Seduction In Silk: A Novel of the Malloren World (Malloran) (8 page)

Athena said, “I believe our poor female minds can absorb the facts, wet or dry.”

Ellie chuckled.

Perriam’s brows twitched, but if anything he was amused, which wasn’t a good sign. A powerful opponent wasn’t amusing.

“Giles Perriam died recently, leaving no surviving son, despite taking three wives and siring four sons. All died young. I hesitate to mention the next detail because it’s foolish, but it’s the pin that holds these tattered shreds together. He believed the deaths came about through a curse, a curse laid on him by your aunt, Miss Mallow.”

“By Aunt Clarrie?” Claris asked, staring at him.

“Whom he ruined and abandoned. Do you know that tale?”

“I do, and it’s a wicked one. Giles Perriam married Aunt Clarrie but later denied it, despite her being with child. She committed suicide and Mother hated him for it, with reason. I know nothing of a curse, however, and don’t believe in such things.”

“Giles Perriam did suffer misfortune,” Perriam pointed out.

“I hope that was this Clarrie’s doing,” Athena said. “Such wretches should suffer, and I applaud her!”

“As do I,” Claris said.

Perriam looked at her. “Even though she might have caused the deaths of four innocent babes and three equally innocent wives?”

Ah, that changed everything.

A portrait of Aunt Clarrie had hung in the rectory. She’d looked so sweet, so gentle.

“The blame rests on the originator,” Athena stated. “On Giles Perriam. If there is divine justice, he now burns in hell.”

“It does seem likely. However, he’s left some poison to trouble the living. The matter of our marriage—”

“There is no such matter!” Claris stated.

“Which can be laid at your mother’s door.”

“
Mother?
What has she to do with this?”

“When Giles’s second wife died, your mother made occasion to visit him to remind him of the curse and to make a demand—that he pledge to marry you when you were of age and thus appease your aunt Clarrie’s shade. That, she claimed, would lift the curse from him and his heirs.”

Claris laughed in disbelief. “Even she wouldn’t do that. Marry me to a wicked debaucher? An old wicked debaucher?”

“A young wicked debaucher would be tolerable?”

“Such as you?” Claris leaned forward to glare at him. “No husband will ever be tolerable, sir, so you might as well leave now.”

“I am not a wicked debaucher,” he said, lips tight. Good, that had struck home. “Do you truly disbelieve the story?”

Claris wanted to deny every word, but she couldn’t. “Mother was obsessed by Perriam wickedness,” she admitted, “and perhaps out of her wits over it. She might have gone to such an extreme. But nothing came of her plan.”

“When did your mother die?”

She didn’t want to answer questions, but it was hardly a secret.

“Eleven years ago, not long after the birth of my brothers.”

“So when she made that visit you were too young to marry and Giles was a widower desperate for another chance to get a son. There was never any hope that he would agree. It would have been about then that he married his third wife.”

“With the same lack of success?” Athena said.

“Two stillbirths, which drove the poor lady mad. She lingered until a year ago, preventing any further efforts, thank God.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t rush to the altar as soon as she was buried.”

“By then his own health was failing, and willing brides were thin on the ground.”

“And you offer me this treat?” Claris demanded.

His eyes turned cold. “I am not him, and with the curse overwhelmed by our marriage, you’ll have nothing to fear.”

“Women die in childbirth without curses.”

“You’ll have nothing
exceptional
to fear.”

Claris smiled. “But in spinsterhood I have nothing to fear at all. Are you finished?”

He held her gaze, but she would not be quelled, despite the fear beating within her.

He looked away—to take a paper from his pocket.

“Perhaps the words will move you.” He unfolded the sheet and placed it before her. It was many years old and worn along the folds as if often handled. The ink had faded.

“Your aunt Clarrie’s curse.”

“Read it aloud,” Athena commanded. She could no longer read without spectacles, but didn’t like it known.

Claris picked up the paper, disturbed by the very feel of it. The handwriting reminded her of her mother’s, but it was smaller and with loops. The look of it didn’t match the harsh words.

