His Wicked Lady (2 page)

“I know, but is it wrong to marry just so I
can have someone in my bed? It’s not why I married the first
time.”

“If I recall right, you married Frederick
because you were in your first Season and wanted to please your
parents by marrying a titled gentleman. The bedroom never once
crossed your mind.”

“Yes, that is true.” Back then, she’d been a
virgin and hadn’t known what to expect. Two years of marriage had
changed all that. She knew very well what to expect, and more than
that, she had enjoyed it—thoroughly. “Frederick was an excellent
lover.”

Her friend’s lips curled up. “So you told me
on more than one occasion.”

“Well, he hadn’t started out that way. He had
to be taught.”

“You’ve told me that, too.”

Sensing her friend’s amusement, Regan sighed.
“Do you really think it’s fair for me to marry again? What if
Leonard thinks I’m trying to replace his father?”

Danette’s expression grew serious. She set
down her glass and placed her hand over Regan’s. “Leonard’s four.
He doesn’t even remember Frederick.”

“I know, but I want him to know about
Frederick.”

“He can learn about his father even if you
marry again. You don’t have to sacrifice the one to have the
other.”

“But he’d have to be good with children. I’d
want him to be good to Leonard.”

“Of course, you would. Any mother would want
that for her child.”

There was a lull in their conversation, so
Regan turned her attention back to the people in the room. Only
with her dear childhood friend Danette could she speak so openly
about her feelings, especially in a public place such as this. But
no one overheard them. No one even glanced in their direction.
Regan couldn’t believe it.

At twenty-three, she was a wallflower.
Danette, having never married, considered herself a spinster at
twenty-four, though Regan thought she could easily find a husband
if she’d put any effort into it. But her friend was hesitant after
two failed engagements, none of which were her fault.

With a groan, Regan slapped the arms of her
chair and stood up. “Come. Let us ask some gentlemen to dance.”

Danette shook her head. “No, we can’t!”

“Why not?”

“Because it doesn’t work that way. They are
to ask us, not the other way around.”

“Says who?”

“Society.”

Regan waved her hand. “Society? What does
society know? You really think all those people are enjoying
themselves?” She gestured to the dance floor. “Most are only
pretending they like their dance partners because they’re supposed
to. Why, look at….look at…” She scanned the crowd and saw a
dark-haired gentleman who seemed as if he was about to fall asleep
while he listened to the lady he was dancing with. “Look at him.
He’s having a hard time keeping his eyes open. Sure, he’s smiling,
but it’s not genuine.”

The music ended, and he bowed to his
companion.

“I’m going to go over to him and bring some
excitement to his evening,” Regan decided.

“Better you than me,” her friend said.

Realizing her friend was determined to spend
all night in the chair, Regan marched right over to the gentleman
in question. It didn’t matter one whit who he was. She just needed
to do something, even small, that was out of the norm, something to
ease the feeling of being trapped in a box. Even if it was for this
one moment, she was going to do something unexpected.

The dark-haired gentleman was in the process
of heading for the refreshments, but she grabbed his hand, spun him
around, and led him to the dancing area before he had a chance to
protest. She faced him and curtsied as the music started.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he finally
managed once he overcame his shock.

“Waiting for you to lead the dance,” she
replied then gestured to the couples around them.

He stood still, his dark brows, which matched
his thick hair, furrowed, as if he couldn’t make up his mind on
what to do. He was very pleasing to look at. No wonder she’d picked
him on a whim. At the time, she’d thought it was because he seemed
bored, but the rush of excitement at being close to him told her
otherwise. It’d been a long time since she’d felt any spark of
attraction for a gentleman, and she’d forgotten how pleasant it
was.

She took his hand and winked. “I won’t hurt
you. I promise.” Then she picked up on the step to the dance.

All at once he seemed to snap out of his
shock and began to dance. “You do know it wasn’t appropriate of you
to drag me over here like this, don’t you?”

With a shrug, she offered a coy smile. “Maybe
you were so handsome I couldn’t resist.”

He paused in his step, so she nudged him in
the side to remind him to keep up with the others.

“If a lady wants to dance with a particular
gentleman and he hasn’t asked, then what else is she to do?” she
asked. “I could have pined for you all evening, or I could have
taken matters into my own hands and met you. So…what should I call
you?”

After a moment of moving his lips but not
saying anything, he finally blurted out, “Mr. Jasper.”

“Not a tilted gentleman then? No wonder you
aren’t more persistent in finding a wife. You have no title to
worry about passing on to the next generation.”

“Have you been watching me all evening?”

She thought about letting him believe it. It
would, no doubt, boost his confidence, but it wouldn’t be right to
lie. Not to him. “I’ll tell you the truth. I just noticed you a
moment ago. But,” she continued when he seemed ready to reply,
“you’re a good looking gentleman, so I thought, ‘Why not dance with
him?’”

Though a hint of red graced his cheeks, he
said, “I don’t think you should be so bold. What if you get us into
a scandal?” He glanced around them. “You’re fortunate no one
noticed the way you hauled me over here.”

She laughed. Oh, but he was just darling.
Despite his age, which she supposed to be in the mid-twenties, he
had such an innocence about him. “Mr. Jasper, when I get you
involved in a scandal, it’ll be worth it.” Then, simply to see what
his reaction would be, she winked suggestively at him.

He gasped and made sure no one saw her. “I
demand you stop this at once. I don’t wish to be the subject of a
scandal. I have a good reputation in this town, and I wish to keep
it that way.”

“You’re so adorable.”

He hushed her. “I don’t want to be
adorable.”

