
were somewhat more restrained. He shook his head. It was nonsense, of course.
He had no reason to doubt Allegra; he was absolutely certain that she had been
a virgin on their first night together. And while she had never spoken of love
to him, she showed no signs of missing her beaux. He would simply have to make
sure she was too busy to become interested in another man.

He reached across the
space between the seats and grasped her about the waist, pulling her towards
him in a tumble of silk.

"Adam," she
gasped, stifling a giggle. "What are you doing?"

"You looked
lonely over there," he answered. "I thought you'd like some
company."

"Mmmm, I
would." Allegra nestled her head into his broad shoulder and took a deep,
steadying breath. The changes in her life had been so abrupt that she simply
wasn't ready for them, she told herself. Surely Adam had shown how fond he was
of her over the past week? And if he didn't love her, at least he found her
satisfactory in bed, and perhaps affection would grow from that. She flushed
slightly as Adam's arm tightened around her. Everything would be fine, she
thought. London was no different than any other place.

Several long hours
later the carriage pulled up in front of Gravesmere's townhouse. The liveried
footman climbed down from the box and went to open the door for his master. The
curtains were drawn over the windows, and he thought he heard the sound of
nervous laughter. He cleared his throat and rapped cautiously.

"Your Grace?”

"Just a
moment." The duke's voice sounded as though something was amusing him
greatly, and several seconds passed before the door swung open from the inside.
Adam, his hair slightly ruffled, swung down from the carriage with a jaunty
step. "It's all right, Charles," he said. "I'll attend to Her
Grace."

He turned and gently
lifted Allegra down, holding her a moment longer than was necessarily. The
silks of her skirt were slightly crumpled, but she held herself proudly as she
cast a roguish glance up at her husband.

"I can't believe
we've arrived so soon. The trip took no time at all."

"Indeed.
Travelling together relieves some of the boredom."

Allegra dimpled.
"I used to prefer to ride, but I think that this trip has convinced me of
the superiority of the carriage as a form of transportation."

Adam took her hand
firmly in his. "You're insatiable."

Allegra nodded.
"And you, Adam? You're not?"

Adam laughed and led
her up the stairs to the front door. "Behave yourself. My mother awaits
us."

"And I do look
forward to seeing her. I've missed her, despite your excellent company. And
she'll be so happy to see that we're getting along so well." She stepped
into the dim light of the hall and began to remove the pins from her hat.

"I will indeed.
I was almost afraid that after I left the two of you would begin quarrelling
again."

Allegra swung around
to see Emily awaiting then at the foot of the stairs, wreathed in smiles. She
gave a glad cry and ran to her mother-in-law, hugging her close.

"Have you missed
us?" she demanded.

Emily looked over her
daughter-in-law's head into Adam's eyes. What she saw there seemed to reassure
her, and she nodded. "Of course I have, darling. But I'm very happy that
you and Adam seem to have come to terms with each other. Come upstairs now and
tell me all about your honeymoon."

"Of
course!" Allegra turned to Adam, who still stood near the door. "Will
you come with us?"

Adam hesitated.
"In a moment. I need to go to my study and check some business matters.
Can you do without me for a little while?"

Allegra laughed.
"Of course. Your mother and I will have a comfortable chat and you may
join us when you will. Come along, Mama. I need you to fill me in on all the
gossip I missed in my absence."

"Goodness!"
exclaimed Emily. "All of it? That would take hours!"

Adam watched as his
mother and wife turned and went up the stairs to the morning room, a smile on
his lips. He watched the gentle sway of Allegra's hips under her silk skirt,
and the proud way she held her head. She was lovely, and quite irresistible. It
was almost alarming how she filled his thoughts.

He sighed as he
turned and strode down the hall to his study. He pushed open the door and took
a deep breath. The room was his sanctuary, a place he would go when he wished
to be alone and think things out by himself. But now he had a difficult task
ahead of him, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He sat down behind the large
oaken desk, sinking into the soft leather chair. A number of letters that had
been delivered during his absence rested on the desktop, and he sorted through
them impatiently. He paused as he lifted one addressed to him in a flowery,
feminine handwriting that was very familiar. The faint scent of lilacs wafted
from the paper, and he set it down quickly, unopened. Louisa.

He tried without
success to bring a picture of her to his mind. He knew her hair was dark and
her eyes violet, but when he tried to recall her face all he could see was a
laughing angel, her red-gold hair sparkling in the sunlight above her naked
white shoulders. He bit out a curse. It was unnatural the way Allegra had crept
into his thoughts, seeming to dominate them at all times. Nonetheless, he had
promised to rid himself of Louise, and he was aware that he no longer desired
her at all. Whatever his feelings had been for her, they had gone little deeper
than the physical, he now realized.

He drew a piece of
paper towards himself and picked up his pen, dipping it thoughtfully in the
inkwell. "Dear Louisa," he began, and then sat a moment, staring at
the page. She would surely be distraught when she received this. Louisa
depended on him for so much, and he had promised not to abandon her. Hadn't she
told him over and over again how much she loved him? A sense of guilt came over
him, and then he pushed it aside. He would make sure she wanted for nothing,
that she had enough money to keep her in luxury for the rest of her life. She
had always known that he was married, after all.

