Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) (14 page)

Surprised at Damien’s remark, Phillipa paused in her dressing, ‘No – we did not talk of love as such; we just took it for granted. But then I realized what love and passion were, when I met you.’

‘So why did you still insist on refusing me?’

She appeared from behind the screen, dressed in a silken nightrail and matching robe, both decorated with the finest point lace, ‘You offered money Damien, as if that would persuade me. I felt like a bag of money in human form, to be exchanged from hand to hand.’

‘But I first told you, I loved you so much.’ He took her hand stroking it. 

‘Yes but then you followed it up with offers of status and money.  So what did you really think of me? If I had accepted, you would have thought for evermore I really married you for that. Our love was tarnished before we began; and Hector the same. Where was I in all of this that you both thought you could buy my heart? Was that my only worth? Money?  I was tormented on all sides.’

‘I said I offered you my heart Phillipa.’

‘Yes, and then spoilt it with offering money.’

‘But you spoke of it time and time again; how generous Hector was in offering to pay for your siblings’ future.’

‘I was naive then, I had not felt the true core of love, a love that does not ask for money or gifts.

‘Then I am blessed to have your heart, my love. Forgive me. I see what you mean. Let me tell you now, you are more than life itself to me. You might as well know, I came to your room earlier tonight to plead my case once more, and if you refused, I was going to abduct you, then you would be forced to marry me. I wanted to take all the torment from you.’

‘Good lord, why I never dreamt….’ Her lips parted in a grin. ‘You mean you would have forcibly carried me from here?’

‘Yes, gagged you and carried you down the trellis, the pipes nearby are stout and would carry our combined weight.

‘Why you rogue, you are incorrigible.’

‘There is nothing a man will not do for love Phillipa. Pray tell me what is your intent now?’

Wringing her hands, she said, ‘I still harbour misgivings of forsaking Hector, he is so kind, and he is true to me, but I will say now, he has a mercurial temper. Thankfully, he does get over it pretty quickly.’

‘How think you, if you found out he had a mistress or an alliance?’

‘What a strange question Damien, do you?’

‘No, I am fixated on you.’

‘This is all beside the point; I love you Damien, and now I must find the strength to face all; I tremble at the thought of telling Hector; he will be devastated, and I fear could become vicious.’

Damien frowned; he had no fear of Hector’s wrath; it was just he was loathe to appear as a tell all, but he must save her from any more suffering, the girl would need support, when she learnt of Hector’s unfaithfulness.  ‘I think you should have a straight talk with Hector; m'dear and the sooner the better.’

‘Well I must needs wait for a decent hour. Tis far too early.’

‘Methinks now is as good a time as any. The sooner the better, for there is much you both have to do if you are to call off the wedding.’

‘Oh dear God, I am usually so strong of character, but this whole business has revealed a weak spot in me.’‘

‘Then I shall escort you. Come, now is as good a time as any.’

‘But I am dishabille; I must change, and I will need Mary to help me dress.’

‘Nonsense, you are well covered. Come now.’

Biting her lip, she rose to her feet. ‘Very well then.’ Picking up her glass, she drank the rest of the brandy. ‘For fortification,’ she said, dimpling.

Holding her arm, he escorted her from the room.

In the boudoir, Demetrius moved silently towards the secret panel.  So that was the way of it; as long as Pippa did not change her mind, her life was no longer in peril. With her out of the way there was only his brother to deal with. Maybe he could still enjoy her before he departed for Brussels.

Standing outside Hector’s door, Phillipa felt the urge to turn away, to run, to forget it all, except her love for Damien kept her rooted to the spot. After a couple of minutes, she bit her lip. ‘No reply, I expect he is in a deep sleep.’

Damien grimaced, ‘Then I will assist you.’ From his pocket he took out his key ring.

‘No, oh my lord, no, you cannot do that.’

‘Watch me.’ He was determined to release her from misery and fear. How dare the dick headed nob, keep her captive to his disloyalty.

Swiftly unlocking the door, he had the sudden thought; he was unlocking the iron bars of her prison. Soon she would be as free as the heron on the lake, free to cry out, free to fly.

Peering into the darkness, she stepped hesitantly toward the four-poster bed, the curtains were drawn back to reveal two slumbering forms.

‘Oh, oh dear God – Hector?’ 

