Tempting Bella (Entangled Scandalous) (19 page)

Her blood iced. Intuitively, she understood this predatory creature had enjoyed carnal knowledge of her husband. “Is that so?”

“Yes, he wasn’t much more than a boy himself at the time. As you can imagine, Sebastian is not one for surprises; it upsets his sense of order.” She smiled. “I comforted him as best I could.”

Hot humiliation flooded her. Sebastian had discussed her with this woman. She could see them together in bed, mocking the homely child he’d been forced to marry. Doubt about his faithfulness rocked her. According to Josette, it was impossible for any man to go without a woman for an extended period of time. And Bella had been apart from him for years. Lady Hawke’s presence in his life would explain his prolonged lack of interest in other women. Perhaps Sebastian’s claim of years-long abstinence had been a ploy to get into her bed so he could meet the terms of the contract that required the begetting of an heir.

“There you are, Lady Mirabella. I’ve come to claim my dance.” Sebastian’s friend Penrose stood before her, offering his arm. “May I have the pleasure?”

She favored him with what she hoped appeared to be an effortless smile. “Of course.” To Lady Hawke, she said, “Do enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Penrose escorted her to the dance floor. “You should not pay heed to anything she says.”

“Beg pardon?” Numb with uncertainty, she moved into place in the ladies line.

The row of gentlemen opposite them bowed to the ladies, who curtsied in return as the music began. Moving into the dance, she stepped forward and placed one hand in his as they proceeded into a circle.

“Lady Hawke is not always entirely…reliable.”

Stepping back and sashaying forward again, they linked both hands and took a turn. “I see.”

Penrose’s eyes remained intent on hers. “She can be most indiscreet.”

Her heart dropped. Pen obviously knew Sebastian was sleeping with that ravening creature. His attempt to defend his friend only confirmed her worst suspicions. “Whatever could she have to be indiscreet about?”

“I’m sure I don’t know.” He cleared his throat. “Still, as such, it would be…unwise of you to heed her.”

They parted again and reunited. Shoulder to opposite shoulder, they curved a circle around each other. She fought to keep her voice even. “I assure you, I pay no heed to my husband’s indiscretions.”

His eyes darkened as each of them stepped back again. She moved through the dance steps like an automaton, a serene smile stamped on her face, even though her insides felt as if someone was hacking at them with a scythe. Stealing a look around the room, she wondered if any other women present had also been intimate with her husband. Down the line, she watched him dance with a lovely young girl with wheat-colored hair. The expression on the girl’s face— one of rapt admiration—was one Bella had seen before, on Louisa and the servant girl from Camryn’s townhome.

Penrose followed her gaze. “That is my sister, Adelaide. I assure you she’s harmless.”

“She’s a beauty.” She placed her gloved hand in his to follow the other couples promenading down the center. “Is Lady Adelaide betrothed?”

“Not as of yet. But she has taken well this season. My mother has high hopes.”

“I should have a care then, if I were you, not to leave her unattended with my husband.” She spoke the damning words lightly, as though Sebastian’s indiscretions did not matter in the least to her.

Surprise stiffened his features. “I trust Sebastian implicitly, most especially with Adelaide,” he said with icy courtesy.

“One can only hope your trust in him does not come at the expense of your sister’s reputation.”

He inhaled in obvious shock as they stepped away from each other. He bent in a bow, she in a curtsy, as the interminable dance came to an end. She cut a straight line for Orford who was busy charming a group of maidens. No surprise there. Despite his lack of fortune, Orford’s looks, easy charm, and connection to the duke would no doubt ensure he married well. But, for now, she needed him. “Come,” she said, taking his arm. “Let us go outside. I am in dire need of some air.”

More than one eyebrow lifted at Bella’s proprietary hold on Orford’s arm. “Lady Mirabella,” said one rather horse-faced young woman. “Surely you can spare us a handsome gentleman.”

The room—hot and airless—seemed to close in on her. “Of course. My husband is just over there. I can spare him, and I am certain he would be happy to oblige,” she said sweetly as she pulled Orford away.

He came willingly, surprised amusement lighting his face. “I, too, am always happy to oblige.”

“Good, I need to get out of here.” Her lungs felt paralyzed. Behind them, one of the harpies made a comment about “kissing cousins.” Thinly veiled snickers followed. She didn’t miss the way the eyes of many guests tracked their movement toward the terrace doors. Once through them, she paused to fill her lungs.

Orford frowned. “What is it? What’s amiss?”

“I just met Sebastian’s mistress.”

“Oh dear.”

“Yes, oh dear.” She hurried down the stairs. “As you can imagine, it was delightful.”

“Slow down,” he said, following her. “You’ll stumble over your gown. Where are we going?”

“Away from probing eyes. I’m tired of being stared at like a museum exhibit.”

“What is she like?”

“Who?” She eased her pace once they reached the darker reaches of the garden. “Oh, the mistress. Have you met Lady Hawke?”

His eyes widened. “Truly?” He gave a low whistle. “Lucky bastard. I’m impressed.”

She shot him a dark look. “You would be.”

“She’s a diamond of the first water. Any man would want to dock her.”

“You’re making me feel so much better.”

“Darling, I’m sorry he has hurt you so.” He took her hand. “Unfortunately, it is not uncommon. Many gentlemen have mistresses.”

She rubbed her throat, trying to ease the choking sensation. “I’m not going back in there. Take me home. I can’t abide being here a moment longer.”

He hesitated. “Everyone saw us leave the ballroom together. Tongues will wag.”

She gave a mirthless laugh at the hypocrisy of it. “Leaving with my cousin ignites a scandal, but it’s perfectly acceptable for my husband’s mistress to be in attendance this evening?”

