Savage Deception (Liberty's Ladies) (17 page)

Sitting up, she reached for her robe and began pulling it on. “So now you know that I’m flesh and blood, one of your many mewling women, taken in by your ‘special talents.’ But you still haven’t won the wager. I didn’t beg you to make love to me, nor shall I.”

“But you did respond to me,” he reminded her in a somewhat puzzled tone of voice, standing to tower over her.

Her hand tightened around the silken sash at her waist. “Yes, but…”

“But nothing!” Tanner practically growled at her, and any gentleness he’d shown to her earlier had fled. He grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her against him. “You’re the most infuriating woman I’ve ever had the misfortune to know. A few minutes ago I would have bet that you were truly made from something other than stone, but now I think you’re heartless.” His face was filled with such pain that Diana felt guilty. “I thought that if I were tender with you, gentle, you would respond to me, and you did. You had no idea how you looked, how utterly beautiful you were when you climaxed. Your pleasure was my joy because I could do that for you, but now — now you’re back to the cold and self-controlled Diana. The Diana who can’t see beyond her own mistaken notion of what and who I am. No, you didn’t beg me to make love to you, but you would have in time, and you’d have lost Briarhaven and your precious freedom in the process.”

Tanner thrust her away from him, total disgust registering in his eyes. “So you’ve got both of them. You can have Briarhaven and your freedom; I don’t want either one of you.” He grabbed his heavy topcoat and started for the door. “And don’t bother to ask me where I’m going, because I know my whereabouts don’t matter to you. But I’ll tell you that I’m going to find someone who’ll appreciate my ‘special talents,’ as you so delicately put it, because, lady, it’s apparent that you don’t.”

He was gone before she could summon the words to call him back, but she knew it wouldn’t have done any good. She’d lost Tanner before she’d even truly had him, but she’d won Briarhaven and her freedom. Strangely, she found no consolation in the knowledge.

Instead of going upstairs, Diana sat in the chair until the feel of Tanner’s body heat had dissipated. The fire still roared in the fireplace, but a chill settled over her like an autumn frost. Despite her resolve not to cry, Diana felt tears start to trickle down her cheeks, and within seconds it seemed that a dam had broken loose inside her. She’d won, but it was plain now to her that she had indeed lost something of great value.

11

Diana waited in the dressmaker’s salon while Marisa whirled about in a daring gown of amber and green flounces before coming to stand before Diana for her opinion. “What do you think of it?” Marisa asked. “Do you think I should have the bodice raised? It really is a trifle too low.” Marisa fidgeted with the neckline and waited expectantly for her cousin to answer.

“Did you say something?” Diana focused on the pretty young woman, suddenly aware that Marisa had spoken. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

Marisa sighed and bent down to pat Diana’s hand, which rested on the chair arm. “No wonder. All you’ve done the last two days is mope about. If mother and I hadn’t arrived for a visit, you’d still be sitting in that house all by yourself. We’d never have known about what happened between you and … your husband. At least not right away,” Marisa amended and blushed. “But Gabriella Fox has such a big mouth that all of Charlestown must be aware that Tanner has left the townhouse by now.”

Diana grimaced, knowing that her marriage was the talk of Tory circles. With Gabriella still residing at Diana’s aunt’s home, Diana surmised that Aunt Frances and Marisa must be privy to a great deal more about Tanner Sheridan and Gabriella than they were letting on. Diana silently thanked them for not saying very much. She didn’t believe she could bear knowing for certain that Tanner had taken up with Gabriella again, though she was almost positive he had. She wanted to bite her tongue rather than inquire about Tanner, but she found herself uttering the words before she could stop herself. “I imagine he spends a great deal of time with her.”

“Not at our house, I assure you, Diana. Mother would never allow such goings on under her roof. And besides, Gabriella is married, as is Tanner. You’re his wife and our closest relative. We’d never dream of letting him visit her there. She’s our guest only because her husband was so very friendly with Papa. Anyway, Gabriella mentioned she received a letter from Mr. Fox. He’s coming home most any day and they’ll retire to their plantation. Gabriella seemed almost pleased at the news. Apparently she’s growing bored with the men of Charlestown and must be ready to turn her attention to him. Poor devil,” Marisa muttered but did the unladylike by swearing under her breath. “I’m sorry, Diana, if I’ve said too much or spoken out of turn. Really, Mother and I are quite upset over all of this and to learn you’re so unhappy.”

“But I’m not unhappy,” Diana protested and smiled disingenuously. “My marriage was doomed from the start. Now, tell me if you plan to wear that dress at the party on New Year’s Eve. You look beautiful in it.”