‘What? What? Oh.’ Hector shot up, and grappling with the sheet, threw it over Amaryllis.  But she gave a mumbled gasp and threw it off to reveal she lacked even a chemise. Sitting up she realized her mistake, and tried to hide behind Hector’s bare back.

Phillipa stepped back, her hands to her face as if to hide the vision before her.  No it couldn’t be, mustn’t be. She peeped through her fingers; yes, it was true.  ‘Hector? What means this?’ her heart thumped in her chest.

‘Phillipa what can I say, I … err …’

‘How could you? You – you liar – cheat – oh ….’ Her words dried up as she burst into tears. Through her sobs, she cried out, ‘How could you deceive me? I trusted—’

‘Look my duck, I….’

‘Don’t you dare to call me your duck. I hate you – hate you – you goose headed nincompoop.’ Glaring at Amaryllis, she shouted, ‘And you – you game pullet, you – you are welcome to him. Hector, make yourself decent. I will see you in your dressing room.’ Lifting her head imperiously, she caught hold of Damien’s arm, and pulled him into the other room.

‘You knew – you – you cur’ she ripped up at him. ‘You should have prepared me.’

‘M’dear the last thing I was going to be was a teller of tales. Far rather, you saw it for yourself. Come now you can’t deny you are relieved?’

‘I know not what to think.’ she hissed. ‘You’ve known all along?’

‘Only just found out m’dear. Come now, tis done, you are free – free as a bird. Say you are not relieved?’

‘Relieved? My lord I am all of a fudge. How dare you subject me to such an improper state of affairs? Why Lady Amaryllis looked fit to swoon. But then she is a mean cat, la, she is lower than a barque of frailty.’

‘M’dear your use of rhetoric is quite rich,’ he said trying to bite back a smile.

Hector came into the room tying up the belt of his maroon silk banyan, followed by Lady Amaryllis, wearing another of his robes in dark green embroidered with blue peacocks.

‘So Hector what have you to say for yourself, and own up to the truth. Do not insult me with Canterbury tales.’

‘M’dear, I—’

‘I am not your dear – but pray carry on.’

‘I – err….’

‘So that is where you were yesterday, with your game pullet, you were not seeing to your estate at all were you?’

‘Pray do not call me a game pullet my lady.’ Amaryllis muttered, scowling.

‘M’dear t’was only an interlude,’ spluttered Hector pacing the floor.

‘An interlude? How dare you?  How could you’ Amaryllis cried, hitting him on the arm.  ‘After all you promised me.’ Turning to Phillipa, she wept, wrenching her small hands, ‘He said we would run away together.’

‘Well he’s left it rather late to do that hasn’t he? To own the truth, he has fed you a farrage of nonsense.’ Phillipa retorted, in high dudgeon. ‘How could you? I trusted you Hector, but now I release you from your bond to me.’

Hector rounded on Damien, the first sign of his hot temper showing. ‘You, your grace, what is your role in all of this, and what are you doing with my fiancé at this time of the morning? I’ve good mind to call you out right now sir.’

‘You will not lay a finger on him,’ Phillipa cried.

‘I am in love with Lady Thurston, and made an offer. Damien said dryly,

‘An offer? How dare you sir, she is my wife to be, she is spoken for already.’

‘Hector,’ wailed Amaryllis, ‘I shall tell my papa you made false promises.’

Hector turned to her, putting out his arms. ‘My darling, pray I do love you, but I am promised to this lady. I would incur the anger of her family. Indeed they could sue me.’

‘So that is why you quible over this, you are afraid of a fine?’ Phillipa said incredulously.

‘And where is your duty to me?’ Amaryllis pouted, the tears streaming down her lovely face. ‘If you love me, you should take this opportunity to—’

‘Yes, you have made a mull of things Hector, but now you have the chance to make an honest woman of this – this ….’ Phillipa bit her lip, ‘this lady.’

‘May I come in here? Damien said, his voice clipped. ‘We cannot cover up this sorry state of affairs, but we can think up a ruse between us.’

‘How, in God’s name’ blustered Hector,

‘How?’ Amaryllis repeated almost shrieking.

‘Why we just change partners, marry our lovers. Quite easy really.’

‘But what of the families? Phillipa asked, her eyebrows raised.

