The Elusive Wife (21 page)

“You’re doing just fine, my lord.” She sighed, her bones liquefied. “I need you to fill me.”

“Very well.” Jason took possession of her mouth once again, and nudged her legs apart with his knee. She tasted herself on his lips, which sent blood rushing once more to her core. Slowly he entered her throbbing passage, expanding the wet and warm place, causing little mewing sounds to escape from her lips as he released her mouth. Jason nuzzled her neck, scattering kisses and whispering love words in her ear. His hips moved in rhythm, and she joined him in his thrusts. He rapidly moved in and out, his breathing increasing, sweat beading his forehead.

Olivia sensed her muscles begin to coil once more and reached desperately for what awaited her.

Jason shifted, so his body pressed on the spot that would bring her the most gratification. Within seconds her leg muscles clenched, and as if a dam had burst, waves of pleasure washed over her again. Jason gave one final thrust and groaned his release, pulling her close.

They lay spent in each other’s arms, breathing heavily. When the sweat on their bodies had dried and the air grew cool, Jason reached down and pulled a blanket over them both. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked at her.

“How anxious are you to return to London?”

“Not very.” She shifted and faced him. “Frankly, I’m tired of the social whirl. You may think me provincial, but I prefer the quiet life. Something I’m sure you do not favor?”

He tucked a curl behind her ear. “To the contrary. You by my side gives the provincial life a whole new meaning.”

“I would like to go through my father’s papers which are stored at Coventry Manor. I have no idea what to do with them. Perhaps donate them to the University of Milan. He worked so hard on his projects, I hate to see them go to waste.”

Jason pulled her to his chest, tucking her into his shoulder. “Then it is settled. We will return to Coventry Manor, and take up our life. You can join the sewing circle.” He looked down at her and grinned. “And I will be lord and master.”

He grunted when she elbowed him.

Soon Jason’s soft snores vibrated against her ear. Not tired enough to join him in slumber, her thoughts turned to their conversation.

He wants the provincial life? For how long? How soon will he find such a life, and me, wanting?

Once again doubts assailed her. She’d be a fool to trust his words. One of her teachers had drilled into his students the 16th-century French writer Michel de Montaigne’s famous quote, “
saying is one thing and doing is another
.” It would be good to remember that, and keep a careful eye on what Lord Coventry actually did.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Malcolm opened the front door before Olivia and Jason even left the carriage. The butler quickly descended the steps holding an umbrella. The rain had started sometime during the night, and appeared to have no intention of stopping.

“Good day to you, my lord, my lady.”

Olivia held her hand out to the footman and joined Malcolm under the huge umbrella, grateful for the protection from the chilled rain.

“Olivia, you go on ahead. I’ll make a dash for the door.” Jason gathered up his gloves and hat before stepping out. As soon as Malcolm and Olivia were at the door, he left the carriage and made a run for it.

“Oh, it feels so good to be out of that carriage.” Olivia turned as Malcolm helped her out of her coat. She glanced quickly in the mirror and after handing her hat to the butler, smoothed her hair down.

“My lady, may I suggest retiring to the drawing room, as there is a delightful fire burning there.” He helped Jason off with his coat and shook it out.

“That sounds wonderful. Could you please have Cook send in some tea?” Olivia rubbed her arms in an attempt to warm up.

Malcolm walked closer to Jason and lowered his voice. “My lord, your cousin, Sir Daniel Cavendish, is in residence. He arrived two days ago. Mrs. Watkins took the liberty of putting him in the green room in the west wing.”

Jason’s eyebrows climbed to his hairline. “Indeed? Where is he now?”

“He had breakfast some time ago, and I haven’t seen him since. I don’t believe he’s left the house, though. I assume he will be down for luncheon, which Cook will have ready shortly.”

“Oh, in that case, Malcolm,” Olivia said, “don’t trouble her to send in tea. I’ll just wait for luncheon.”

Olivia hugged herself.

“Have Cook send the tea anyway. Her ladyship is cold, and it will warm her up.” Jason placed his hand on Olivia’s lower back and led her into the drawing room.

The fire was indeed blazing, and she walked right up to it, extending her hands to warm them. She turned as she felt Jason put a shawl around her shoulders.

“You seemed surprised to hear your cousin is here. Do you not see him regularly?” Finally feeling a bit warmer, she sat in the chair in front of the fire. Jason walked to the sideboard and poured a brandy.

“I haven’t seen Sir Daniel in more than ten years.” He frowned and sat across from her, resting one booted foot on his bent knee. “His father and mine were brothers, his father being the second son.” He gazed into the glass. “Our fathers were never close. I think there was a great deal of resentment—why, I’m not sure, since every second son knows he won’t inherit.”

