Love Only Once (27 page)
“Heavens, no. He wasn’t for me and I knew it. I was thankful for my one night with him. It occurred soon after I lost my husband. I was close to losing my sanity as well and Nicholas helped me see that my life wasn’t over after all. I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”
Reggie nodded and Anne Henslowe patted her arm. “Don’t let it get to you, my dear. He is yours now, forever.”
But he wasn’t hers, and he hadn’t been hers after that one night nearly a year ago.
She thanked Mrs. Henslowe and looked around for Nicholas. He wasn’t there, and he wasn’t in the dining room or the music room. That left the conservatory, and she retraced her steps back through the dining room and quietly
slipped into the glass-walled sun room. It was warm and dark, the only light coming through the far windows of the dining room. It was just light enough to see as far as the fountain, to see the pink lacy gown and short black curls of Selena Eddington, whose arms were wrapped around Nicholas’ neck.
“Are you enjoying your tour of the house, Lady Selena?” Reggie called out, approaching them.
Her voice drew them apart. Selena had the grace to look embarrassed. But Nicholas didn’t seem at all contrite. In fact, he turned dark with anger. Seeing his anger, Reggie’s outrage turned to throat-tightening pain. Ninny! He hadn’t wanted to stop holding Selena.
She turned and left as quickly as she could. Nicholas called after her, but she only hurried her step. The philandering libertine! How could she have been so stupid—so foolish—as to hope?
When she reached the antechamber, Reggie stopped short. No, she would not run and hide as if her heart were breaking. Malorys were made of sterner stuff. They did not make the mistake of falling in love with the same person twice. Love wasn’t why she had this tight knot in her throat. No, indeed, she was choking on anger, that was all.
She stepped into the drawing room again, the smile she had worn most of the day right back in place. Calmly, she took a seat and plunged into conversation with Faith and Lady Whately.
Nicholas entered the drawing room the mo
ment after Reggie sat down. He took one look at her tranquil expression and his heart sank. What had he expected? Tears? In order to be jealous, a person had to care. The devil take Selena straight to hell for throwing her arms around him and catching him off guard like that. Had she known Reggie was nearby? He hadn’t wanted to escort Selena through the house in the first place, but she had challenged him, hinting that he was afraid to be seen with her, whispering that he was no longer his own man. Like a bloody fool, he dragged her from room to room, giving her the tour. Idiot!
She wanted to see what was behind the closed doors of the conservatory, and once inside, a single flower on a twisting vine caught her eye. Nothing would do but she must have it. After two attempts to reach it herself, she had pleaded sweetly for him to get it. He went for the bloody bloom, and no sooner had he plucked it and turned to hand it to her than she had her arms locked behind his neck. Two seconds had passed, and then Regina spoke. It was unbelievable, the worst piece of luck imaginable.
He looked at Regina again and her eyes met his. In that moment before she turned away, her eyes shot blue flames at him.
Nicholas’ hopes soared. He grinned. She didn’t care? Then why was she so furious with him? Determined now, he approached the three women on the sofa. “May I join you, ladies?
What with all the duties of the host, I haven’t had a moment to spare for my lovely wife.”
“There isn’t room, Nicholas,” Reggie said flatly.
And there wasn’t, not with the ample posterior of Lady Whately taking up half of the sofa. But he was not deterred by that or by Reggie’s stiff tone.
He caught her wrist, tugging her up to stand, then sat down and pulled her down onto his lap.
“Nicholas!” she gasped.
“Don’t be embarrassed, love.” He grinned, holding her firmly in place.
“Scandalous, Lord Montieth!” Lady Whately was even more embarrassed then Regina. “If you are so eager to be near your wife, you may have my seat.”
She left, and then Faith moved away as well, pretending a sudden interest in a painting across the room. Reggie slipped off her husband’s lap and sat beside him. She wanted to move away from him entirely, but his arm over her shoulder kept her on the sofa.
“That was—”
“Shush,” he whispered. “And smile, love. We are being observed.” She smiled up at him tightly but her eyes cursed him anyway. He chuckled. “Is that the best you can do?” Then he said softly, “It was nothing, you know.”
She didn’t have to ask what he meant. “Of course not,” she retorted ironically.