“It is the way of things.”

“I don’t care.” She spotted the garden gate and started toward it. “Are you coming?”

“Gladly, darling.” Falling in step with her, he took her arm. “He’s a fool. If you were mine, I would never stray.”

“But she’s not yours.” A low-pitched voice that was dark with warning sounded behind them. “And she never will be.”

Chapter Thirteen

She spun around, her heart thrashing. Partially eclipsed by shadows, Sebastian stood with legs planted apart, his stance rigid.

Orford turned as well, in an utterly relaxed motion. “Stanhope.”

Ignoring Orford, Sebastian’s stony gaze fixed on her. “Going somewhere?”

She pulled her shoulders back. “Yes, we are leaving.”

“Through the back gate?”

“Bella is fatigued,” said Orford.

Sebastian’s eyes remained planted on her, their expression inscrutable. “I’ll gladly escort my wife home.”

“No need,” she said too quickly. “Orford is happy to oblige.”

“I’m sure he is. However, you are not departing through the back gate. Half the guests saw you leave the ballroom with him.”

Heat flashed in her chest, burning all the way up to her throat. “I see. The
appearance
of decorum is all that matters to you.”

“It will create a scandal, as you well know.”

“I don’t care.”

“I do.” He finally looked to Orford. “I should like to speak with Bella alone.”

Orford stiffened. “I will not desert a lady.”

“My wife is not alone. She is with her husband.”

Bella returned Sebastian’s obdurate gaze. “Do leave us, Orford. I should like to talk to my husband.”

“If you are certain.” Orford’s glance bounced to Sebastian and back to her. “Shall I stay out on the terrace in case you have need of me?”

“She won’t need you.”

Bella looked to Orford, favoring him with a tender smile that spoke of her fondness for him. “Thank you, dearest, but do go and rejoin the others. I’m certain your prolonged absence has disappointed the ladies.”

“If you are certain.”

“I am. This shan’t take long. I’ll join you presently.”

After Orford took his leave, Sebastian spoke. “Pen tells me you spoke with Lady Hawke.”

“Yes, I had a lovely conversation with your mistress.”

“You understand full well that she is not my mistress.”

“I know nothing of the sort.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Surely you won’t deny bedding her.”

“I have known her in that way, yes. But she is no longer my mistress.”

“What is she to you then?”

“She was my first experience in carnal matters. My only in fact.”

Air whooshed out of her lungs. She pointed toward the house, to where Lady Hawke prowled somewhere inside. “That predatory creature was your first woman? The only one you’ve—”

“Yes.”

“Impossible!”

“It’s the truth. She has been rather dogged in her pursuit recently.” His unwavering gaze held hers. “But, as I told you, the liaison ended once we married.”

He spoke with such earnestness, such certainty, that doubt nagged at her again. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

“I am a man of my word.”

Her heart pumped. She wanted to believe him. “Why do you leave the house at all hours of the night?”

His brow furrowed. “What does that have to do with…you think I go to a mistress?”

“If not Lady Hawke, someone else. If there is no ladybird, where do you go?”

“You will think it foolish.”

She arched a brow. “I doubt it can be as disagreeable as the thought of you dallying with another woman.”

“True enough.” He relaxed his stance. “Very well. I take exercise.”

“I was not aware the boxing and fencing establishments kept such irregular hours.”

“They don’t. I walk and sometimes I run.”

“Run?” She’d never heard of such a thing. “Where do you run to? Why do you not take your mount?”

Amusement glimmered in his eyes. “I don’t run anywhere in particular. The point is not the destination, it is in the running itself.”

She shook her head. “I don’t comprehend. What is the purpose?”

“It makes my blood pump through me, my heart races so hard it feels like it is going to burst.”

She grimaced. “That sounds dreadful.”

“At first it is, but it relieves my body of tension. It wears my physical body out in a positive way and brings me great relief.”

“Relief from what?”

“A man has certain…needs.” He cleared his throat. “With my wife abroad, I could not satisfy them in the usual manner.”

“Oh. I so want to believe you.”

Stepping closer, he cradled her face in his large, warm hands. “You must put your faith in me at some point, Mirabella.”

“I want to.” Emotion inflated her chest. Putting her hands over his, she savored their slightly roughened texture. “Trust doesn’t come easily for me.”

“I suppose I deserve that.”

“My father wagered me away, and then you left me to my own devices—”

“And once you came home, I was not exactly honest with you.”

“Most of the men in my life, who are supposed to have a care for me, have been…something of a disappointment.”

Taking a deep breath, he rested his warm forehead against hers. “I shall work hard to earn your trust. Will you give me the chance?”

She swallowed, trying to ease the ache in her throat. “I will try.”

“In the future, if you have concerns or suspicions, you must come directly to me for an explanation before assuming the worst.”

“Yes.”

“Do I have your word?”

“You do.” The secret bank account flashed through her mind. This was the moment to ask him about it, but then he kissed her and she forgot about everything except the way his warm tongue tasted against hers. Slipping her arms around his neck, she pressed against his muscled frame, feeling the strength of his arousal. All she could think about was making love with him again. “Sebastian?”

“Hmmm,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.

“Is taking exercise really how you have managed to go without a woman for six years?”

“That…and there are other ways a man eases his needs.”

Bella’s cheeks heated. “I see.”

His hands ran down the length of her back over the curve of her backside. “I doubt it,” he said against her lips.

“Josette was married. She is very French. And very free with her thoughts and knowledge on the subject of the marriage bed.”

“I see. What else does she say?”

“That I should go willingly to your bed. She felt certain you would acquit yourself well.”

“And what do you think?”

“That more experience is required to render a fair judgment.”