“Why not?”

“Adorable is for children and pets. It’s not
for grown gentlemen.”

“But you are adorable. It’s a refreshing
change from my otherwise dull life.”

“I’m not here for your amusement,” he
replied, not softening at all under her attempt to lighten the
mood.

Maybe she should have been adequately
discouraged by his response, but for her, it was quite the
opposite. In him, she had a challenge, and there was nothing like a
challenge to make her feel alive. “Why are you here if you don’t
wish to marry?”

“Who says I don’t wish to marry?”

“You aren’t exactly putting forth a lot of
effort into winning any hearts. Why, you were ready to fall asleep
with your last dance partner. If you wanted to marry, you’d at
least feign some interest.”

“I’ve had a long day. I’m an important person
with important things to do.”

Amused, she grinned. “Then it’s my good
fortune we met.”

He let out a slight huff, indicating he had
no idea how to respond.

She couldn’t help but chuckle. “You are a lot
of fun. I have a feeling we could get along very well.”

To her surprise, he blanched. “Well, as it so
happens, I’m already engaged.”

“You are not.”

“Oh yes, I am. It’s quite serious. We are to
marry soon.”

She didn’t believe him for a minute, but,
just to humor him, she asked, “Where is she?”

He looked taken off guard by her question.
“Pardon?”

“The future Mrs. Jasper. Where is she?”

“She’s not here. She’s taken ill.”

“That’s convenient.”

“It’s not convenient. It’s the truth.”

She shook her head.

This time, he looked indignant. “I can’t help
it if you believe me or not.”

“As it turns out, I don’t believe you.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask the Duchess of
Ashbourne. It’s her job to pair up couples. She can find the
perfect gentleman for you and arrange the marriage on your behalf.”
The music came to an end, and he let out a loud sigh of relief.
“Finding a husband without enacting a scandal is in your best
interest.” He straightened his suit jacket, lifted his chin in the
air, and then walked away.

She couldn’t help but smile. Oh, she would
pay the duchess a visit. She’d do it tomorrow, and it would be
interesting to know if the lady would confirm he was really
engaged.

Chapter Two

M
alcolm wasted no time in going to his sister’s townhouse after
he left the ball. In any other situation, he would have waited
until the next day, but considering his lie, he didn’t have time to
waste. He knocked on the door and shifted anxiously from one foot
to another as he waited for the footman to answer, glancing over
his shoulder to make sure that blonde-haired lady from the ball
hadn’t followed him.

Never in his life had he imagined a lady
would come right up to him, take his hand, and insist he dance with
her. Just what had she been thinking? Her action could have very
well trapped them both into a marriage neither asked for.

He shook his head. It was a sign. His
father’s prayers were working, and it was only a matter of time
before Malcolm ended up with a wife. Well, if he was going to get
married, he wasn’t going to be thrown into it by someone else. He
was going to do it himself.

The footman opened the door and led him into
the drawing room where Melissa was singing to her one-month-old
son. His heart softened at the sight of his nephew. Even if Logan
was Mathias’ father, he was one of the best babies in all of
London. Plus, with Malcolm for an uncle, there was a lot of hope
for the baby.

A smile lit up Malcolm’s face as he strode
over to his sister. “May I hold my dear nephew?”

Melissa returned his smile and motioned for
him to sit on the settee next to her. “Sure you may.”

Once she settled his nephew in his arms,
Malcolm stared down at the boy, who stared at him with wide blue
eyes. “Good evening there, Mathias. You remember me, don’t you? I’m
your good looking and intelligent Uncle Malcolm.”

Melissa chuckled. “I’m sure he remembers
you.”

“I want to make sure he remembers I’m good
looking and intelligent. I can only guess what that husband of
yours says when he has this impressionable young lad all to
himself.”

“Logan doesn’t talk about you to
Mathias.”

“Not when you’re around to see it.”

“Not at all.”

He shook his head and lifted his gaze
heavenward. “You are so naïve, but if it makes you feel better to
believe it, then do so.” Turning his attention to his nephew, he
added, “We must allow your mother some fantasies. How else will she
cope with the fact that she’s married to your father?”

“You’re a bit of a cad yourself,
Malcolm.”

He gasped and covered Mathias’ ears. “Don’t
you dare say that in front of my nephew. He’s been untainted from
the world, and I’d like to keep it that way.” Uncovering the boy’s
ears, he continued, “You’re wondering what your mother and I are
saying? Oh, we’re just agreeing that you should do everything you
can to turn out like me.”

Mathias’ eyes grew wider, and he cooed in a
way that suggested he was asking a question.

“Don’t worry,” Malcolm assured him. “We have
plenty of time to help you do that. I know it’ll be difficult to
attain to the level of respectability I’ve managed, especially
given the way things are in London, but I promise you, it’s
possible. There are still decent people in the world.”

His sister shot him an amused smirk as she
rose from the settee. “I take it you didn’t have a good evening at
Lord Roderick’s ball?”

“Considering you got scandalized at one of
his balls, I can’t be surprised.”

She picked up a decanter and poured him some
brandy. “There was a scandal this evening?”

“No, thankfully, there wasn’t.” Though there
might have been had fortune not prevailed. “I don’t understand the
appeal of going to the balls. I went with you as a chaperone. There
was a purpose. But it seems meaningless to spend the evening
reveling in gossip and other idle chatter between dances when I
could be doing something productive with my time.”

“Like holding a baby?”

“Exactly. This is much better.” Mathias let
out a contented sigh, and Malcolm nodded. “See? Even he agrees.
He’s taking after me already.”