‘Well we just explain we fell in love. We must play on the romanticism of the affair.’

‘I do not think they will hold with that.’ Hector said. ‘Besides I have not made any plans to marry any other than you Phillipa.’

‘Oh Hector you promised. ‘ Amaryllis wailed.

‘It is impossible; I will never marry you now Hector – never.’ Phillipa cried over Amaryllis’s sobs.

‘But duckie—’

If you call me that again, I will shoot you.’

‘Well that will solve everything, n’est-pas?’ Damien said dryly.

I suggest we should apprise the dowager now.’ Damien said firmly.

‘You opine wrongly sir; mama will be abed and will not rise until at least eleven of the clock. You forget the rout; it did not end until the early hours.’ Hector said.

‘Hmm, then it will be so awkward; the wedding guests will arrive at all hours of the day, she will be caught up with that. I fear for her heart if she has to undergo such stress.’

‘There is no other way Hector.’ Phillipa said, ‘I know your mama is stout of heart and strong of body. However, I agree, t’would be cruel to rouse her at such an unearthly hour. We shall just have to wait.’

Hector growled, ‘I also have a hunting and shooting party starting at twelve of the clock, and I can hardly miss it.’

Phillipa bit her lip, so like him, ever the Corinthian; the sport came first. ‘I think t’will not be such a curmudgeon, after all there are few guests, albeit some have travelled many miles; they will be mainly family will they not?’

Grudgingly, Hector nodded. ‘Yes, tis so. In fact, we are only having the wedding breakfast and not any dancing.  That was one reason mama threw the rout.’

Damien felt a surge of concern for the little dowager; however, resilient she may be, t’was not something to be taken lightly.  Nevertheless, he would do all in his power to see he lightened her load. In fact, he had an idea that may not compensate, but would relieve the cloudy overtones of the day. In fact, it could make her the hostess of the season. He determined to summon his valet when they were finished here.

Phillipa straightened her back against the chair. ‘So we will speak to the dowager just before lunch. All agreed?’

Hector nodded whilst Amaryllis hung her head, her mind seething, now was her chance, the chance to catch him, not only a baron, but a baron with a fortune; she would have to play this very carefully. ‘Am I to be present? Will it be too much?’ ’

‘Err, good thinking, tis better you wait for us m’dear, then I can formally introduce you afterwards.’ Hector said  gruffly.

‘So we will meet here in five hours. Tis five of the clock now.’ Damien said. He went over to Phillipa, offering his arm. ‘May I escort you back to your room m’dear?’

Smiling, she placed her hand on his sleeve.

Once back in her room, he took her in his arms, stroking the tousled locks. ‘My love, tis over now, you are free.’

‘Oh Damien that was so hard, I quite thought my heart would break, not because I loved him but for his disloyalty.’

‘I know you are tired sweetheart, but I am thinking as the vicar will be here to marry you both, perhaps we could make use of him.’

‘But, you do not have a licence

‘Really? Is that so?’ He grinned, holding her at arm's length.

Her eyes widened, ‘No – you haven’t?’

‘Oh, one thing about military life is learning how to plan right to the minutest detail.’ Putting his hand over his top pocket, he said, ‘It sits in my pocket, to be used at my convenience. So come here.’ He led her to the chaise longue, and as she sat down, he knelt on one knee. Looking up at her, his dark eyes glittering, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box and opened it.

‘Oh Damien,’ she whispered, beholding the most brilliant square cut sapphire with diamonds.

‘Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’ he said ardently.

‘Oh Damien, yes – yes and yes.’

Laughing, he took her hand and placed the ring on her finger.  Rising, he pulled her to her feet and hefted her in his arms, danced around the room. ‘My love – my love.’ Giggling, she held on as he twirled round faster and faster, until she almost shrieked.

Carrying her to the bed, he said, ‘Now I have two options, one is to ravish you here and now and the other to leave you to sleep. Your choice my love.’

Giggling, she shook her head, ‘Much as I love you Damien, I wish you to marry a pure damsel.’

‘Hah, the days of chivalry are not over my love, so with that I will leave you before I am tempted beyond what a man can stand.’

Smiling, she slipped between the sheets, but oh how her body ached for him. She looked at the closed door, if he returned she did not know how she would refuse him. With such sweet thoughts whirling in her head, her eyes grew heavy.