“‘You have betrayed me, Giles Perriam,’” she read. “‘You have made me a whore and my unborn child a bastard and your money cannot wash that clean. You’ll hear no more from me, but now and with my last breath I wish on you the sufferings that your black heart deserves. May you suffer as I must suffer. May any wife you take die young as I must die, and any children die young as mine must die. May you yourself die young and suffering. May your guilt oppress you every day until Satan comes to carry you to burn in hell, and may this curse pass to your heirs as long as time may be.’”

Shaken by the force of the words, Claris put the paper down and pushed it away.

“Nonsense,” Athena said.

“The logical mind scoffs,” Perriam agreed, “but travelers bring tales that challenge logic, and Giles suffered all she condemned him to except oppressive guilt.” He looked at Claris. “Did your aunt know anything of curses?”

“I can’t imagine how, but she died before I was born. All I know of her is my mother’s loving praise and a portrait. She looked sweet and gentle in that.”

“May I see it?”

“I no longer have it,” Claris said, and didn’t explain. “She would never have attempted a curse, however, so your purpose is hollow.”

“Not according to your mother.”

“She wasn’t rational on the subject. This curse is nonsense and you have no reason to attempt to marry me and can leave now.”

He picked up the paper, folded it, and put it away. He didn’t rise. “I’m driven by nothing so macabre, Miss Mallow. I need to secure Perriam Manor to my family, and Giles Perriam made our marriage a condition of the inheritance. If you and I don’t wed within a month of his death, the property goes elsewhere.”

“Then it must go elsewhere, sir, for I will not marry you.”

He spread his hands, unimpressed. “An impasse.”

Claris rose. “For you, perhaps, but not for me. Please leave.”

He remained seated. “No pistol this time?”

“It is prepared, in case.”

A twinkle lit his eyes. “How delightful! Please be seated, Miss Mallow, so I may tempt you with the many benefits of our marriage.”

Claris almost did so. Instead she caught herself, folded her arms, and glared. Why would he not see that she was resolute?

He turned to Athena. “You’re a woman of the world, ma’am. You must see how the marriage would improve your granddaughter’s life.”

“Must I?” Athena said. “I found marriage so intolerable that I fled it.”

“Did you? Such a fascinating family.” He turned his smile on Claris. “I can’t claim great wealth, Miss Mallow, but I can provide a very comfortable life for my wife. What’s more, and you seem to have failed to grasp this, I’m at your mercy. You may demand what you will.”

“Except, it seems, that you leave and never bother me again.”

“Except that,” he agreed. “But you may continue to live here if you wish, or I can offer Perriam Manor as an alternative residence. It’s of modest size, but in good repair and well furnished, though in an old style. I’m sure it’s cozy in winter and pleasant in summer. It’s surrounded by parkland and gardens that I would judge adequate but ripe for improvement, if gardening is your true delight.”

Claris kept a stony face. “Alas, with you present, sir, all would be spoiled.”

“Then you’ll be delighted to know that I would rarely be there. I’m much engaged in Town matters and can only enjoy rural delights now and then.”

“Even one day a year would be too much.” His amiable confidence was stirring her temper and for once she welcomed it. “Why am I debating this with you?” She loosened her arms to point at the door. “Begone!”

“Consider,” he said, completely unmoved. “You would be the mistress of a comfortable domain, and enjoy its income. Did I not mention that?”

“Will you not leave!”

“The income of the manor would be yours to do with as you wish,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “You would need for nothing.”

“Except my independence! I would have a husband, a lord and master.”

“Alas, true, but I assure you that I am far too busy to abuse my powers.”

“
Busy?
What if you have an idle moment, sir?
Leave!
”

“I must remain until you change your mind.”

Breathing hard, Claris saw that he meant it. He was disregarding every word she spoke. “You . . . you . . .” She grabbed the pistol and pointed it.

“Claris . . . ,” Athena said.

“Leave,” she growled, “or I
will
shoot you.”

The smile widened and his eyes lit.

He was
laughing
at her?

She cocked the pistol, the
click, click
loud in the room.

“You won’t fire it,” he said.

“Oh, won’t I?” Claris closed her eyes and squeezed the trigger.

A tremendous
boom
deafened her.

*  *  *

Ellie came downstairs, having finally settled Claris in bed with a soothing draft.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t have put powder in the barrel.”