“It really wasn’t. She made an attempt to se
duce me and she failed. It was no more than that.”
“Oh, I believe you, my lord,” she said flatly, her voice icy. “I believe you because I have twice been told tonight that your ex-mistresses do not interest you once they fall into the ex-category. One of your former ladies assured me that you ‘never return for seconds.’ So I must believe it even when my eyes tell me differently.”
“You’re jealous.”
“Stuff!”
He grinned devilishly. “Your informant wasn’t totally correct, love. Were you the meal, I would return for seconds and thirds and gorge myself to death.”
“Oh!” she gasped. “I am in no mood to be quizzed, sir! Good night to you.”
She shot to her feet before he could grab her and left the room. He let her go, smiling to himself. He was beginning to think Miriam’s gathering was going to be just what was needed to get his wife back. Wouldn’t the old bird die to know she had helped him! His grin widened. His mood was becoming positively buoyant.
W
ARM sunlight spilled into the morning and breakfast rooms, both of which were thrown open to accommodate so many guests. On the long buffet were platters piled high with eggs; kippers; ham and sausage; an assortment of toast, muffins, and rolls; and six kinds of jellies. Hot chocolate was offered, and tea and coffee and clotted cream. Footmen refilled the platters as soon as they emptied.
It was early, and many were still asleep or had availed themselves of the well-stocked stable for a morning ride. Reggie was down because Thomas had awakened at dawn and, after feeding him, she hadn’t been able to sleep again. The Whatelys were at breakfast, as well as Pamela Ritchie and the Duke of Windfield. Reggie let their conversation move around her. She wasn’t keen to put on a cheerful face again. Brooding thoughts had followed her to bed last night and were still hounding her, Nicholas at the center of those thoughts.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t known all along what type of man he was, but, devil take him,
couldn’t he wait until returning to London before cavorting with another woman? Why was he at Silverley, anyway? She certainly hadn’t expected him to be. And that constant scowl of his was so unnerving.
She ought to leave, she knew that. Divorce was out of the question, but she didn’t have to live under the same roof with him. She could return to Haverston. Uncle Jason wouldn’t mind.
But she had no right to keep Thomas away from his father. And Tess had told her that Nicholas was visiting the nursery at least twice each day, shooing Tess out so he could be alone with his son. He did accept Thomas as his, it was just doubtful he would ever get around to acknowledging that to Reggie.
She sighed deeply. Hadn’t she once said it wouldn’t matter how her marriage turned out just so long as she didn’t have to go on hunting for a husband? How foolishly naive!
“My dear, you have a visitor,” Eleanor announced as she came into the room, Lord Dicken Barrett right behind her. “George—? Oh, dear. I don’t remember.”
“George Fowler,” Lord Barrett supplied.
“Oh, yes, Fowler,” Eleanor agreed. “Sayers put him in the waiting room, what with the house so full.”
Sayers was standing in the doorway, and Reggie frowned to hide her surprise. She stood up. “The waiting room is no place for George. Put him in the library. It should be empty at this hour. And have tea sent in.” She dismissed
Sayers with a nod, then turned to Eleanor. “You should have slept later, Ellie, if you’re still tired.”
“I’m fine, dear. We did have a late night of it, but I enjoyed myself.” Her eyes met Lord Barrett’s briefly. “I’ll be wide-awake once I have my tea. Do you know your caller?”
“Yes,” Reggie replied. “But I can’t imagine what he’s doing here.”
“Well, you had best see to him. Dicken and I will just have a little something to eat before going on our ride.”
Eleanor, riding? Imagine! “I didn’t know you enjoyed riding, Ellie.”
“Oh, my, yes. But it’s so much nicer when you have someone along for company.” She leaned closer, adding, “You and Nicholas must try it.”
Reggie answered noncommittally and left the room.
George Fowler stood up the moment she entered the library, coming forward to bow over her hand. She had forgotten what a pleasant-looking young man George was, with his mop of sandy brown curls and neatly trimmed mustache, his dark green eyes and well-cut figure. He was a little on the short side—no, not really. She mustn’t compare every man to her husband.
“I fear I’ve come at an inconvenient time,” he apologized. “The fellow who took my horse grumbled that there wasn’t room for even one more in your stable.”