He raised the pen
again, and then hesitated as he tried to form sentences. Perhaps it would be best
to tell her in person. He didn't relish the tears he was sure would follow, but
he owed it to her to tell her face-to-face. But then he thought of the scene
she might create, and hesitated. On rare occasions he had witnessed Louisa's
temper, and while it had never been directed against him, it had been very
unpleasant. Perhaps a note would be best.

As he hesitated, the
pen hovering over the paper, there came a knock at the door. The butler stuck
his head around the corner of the door.

"Your mother
wishes to know if you will take tea with the ladies," he asked.

Adam stood up
hastily, glad for the interruption. "Yes I will, Bates. As a matter of
fact, I'll come with you right now." He left the room without a backward
glance, the letter abandoned on his desk.

Allegra and Adam
stayed home with Emily that evening, relaxing after their journey. Allegra felt
a slight alleviation of her anxiety as Adam remained charming and attentive,
and showed no sign of wishing to go out. And when it came time to retire, Adam
went into his own bedroom, but soon there came a knock on the connecting door,
and he joined her in her bed, staying until late the next morning. That
afternoon he took her riding in the park, and all of London society was treated
to the sight of the Duke and Duchess of Gravesmere, apparently very happy in
each other's company. For different reasons both were reluctant to rejoin the
social whirl and they stayed home again the next night, though Adam ventured
out to his club for a few hours that evening. The laughter and curiosity he was
greeted with made him long for Allegra's presence, and he soon returned to her
side, somewhat startled himself by this sudden domesticity.

The next evening
there was a grand ball, and Emily asked Adam and Allegra to accompany her. Adam
grimaced, but agreed, and a few hours later he stood waiting in the hallway for
the appearance of his wife. He was slightly uncomfortable in his finery; a week
of wearing only riding clothes had made him unused to the discomfort of town
satins and laces. He paced back and forth, unwilling to admit to a sense of
nervousness about the approaching festivities. Allegra's many cavaliers would
surely be present, and he would have to but the best possible face on it, but
the thought of sharing her made him grind his teeth. He felt a sudden urge to
run upstairs and lock the two of them in her boudoir, but he knew it would be
foolish of him. Eventually, Society must be faced.

He looked up to see
Allegra standing at the top of the stairs, one dainty hand resting on the
railing. She was dressed all in icy blue, with an underskirt shot with silver
and diamonds sparkling on her wrists and in her powdered hair. He stopped,
transfixed to see the hoyden from Gravesmere transformed into a porcelain doll,
and then a surge of lust gripped him as her beauty washed over him. No matter
how she looked, he realized, he wanted her. He stepped forward and held out his
hand.

Allegra had been
watching him doubtfully, wondering if this elegant stranger was indeed her
warm, sensual husband. But when he smiled and beckoned her, an answering
twinkle appeared in her eye and she ran down the stairs, ignoring her elegant
gown. She took a tiny hop at the next to last stair and landed safe in the
circle of his arms, a laugh bubbling out of her.

"I didn't
recognize you at first," she said reproachfully. "You look like a
duke."

"And you look
very much the duchess," he responded. "I thought perhaps you expected
me to bow to you."

Allegra wrinkled her
nose. "I'd much rather you kissed me."

Adam obeyed her
request with alacrity, and her response was eager. The unbidden questions as to
whether or not she was wearing drawers under her elegant gown sprang into his
mind. With a determined effort he held her away from her again, his arms
gripping her shoulders tightly. "We won't get out of the house if you keep
doing that."

"We could stay
home," purred Allegra, trying to move closer.

"Mother will be
disappointed if we don't go," said Adam, closing his eyes against her
allure. He could feel her heat, even at a distance, and his body responded
instinctively.

"Oh."
Allegra made a face. "You're right. I wouldn't want to let Mama
down."

"Exactly. And
when we get home tonight we'll be all the more eager for the wait." Adam
raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Now you'll have
me thinking wicked thoughts all evening," whispered Allegra.
""Tis most unfair."

Adam smiled down at
her warmly as his mother came down the stairs to join them, promise in his
eyes.

The Gravesmeres
arrived at the ball and were greeted ecstatically both by their friends and the
merely curious, all eager to know if the stories already circling about their
newfound happiness were true. Allegra was immediately besieged by a crowd of
young gentlemen, all begging to dance with her, and she gave Adam a comical
look over their heads. To her relief he didn't seem angry, but merely smiled at
her, his eyes resting meaningfully on her face. She flushed as she sensed his
thoughts, and turned back to her beaux, her hands shaking slightly. She
wondered how she could ever have thought herself a grown woman before this past
week. All her flirtations seemed like the hollowest amusement now.

Adam allowed himself
to be borne off to the card room by his friends, certain that in a little time
his wife would be more approachable and he could secure a dance. To his relief
he felt no real jealousy towards the men clamoring around her; the look on her
face had told him that she was thinking only of him. He felt quite secure in
the bond he now shared with Allegra.

Allegra's dance card
was soon full, and she proceeded to enjoy herself to the fullest, knowing that
Adam would be there at the end of the evening. During a minuet, her partner
stepped on her petticoat, producing a telltale ripping sound. He apologized
profusely, and she waved his concern away, but after the dance she retreated to
the antechamber reserved for the use of ladies to repair such damage as the
dancing might make to their paint, coiffures, or clothing. It was cool and
quiet within, for Allegra was the only occupant, and she found herself
welcoming the solitude as she struggled to locate the errant flounce and
produce a makeshift repair. Her work done, Allegra remained seated for a few
moments, fanning herself.