“I decided that if she had reason to fire it, it might as well make a bang.”

Ellie rubbed her ears. “Nearly deafened me, but grand to see.”

“A girl of spirit. Don’t know why she’s fallen apart over it.”

“From knowing she tried to kill a man? And that if she had she’d hang for it?”

“I suppose that would shake her. All very interesting, isn’t it? I mean his story.”

Ellie returned to her damsons. “You sure he’s right for her?”

“Why do you think I am?”

“You reminded him of the twins.”

Athena shrugged. “He’ll have his way. Best if she goes willingly and on her own terms.”

“She’ll do it for the boys?”

“Of course she will, and they won’t appreciate the sacrifice. Born and bred to be selfish; that’s the male of the species.”

“Then why help him?”

“Claris is worthy of more than Old Barford and Lavender Cottage.”

Ellie gave her a look. “You intend more for yourself too.”

“Of course. It’s amused me to play at herbal lore among yokels, but I weary of it. Winter looms and I’ll not endure that again.”

“It wasn’t so very bad.”

“You nearly died of pneumonia and my bones tortured me. I intend that Claris be mistress of a pleasant country house by then, with all its income in her hands.”

“I’ll not see her forced into marriage against her will, and I’m surprised you would.”

“She isn’t me, Ellie. There’s no other life for her in this unjust world, and Perriam seems a decent enough man.”

“All the same, I might well load a pistol with ball next time.”

P
erry didn’t dawdle at the inn but rode straight back to Cheynings. He entered the house from the back, coming from the stables, and encountered Genova in the hall.

“Success?” she said with obvious surprise.

“Am I so transparent?”

“I can almost see banners waving. Or bloody heads on pikes.”

“The world seems distressingly void of ladies with sensitive minds.”

“And of men who understand the complexity of women,” she retorted. “What happened?”

“She shot me.”

She looked him over. “To little effect, it seems.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed. I was doing nothing more than trying to persuade her to see sense.”

“With a superior tone, I’m sure. A pity she missed.”

“She didn’t. It was very close range. The pistol lacked a ball.”

“Careless of her.”

“Or careful of whoever prepared it.”

“You seem in remarkably high spirits over it.”

“She’s a remarkable woman.”

“But you also sense victory. You’re not going to threaten to take her to court, are you?” She glanced at the footman. “We can’t talk here. Come to my boudoir. Ashart’s away, but I can’t wait for the tale.”

Perry went upstairs. He liked Genova’s cozy paneled room and it seemed a good place to savor victory.

As they both sat, he said, “Miss Mallow has brothers.”

“Who are large and strong and will defend her from vile imposition?”

“Who are eleven years old and likely to have a hard road without money and patronage.”

“Oh, by the stars. She’ll sacrifice herself for them?”

He was surprised by her outrage. “Her duty, surely.”

“Why? Is the family so impoverished that they lack education?”

“Not that I know, but the bare bones of an education are not the same as what I could offer.”

“The bare bones will do, however, if they have brains and resolution. Then there’s always the navy. They could go now as cabin boys. Many have risen from there to admiral.”

“Even there they’ll rise more easily with patronage; don’t deny it.”

Her lips tightened, which was an admission, but Perry had been surprised by her reaction. Of course she wasn’t cast from a common mold. He’d heard that she’d shot and killed a Barbary pirate who’d tried to capture her to sell to a harem.

“If you’d had a younger brother, would you have felt the same?” he asked.

“The situation would never have arisen.”

“Imagine it. By some disaster you were left orphaned and with little money, with a young brother hardly out of childhood for whom you care. A gentleman offers marriage which will provide comfort and security for you and a bright future for your brother. Would you reject it so absolutely?”

She frowned. “Annoying man. Probably not. Unless the marriage was abhorrent to me.”

“There is no reason for this marriage to be abhorrent to Miss Mallow.”

“That is for her to judge.”

“Unreasonable woman! There’s no reason for this marriage to be abhorrent to her, because I’ve promised that after the vows are said I will leave her completely to her own devices.”

Genova cocked her head. “That does remove many objections. However, before the law you would still be her master.”

“As Ashart is yours.”