He leaned forward and regarded her. “There was a time when Sir Daniel’s father wanted to arrange a match between me and his daughter, Florence, but the old Earl wouldn’t hear of it.”

“Your cousin?” Olivia looked at him wide-eyed.

Jason’s jaw clenched. “Dear cousin Florence was an immature girl, anxious to be admired by one and all. She has since married Lord Donovan, and I’ve heard talk that he never leaves town that she doesn’t have another man warming her bed. I can’t imagine life with such a woman.”

She contemplated his words as Malcolm arrived with the tea cart. “Thank you so much, I really could use a cup of tea.”

Jason shook his head when Olivia indicated the tea pot to him. “Kind of you, my dear, but I prefer liquor to warm me up.”

“So tell me why you haven’t seen your cousin in more than ten years.”

“His father inherited a small estate from our grandmother. It was a profitable one—at least when he inherited—but in no time at all he ran it into the ground, and lost what profits it produced at the gaming tables.”

He placed the empty glass next to him. “That circumstance motivated the attempt to arrange a match with me and Florence. Uncle no doubt assumed the old Earl wouldn’t allow him and his family to be thrown into the street if his daughter married me.” He settled back in his chair. “Sir Daniel inherited nothing from his father, save his debts. He was knighted for some act of valor he performed for the government several years ago. The last I heard, he had sold the estate and left the country.”

He stood and paced. “I always expected him to apply to the old Earl for funds, but I suppose he knew better. The old Earl had no love for the father, nor the son who he considered a fop. I guess now that I’ve inherited, he’s here for that reason. Probably assumes I’m a lighter touch than my father.” Jason strolled to the window and gazed out, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Perhaps I should begin going through my father’s papers today.” Olivia sipped the tea and moaned as she closed her eyes in pleasure.

Jason made a small sound and when she opened her eyes he was staring at her, his eyes darkened. “I think after luncheon we should retire upstairs for a short nap. There is no better way to pass a rainy afternoon.”

The door to the drawing room opened and a man entered. Not as tall as her husband, he was nevertheless handsome in a different sort of way, but bore no resemblance to Jason. Sir Daniel was dressed in clothing that fit the definition of
dandy
. He wore a light blue coat with a purple waistcoat embroidered in silver. His pantaloons were black, his hessian boots most likely champagne polished.

“Cousin!” The man walked briskly over to Jason, his hand outstretched.

Jason moved forward and shook hands, and turned to Olivia. “My dear, may I present my cousin, Sir Daniel Cavendish. Sir Daniel, my wife, Lady Coventry.”

Olivia raised her hand which Sir Daniel took and kissed.

“It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He turned to Jason and smiled brightly. “I see your eye for beautiful women has not diminished with age, my lord. You wife is truly a diamond of the first water.”

“Would you care for a drink, Sir Daniel?”

“Yes, I would, thank you, cousin.” Sir Daniel settled in the chair across from Olivia that Jason had occupied earlier. “So tell me, my lady, where did Jason find you?” He viewed her through a quizzing glass.

Jason frowned at the man appropriating his chair, and took a seat on the settee, his arms crossed.

“Our fathers were friends. In fact, the late Earl was my godfather.” Olivia finished the last of her tea.

“Yes, cousin, I was truly sorry to hear of the Earl’s passing.” Sir Daniel shook his head and tsked as if the old Earl had been cut down in his prime.

Jason inclined his head as Malcolm entered the room and announced luncheon.

Sir Daniel quickly jumped up and held his arm out to Olivia. “Allow me to escort you, my lady.”

Jason’s jaw tensed and he rotated his neck as he sat at the head of the table. Sir Daniel held Olivia’s chair and then took the one across from her.

“Lord Coventry tells me he hasn’t seen you in a while, Sir Daniel.” She raised her spoon to her lips to take a sip of her pheasant soup. As wonderful as the food had been at the Markwick house party, Cook’s excellent soups had no equal. .

“Yes, that’s true, my dear. My cousin and I have not been close.” He looked at Jason and smiled. “I think there was some angst between our fathers, but I’ve never felt anything but high regard for his lordship.”

Jason continued to eat his soup, but eyed his cousin closely.

“After my own father passed, I spent time settling his matters, and then traveled to the continent. I spent a bit of time in Rome.”

Olivia looked up. “Rome?”

“Yes, my dear, it is truly a lovely city.” He placed his spoon next to his empty soup bowl and sipped his wine.

“That is incredible. I’ve lived the last several years in Rome. How wonderful to have someone to share memories with!”

“Did you now? What a coincidence. We must spend some time together while I am here to compare notes.” He removed a piece of salmon from the plate the footman offered.

The rest of the meal passed pleasantly with Olivia and Sir Daniel chatting about Rome. Jason remained silent and drank more than usual.