A becoming smile lit up Marisa’s face and she pirouetted. “I do look rather grown up, don’t I?”

“Yes, and soon you’ll be marrying, no doubt.”

“Gracious no, Diana!” Marisa lowered her voice. “There’s hardly a patriot left in Charlestown and I refuse to even consider a Tory for a husband, or one of those redcoats Gabriella is always inviting to the house. I’m an American,” she proudly pronounced, “and I shall marry only an American. But no one can tell when that will be or if I’ll ever meet the man of my dreams.”

An image of Marisa with Clay Sinclair stirred within Diana’s brain, and she instantly concluded that they’d be perfect for one another. “You must come visit me at Briarhaven very soon, Marisa. I have a feeling that the man of your dreams might soon become a reality.”

“And what about the man of your dreams?” Marisa countered. “Do you believe Tanner will show up for his own party?”

Diana made an attempt at smoothing out the wrinkles of her gray satin day gown, then absently played with the drawstring on her reticule. “Tanner arranged this party weeks ago. Cammie and the servants are doing everything, and I suppose all I have to do is dress and go downstairs.” She took her cousin’s hands in hers. “I’m pleased that you and Aunt Frances will be there at my invitation. At least there will be two friendly faces among a sea of gossip mongers.”

Marisa smiled weakly, and Diana knew she hadn’t answered her question about Tanner showing up. It would be just like him not to come to his own party, to make her humiliation complete. She could almost imagine what everyone would say, but she couldn’t hide in her room all night. She refused to allow anyone to believe she was a weakling or to think that Tanner’s leaving her had totally undone her. To a great extent it had, but no one needed to know that. Let them say what they wanted. She didn’t have to apologize to anyone for anything. But why did she need to see Tanner just once more before leaving for Briarhaven on New Year’s Day? She felt she must say something to him; there was so much left unsettled and unsaid between them.

“Which gown are you planning to wear?” Marisa asked Diana.

She hadn’t thought about a gown before now, but a naughty smile turned up the edges of her lips. “I have the perfect one in mind,” she told her cousin. “If anyone comes to the party expecting to find me prostrate with grief over my husband’s desertion, they’ll be quite surprised.”

~ ~ ~

“How long shall you avail yourself of my hospitality, Tanner?”

Tanner glanced at the young man who spoke to him and threw his napkin onto the table with barely a hint of disgust in the gesture. The tasty meal of quail and sweet potatoes was left uneaten, but he gestured to the servant hovering nearby to refill the wine cup. “I don’t know,” Tanner answered General Lord Rawdon in all seriousness. “I do appreciate the use of your quarters and realize that I’m putting you out. I apologize for any problems my presence might be causing you.”

Rawdon shook his head, his youngish appearance belying a skilled leader, and leaned back in his chair. “Stay as long as you like” he offered, “but I wonder if you wouldn’t rather be at home with your wife. I haven’t met the lady, but my informants have praised her beauty and her virtue, and from what I’ve learned she doesn’t seem to be shrewish. So why are you really here?”

Tanner looked sheepish. “Diana scares the hell out of me.”

“What? I can’t believe that the great Mariah, a man whose very name has caused brave men to cower with fear, is afraid of a mere woman.” Rawdon didn’t hide his pleasure or stifle his hearty laugh. “Tell me what power this wench wields over you that you run from your home like a whipped dog with your tail between your legs.”

Tanner abruptly rose from his chair and looked out the window at the clear, star-filled sky. If any other man but Rawdon had made such an insulting comment to him, Tanner would have already wrestled him to the floor. But Tanner liked Rawdon and they respected one another, and he knew that the general didn’t mean to laugh at him. After all, the situation
was
a bit laughable and ironic. Mariah could inspire fear in brave men while Tanner Sheridan quaked in his boots before a woman. He wondered what was wrong with him, why he constantly felt the need to run, but he realized he already knew. No matter what lies Diana had told about him years ago, he loved her. Yet he already suspected, as he had at Briarhaven, that his love was doomed. He was beneath her, so inferior to her that no matter his power and his wealth now, he couldn’t make her love him.

When Tanner turned back to Rawdon, the flickering golden lights of the candelabrum on the table emphasized the pain in his eyes. “Perhaps by loving a heartless woman I’m being repaid for some of the horrible things I’ve done. I’d rather be whipped to within an inch of my life than suffer this … torment of soul.”

“Good God. I had no idea that you felt this strongly about Diana Sheridan. I knew you wanted certain things done as a way of seeking some sort of vengeance upon her, but it seems the tables have turned. We’ve known one another for quite some time, Tanner, and I’ve never known you to fall in love before.”