“A factor that weighed with me, I assure you. Love is the very devil.”

Perry laughed. “Not something that will trouble Miss Mallow and me. And thus, we will both be perfectly comfortable.”

She still looked dissatisfied, but she didn’t press her point.

“I was reminded of the boys by the grandmother, so I have an ally there. Grannie Mallow is no rural witch but a lady of some stature. I’ll discover more when I have time. She said she fled her marriage, and someone in the inn said she was of noble birth. She’s certainly ill suited to Lavender Cottage.”

“Then she probably seeks improvement for herself, even at her granddaughter’s expense. And thus you are triumphant.”

“You sound as if you’d prefer that I fail.”

“I would.”

“Why?”

“Because your path always seems so smooth.”

“Dear lady, only because I take care to smooth it before I step forward. Giles Perriam pushed me onto a rough track lined with brambles, but now all is straight again.”

Perhaps she growled. “Oh, I do hope she says no.”

“And I hope you’re wrong. Tomorrow, I put it to the test.”

Ashart came in then, and Perry told the tale again. Ashart found it amusing but said, “If you’re going to be a landowner, you might want to accompany me on some business after dinner.”

“I intend that my wife manage the estate.”

“But you’ll want to supervise.”

Perry wouldn’t, but he didn’t argue the point. Riding around the Cheynings estate would be no penance. However, Genova’s reaction jangled in his mind. She still hoped for resistance, and he wanted the matter settled.

*  *  *

That evening, as they took coffee in the drawing room, Perry turned to Genova and said, “You mentioned wooing Miss Mallow.”

“And you rejected the very idea,” Genova pointed out.

“I’m reassessing.”

“Not so certain that Miss Mallow will sacrifice herself for the good of men?”

“I wish to ensure it, to persuade her that she, as well as her brothers, will benefit. Thus I will woo her, but not with trinkets and love poems. With samples of the pleasures to come.”

“Seduction in a cottage?” Ashart said, brows raised.

“There are other pleasures. I’ll seduce her with comforts she must be missing and luxuries she’s not yet known.”

“You are a devious man,” Genova said.

“You would condemn her to her dismal life?”

“Perriam . . . ,” Ashart warned.

Genova frowned, but in thought. “Am I doing that? It’s only that I resent her being manipulated by an expert.”

“To her own good. You’ll know better than I what a lady would value as samples of future comfort.”

“So now you seek to recruit me?”

“If she’s tempted, she’s tempted. If she truly doesn’t value comfort and earthly pleasures, she’ll disdain the bait.”

Genova looked at her husband. “What do you see as the right thing to do?”

“Miss Mallow’s current situation offers little hope. Perriam can provide better, though at some cost to himself.”

“Cost to himself?” she queried, surprised.

“By all we’ve heard, Miss Mallow comes from a dubious background. Her father may have been mad, and her mother was deranged by grief. Her aunt could have believed in witchcraft and certainly attempted a curse. Miss Mallow can be driven to a murderous rage and her grandmother dabbles in herbal lore. If she is, as Perriam said, highborn, what story brought her to the ramshackle cottage? She could be any kind of rogue and bring a new scandal into his family.”

“Why didn’t you point this out before?”

“It seemed obvious apart from the pistol. Add that a husband is legally liable for his wife’s debts and crimes and he’s paying a high price to keep an old estate in his family.”

Genova glared at Perry. “Am I now to see you as the victim? I hope she makes you thoroughly miserable.”

“Genova is nothing if not irrational in her passions,” Ashart murmured.

“Wretch. Very well, I will advise you, Perriam, but at a price.”

“Price?”

“If she agrees to marry you, I will be on her side. She’ll need assistance when moving so many steps up in society, and I’ll advise her on that. I’ll also make sure she knows her rights, such as they are. There will be settlements, sir, carefully written by Ashart’s lawyers.”

Perry smiled. No wonder Ashart had been smitten into marrying a woman without status or wealth.

“Of course. I truly do not wish Miss Mallow ill. I simply wish this done. May we act now? Will you help me assemble gifts that would tempt any woman down to Hades?”

“That,” said Genova, “is not a promising phrase. Let us at least aim at purgatory. For both of you.”