In her dreams, she ran through the forest, running, slipping, her satin slippers tearing, her feet cut open. He was not far behind her; she could hear the evil laughter, the sinister words, ‘I will catch you when I may, never more shall you stray from me.’ Twas the voice of Demetrius, with heart pumping, her eyes wild, she ran on, she must escape, must....

Her eyes opened to see a male form standing by her bed. Gasping, she cowered back.

‘Darling, tis only me, you are affrighted. Bad dreams?’

Relieved she nodded, sitting up in the bed. Damien sat beside her, holding her gently.  Tis nine of the clock, I think you should rise now. We must hurry to catch the dowager.  ‘

‘Yes, yes of course.’ As she went to slip out of bed, she looked up him questioningly.

‘Hah, you wish me to leave? Why, have I not beheld your beautiful form many times now?’

That does not make it any better Damien. Now please leave I must make my ablutions and dress.’ Slipping out of bed, she went to walk to the bell pull at the window, only for him to catch her up in his arms. ‘And good morning to you too. Come, my wife to be, kiss me, delight me with your sweetness.’

Her dream now evaporated she softly touched his lips with hers, only for him to lift her off her toes as he pressed firmly, opening her lips. Her sense swirled as he rolled his tongue around hers, the exquisite thrill dancing through her body. Moaning slightly, she yielded to him, arching her body against his.

With a soft growl, he let her go.’ ‘I must go before I lose control. You little minx I know not what you do to me. All I wish to do is savour your scent, your touch, your body. Adieu. I will see you outside Hector’s room in fifteen minutes.’

‘Fifteen? Goodness, how am I to make myself respectable in so short a time, Mary will need  that long to dress my hair. Thirty minutes?’

‘Oh very well. Now I must go before you lose your virginity.’

Using long strokes to brush her hair, Mary began braiding, ‘Oh ma’am I can’t believe it. You really mean to marry Lord Delmare?’

‘Yes, it has all happened so fast Mary. You must keep this to yourself. I tell you only as you are so close to me. ’

‘Ooh, but he is such a handsome gentleman. I can’t believe it of Lord Hector. I mean what with marryin’ and all in two days’ time.’

‘Tis just as well, I found out now.’ As Mary began placing the braids on the crown of her head, Phillipa frowned. ‘Tis a bit severe Mary, I think perhaps that hairpiece of curls would be better.’

‘Very well milady, I just thought it would be quicker, seeing as you were in a hurry and all.’

‘Yes I am, but appearance is all Mary, especially today.’

As she joined them on the landing, Hector turned to Damien. ‘Give me a few moments with Lady Phillipa, please Delmare.’

Damien acquiesced with a polite bow and walked on down the stairs.

Pulling at his cuffs, Hector snarled, ‘Tis time to stop this nonsense Phillipa, we have a duty y’know, tis not just us, tis the families. Ye can’t ignore ‘em can’t just break their hearts y’know?’

‘I beg your pardon, but t’was you who broke mine. I discovered you in the arms of another woman, just a couple of days before your wedding. How can you possibly think I would marry you now?’

‘This ain’t about petty jealousies Pippa my girl, do grow up. You know a man’s entitled to a little light of love when he feels the need. That’s what a bit of muslin’s for. There’s nothing in it, just a passing pleasure. So come now be sensible, I forgive you, I know what with a wedding and all, tis too much perhaps for your pretty little head.’

‘Don’t be so damn patronizing Hector. I have put it behind me – especially you. I realize now I am not beholden to my family, love them yes, but I cannot rule their lives no more than they can rule mine. We must put an end to this way of life, these sanctions that enable families to barter away a woman’s life at birth; neither will I sacrifice my life for you and your lecherous ways. I see now how it will be, me at the manor caring for the children, whilst you go lechering where you will.’

‘Hey steady on duckie.’

‘There you go again, duckie, well I am not waddling around quacking after you anymore. You can quack on your own. That is how ridiculous you are. Now I do not wish to hear anymore.’

Nodding to his room, he barked, ‘I’m inclined to drag you in there, and give you a beating. That’s what you deserve, a beating, I have been too lenient.’  With that, he gripped her arm, dragging her towards his bedroom.

‘Let go now. How dare you even—’