“There’s a first time for everything, my friend, and a last.” Tanner shrugged and wiped an imaginary stain from his frock coat, which was dark blue and made of the finest velvet. “The problem is that Diana is the only woman I’ve ever loved or will love. And she hates the very ground I tread upon.”

“There are other women in the world,” observed Rawdon. “Gabriella Fox is quite smitten with you.”

“Gabriella is a whore.”

“Yes, well…”

“And as far as other women, they don’t exist for me. They aren’t Diana.”

“The great Mariah, brought low by a woman. I don’t believe it.” Rawdon twisted the wine cup between his hands. “Then I assume you won’t attend the party at your house this evening.”

Tanner’s eyes glittered like black pearls. “Never assume anything about me.”

~ ~ ~

It seemed that every Tory in Charlestown was at the party. Diana wandered among the elegantly dressed women and men, mingling with the British redcoats and gritting her teeth the whole time, exchanging pleasantries. She couldn’t wait for this farce of a party to end. The only person she cared about was Marisa. They stayed near each other, both feeling horribly out of place in this sea of British loyalists and hoping that no one would discern their rebel sentiments. Wearing the scarlet gown Tanner had bought for her, Diana appeared the proper Tory, and with the huge smile pasted on her face, she didn’t resemble a discarded wife in the least. Over the years she’d had enough practice with Kingsley to play her part well.

She downed a glass of champagne and mumbled to Marisa, “If ever I get the chance to see Tanner Sheridan again, I will tell him what an awful man he is not to show up for a party he planned in the first place. I swear I think he wants to humiliate me.”

“Oh, I doubt it. Maybe he believes you don’t care about him and feels there’s no reason to come… .” Marisa’s voice drifted away at the same instant her gaze moved to the parlor doorway. “Prepare yourself for a shock,” she advised Diana. “Your husband has just arrived with Gabriella Fox.”

Diana heard the hush fall across the room as Marisa finished speaking. Suddenly she found herself the center of attention as Tanner came toward her with his painted harpy hanging on his arm.
Miserable man!
she silently groused, but a gnawing pain settled in her heart to think that Tanner would humiliate her by flaunting the woman just like Kingsley had done with Jarla or one of his tarts. Diana couldn’t help but be struck by the notion that Gabriella belonged here at the party more than she herself did. Tanner owned the townhouse and had the right to bring anyone he wished to his own party.

Acting the charming hostess, she smiled pleasantly and hid her hurt, but she couldn’t quell the blush that rose to her cheeks at the memory of her body’s response beneath Tanner’s hands only nights ago. She prayed he’d think the spots of color on her cheeks were from too much champagne and laughter, and not because of him.

Diana held out her hand to Tanner like a queen to a noble knight, but she wasn’t prepared for the jolting shock when their fingers touched. “How glad I am that you showed up for your own party. And Gabriella too. How divine.”

“I’m sorry we’re late,” Tanner apologized and his dark gaze swept appraisingly over Diana. “You look beautiful,” he whispered near Diana’s ear.

She couldn’t find the words to acknowledge that compliment. She ached to tell him that he was devilishly handsome in his elegant frock coat. No man in the room was as handsome as Tanner.

Tanner turned his attention to Marisa and Gabriella sidled up to Diana. “The weather has turned unbearably cold, Diana dear. I do hope you’re making proper use of the warming pan at nights. Those sheets can get horribly chilled when one sleeps alone. I, on the other hand, wouldn’t know about that as I never sleep alone. My bed is quite warm.”

“Oh, I had no idea that Jasper has been keeping you company at night.”

“Jasper?”

“Yes, Aunt France’s basset hound, but then again, Gabriella, darling, I would expect you’re used to lying with dogs. Of course, I did think old Jasper had better taste. Now excuse me, dear, I have guests.” Diana moved through the throng of people, very much aware that Gabriella’s gaze bored through her back.

For the next hour, Diana watched while Gabriella openly flirted with Tanner. She was very aware that he seemed more than taken with the immoral creature, not batting an eyelash in Diana’s direction. She felt slighted and angry. Tanner was her husband,
her husband,
and he didn’t care enough about her even to speak further to her. By the time she’d consumed three more glasses of champagne, Diana had convinced herself that she didn’t care at all about Tanner
or
Gabriella. In fact, she began flirting outrageously with a Captain Cummings, pretending she found his boring stories about battles to be pure heroics of the highest order, when in fact she didn’t hear one word he uttered.