…

Jason checked his pocket watch again. “My dear, I believe you intended to take a short nap before dinner.”

They’d been sitting in the drawing room for more than two hours since luncheon. Sir Daniel and Olivia had rattled on and on, and Jason had grown weary of listening to them. He had more of the old Earl in him than he imagined. Sir Daniel was indeed a fop, just like his father before him. And if he didn’t stop touching Olivia’s hand as they spoke, the dandy would find himself on the floor, with blood running down his immaculate and intricately tied cravat.

Olivia turned to Sir Daniel. “I’m afraid his lordship is correct. I am weary from our travels and would like to take a short rest.”

His cousin immediately jumped up and bowed. “I am truly sorry, my lady, I shouldn’t have monopolized your time so.” He turned to Jason. “My lord, I will see you at dinner.”

He left the room, after placing a farewell kiss on Olivia’s hand. Jason stood and pulled her up. “My dear, I will escort you upstairs.”

Jason opened the door to Olivia’s bedchamber and followed her inside. She turned to him with a bright smile on her face. “Oh, it was so nice to talk with someone who is familiar with Rome.”

Jason snorted his opinion. “I don’t trust him.”

“Whyever not?” She frowned as she turned to allow him to unbutton the back of her dress.

“He’s a dandy, just like his father. The old Earl had no use for either of them and I see no reason to change that opinion.”

“That’s ridiculous,” she said, as she shrugged her shoulders so the gown slid to the floor.

“There’s something about him I don’t like.” Jason loosened his cravat and tossed it over a chair.

“What are you doing?” Olivia stood with her hands on her hips, regarding him with mirth-filled eyes.

“Preparing for a nap. Just as you are.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You are going to take a nap in the middle of the day?”

He walked over and slid down the straps of her chemise. “I might undress and join you in bed, but I’m not sure how much napping I will do.” He lowered his head and kissed her. She was all soft and warm, and tasted of honey from the tart she’d had at luncheon. Jason brought his hand up to cup her breast. With his other hand, he pulled her closer, showing her with his body how much he desired her. His dandy cousin might be able to talk to his wife about Rome, but when the door on her bedchamber closed, it was Jason who caressed her lush body.

…

Sir Daniel listened as the door to Olivia’s bedchamber closed. He gave dear cousin Jason a few minutes to become involved with what he’d referred to as a
nap
, and then he quietly stole back down the stairs.

Jason
. Just the name caused bitterness to rise in his stomach. The golden boy. Always a favored son, while Daniel, the heir of a second son, had been scorned by his father. Left to his own devices to make his way in the world after his sire had run through the little bit of inheritance he’d received. But did the old Earl help him out? No, indeed. When his father had applied to his older brother for a bit of funds, all he’d received for his trouble was a lecture on proper behavior and points on how to be a good steward. Well, he intended to make up for those slights. More than once while his father was in his cups he’d remarked on the will he was sure his own father had written, leaving him a vast fortune that his older brother, the Earl, had stolen. With the lord and lady of the manor occupied with their
nap,
he would continue the search he’d begun in their absence.

…

“Can I help you find something, Sir Daniel?”

Jason leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, his eyes boring into his cousin. Sir Daniel jerked and turned. He smiled, and climbed down the ladder. “I was looking for a book to pass the time, my lord.”

“Strange, that. With all the books in the library, you found it necessary to climb that far up to find reading material?” Jason regarded Daniel with raised eyebrows as he pushed away from the doorframe.

Sir Daniel pulled on the cuffs of his jacket and looked up at his cousin. “My tastes run very different than most. I was hoping to find something in Italian.”

Jason studied him for a minute.

“I congratulate you on your quick mind, cousin.” He strolled further into the room and looked around. “I’ve yet to hear why you have decided to deign us with your company. Your lively conversation with my wife ate up most of the time at luncheon and beyond.”

“You have a most charming wife, my lord, I must congratulate you again on your choice.”

Jason inclined his head and waited.

Sir Daniel cleared his throat. “I have always regretted our fathers’ distance from each other. Since you and I are both the only sons, I thought to breech that chasm.”

Jason raised his eyebrows. “Indeed. And why now?”

“With your father’s recent passing, I felt the need to connect with you once again. I’d hoped your father’s disregard for my sire and myself had not been passed along to you.”

“I know neither you nor your sire. I was still at University when I heard you had left the country. And I don’t remember more than one or two visits before that.”

“And I consider that a pity. Families should take care with each other.” As he spoke, Sir Daniel moved toward the door. “I think I will take a stroll in the gardens before dinner.” He bowed slightly and left the room. Jason stared at the closed door and ran his palm down his face.

Something smells off, and it just left the room.