“It’s a bit of a squeeze, but I am in no way inconvenienced.”
“But you have guests to attend—”
“Not at all,” she assured him. “This is my mother-in-law’s gathering, planned before we arrived. Mostly her friends—and my husband’s—and only a few are up at this hour. Do sit down, George.” They seated themselves facing each other. “You’re welcome to stay, too, if you like. You probably know most everyone here, and I’m sure we can find you a place for the night, if you don’t mind sharing a room.”
He grinned happily. “I would accept, if I hadn’t already received a summons from my mum. She’s on holiday down in Brighton and I thought I would stop by to see you on the way, see how you’re getting on.”
Reggie smiled at him. He had gone far out of his way in order to see her. “It has been a long time, hasn’t it?” She opened the subject happily, remembering how charming he could be.
“A deuced long time,” he emphasized.
Hallie brought in tea, and Reggie poured.
“How is your mother, George?”
“As well as can be expected, considering her disposition.” He said this with a grimace, as if he expected quite a drubbing when he arrived in Brighton. “The whole family’s well. Speaking of family, I saw your Uncle Anthony at the club last week. He seemed in the boughs over something. Nearly came to blows with another fellow just for bumping into him.”
Reggie knew what that meant. A week ago
would have been the time Anthony learned that Nicholas was back.
“Uncle Tony has his moods, though fortunately he doesn’t have them often.”
“And do you?” His expression was suddenly serious.
“Have moods, George? Don’t we all?”
“You don’t mind being buried out here in the country? I would perish within a week.”
“I love Silverley. I always did prefer the country.”
He seemed disappointed. “I thought perhaps you…weren’t happy here. One does hear things.” He coughed. Was he embarrassed?
“One should close his ears, then,” she chided. “I’m happy, George.” But she couldn’t look him in the eye.
“You’re sure?”
“She has told you so, Fowler,” Nicholas stated coldly from the doorway. “And since that is obviously what you came to find out, I shall appreciate your leaving.”
Reggie jumped to her feet. “Nicholas!”
“That’s quite all right, Reggie,” George offered, standing.
“That’s
Lady Montieth
, old chap,” Nicholas said smoothly, eyes bright. “You will remember that, won’t you?”
Reggie was incredulous. “You don’t have to go, George, really you don’t.”
“Oh, but he does, I insist.” Nicholas then turned and bellowed into the hall. “Sayers! The gentleman is leaving.”
Reggie flushed crimson. “I’m sorry, George. There is no excuse for such rudeness.”
“Think nothing of it.” George bent over her hand, ignoring for a moment the indomitable man in the doorway. “It was a pleasure seeing you again, however briefly.”
Reggie waited only two seconds after George slipped out of the room before she emitted a cry of rage, her cobalt eyes shooting sparks at Nicholas. “How dare you? Did
I
throw
your whores
out? Did I?” She barely paused for breath. “You are insufferable, sir, utterly!” she raged. “Is this another preposterous rule of yours? First you refuse to allow my family to visit here, and now my friends are not welcome!”
“I would not call an old love a friend,” he retorted.”
“He was not an old love. And you are a fine one to talk, with four of
your
old loves sleeping in this house last night. Why, you were probably even with one of them—or more than one!”
“If you had shared my bed last night, you would know where I was.”
Her mouth dropped open, then angrily snapped shut. Share his bed after she had caught him with another woman? He was annoying her on purpose. Well, he’d succeeded in rousing her fury.
She squared her shoulders. “Your disgraceful behavior has made up my mind for me, sir. I refuse to live another day with such a churlish boor. I am going home.”
That brought Nicholas up short. “This
is
your home, Regina.”
“It might have been, but you have made it intolerable.”
“You’re not leaving,” he stated flatly.
“You can’t stop me.”
“I can indeed do just that. See if I don’t!”
Silence followed. They glared at each other, and then Regina stalked out.
Nicholas’ shoulders drooped. Why the bloody hell had he lost his head like that? He had intended to coax her back to her old self, then woo her into his bed tonight. Everything could have been right by tomorrow. What the everlasting hell was the matter with him? She was right, his behavior was insufferable, and he didn’t even begin to understand it himself.