The Earl's Scandalous Wife Read online

  He escorted her back into the ballroom and invited Nate for a game of chess. He pretended he didn’t notice the way she scanned the ballroom, her hand gripping his arm with more force than necessary. Her brother was lurking around somewhere among the people who were in the room, but he figured if he was with her, her brother would stay away.

  It wasn’t until they were in the carriage that she seemed relieved. “I’m sorry,” he told her as the coachman led the horses forward.

  “What do you have to be sorry about?” she asked, turning her attention away from the small window where she had a good view of the place they’d just left.

  Curious, he looked out the window. Was she watching to see if someone followed them?

  “Perry?”

  He turned his attention back to her when he was assured that no one had. “I didn’t realize your brother would be here tonight, though I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. It’s just that in all the times I’ve been to balls, I didn’t pay much attention to the gentlemen in attendance. I knew some who went,” he quickly clarified, “but I was more interested in the ladies.”

  “A bachelor is apt to pay more attention to the ladies.”

  With a chuckle, he drew her into his arms. As he expected, the tension left her body. Who knew touch could have such a powerful affect on someone? Cupping the side of her face in his hand, he lowered his head and brought his lips to hers. Even after reading that book Christopher saw fit to give him, he had been too shy to be bold enough to initiate a kiss that was going to lead to more once they got home, but after discovering how much she needed him to be physically intimate with her, all awkwardness about it had departed. Their lovemaking was much more than a way of receiving pleasure. It was the best way he could love her. And he didn’t need a book to tell him that.

  By the time the carriage came to a stop, he was caressing her breasts. Too late did he think through the implications of letting himself get so aroused outside the bedchamber. He pulled away from her and cleared his throat, aware of the heat rising up in his face. If he wasn’t careful, the coachman would know what they were doing.

  “We’ll resume this in your bedchamber,” he told her.

  He grabbed the cane and focused on its smooth, cool handle, thinking that should help get his mind off the bedchamber, but it wasn’t working. Even now, he could feel the soft curve of her breasts and the way her nipples hardened beneath her dress. This was a good reason why he shouldn’t be kissing and fondling her while they were away from home.

  She touched his arm, an action which didn’t really help the situation. “Is something wrong? Did you want to go back to the ball?”

  “No, I want to be with you.” Then, clearing his throat, he added, “A little too much at the moment.”

  Her gaze lowered. “Oh, I see.” She removed her hand from his arm. “Think of one of your favorite chess maneuvers or the Corn Laws you and Nate were discussing.”

  That was a good idea. Why didn’t he think of it? He decided to figure out what strategy he’d use when he and Nate played chess. The coachman opened the door and helped her out. Perry stepped out next, thanked him, then led her up the stairs. It wasn’t until the footman opened the front door that he wondered how Paula knew how he could quickly get rid of his erection. It wasn’t like he had needed to do that before.

  “Is there anything you need, my lord?” the footman asked him.

  Perry considered telling him to tell his valet and her lady’s maid that they were home but decided against it. Paula was standing closer to him than she needed to be, and he sensed that whatever her brother told her tonight was still bothering her. Even if she didn’t want to talk about it, she wanted to be with him. And quite frankly, he’d never deny her anything.

  “Not tonight, thank you,” he told the footman.

  Clasping her elbow, Perry led her up the stairs. He could ask her how she knew what to do in the carriage, but the time wasn’t right. Whatever the reason, she’d been faithful to him, and he had no doubt she always would be. Perhaps she had a book similar to the one he did, except instead of describing the female body, hers described the male’s body. He wouldn’t put it past Christopher to send her such a book, though he doubted even Christopher would do it in person. Knowing him, he’d do it anonymously. One nice thing about being in the country, his cousin wouldn’t be meddling in his life for a few months.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t ask for your lady’s maid,” he said when they reached the top of the stairs.

  “It’s fine, Perry. To be honest, I’d rather undress myself tonight.”

  “Oh, well, I was hoping to do that part for you.”

  Her lips curled up at his teasing tone. “I’ll never turn down the offer for you to undress me.”

  Pleased his bold move had paid off so well, he guided her to her bedchamber and made love to her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next day, Paula went to Mister Williams’ house, and after she explained to him that she needed an inkwell that looked just like the one he’d made for Nate and Claire, she clasped her reticule as she waited for his response. The fewer questions he asked, the better, though he was bound to be curious about her request.

  “I don’t make the same thing twice,” he replied, handing her a cup of tea.

  She settled back in her chair and scanned the drawing room with its shelves of projects he was working on. “But Lord and Lady Roderick gave my husband the inkwell as a gift. Since it’s for my husband, I don’t see how it makes any difference if you make another one.”

  “What happened to the one your husband had?”

  She was afraid he’d ask that question. With a sigh, she said, “He doesn’t know what happened to it.” At least that was true.

  “Do you know what happened to it?”

  Drats! Why couldn’t he make this easy? “If you’ll keep the matter a secret, I’ll tell you the truth.” She waited until he gave a slight nod then continued, “I was the one who lost it. I didn’t realize its worth at the time and assumed it held no sentimental value. Please don’t make my husband pay for a mistake I made.”

  He pushed his spectacles up his nose and finished his tea. “I gather that by ‘lost’, you mean you gave it to someone else?”

  “You would be right.” She forced her tone to remain pleasant despite her unease. It wasn’t good that he was so perceptive. Other gentlemen would have brushed off the matter as one of those mindless things ladies did. But not this one. He had an uncanny way of seeing beneath the exterior to find out what was really going on. “I’ll give you double what Lord and Lady Roderick gave you,” she added, hoping that would sweeten the deal for him so he’d have to agree to it.

  “It’s not a matter of money, Lady Clement.” He rose to his feet and turned to the inkwells, cups, dolls, and other knickknacks he was making. “I enjoy what I do, and I already have more than enough money to keep me satisfied for years to come. The thing is that each work is a unique creation. I can’t guarantee the inkwell will be precisely like the one I already made.”

  Deciding not to make a pretense of drinking her tea, she set the cup down and watched him while he ran his fingers along one of the bases of an inkwell. “I can describe the inkwell to you.”

  “Oh, I remember what it looked like. I still have the notes I took from Lord and Lady Roderick when they ordered it.” He tapped the ledge of the shelf and stepped over to his desk where he opened a drawer. “I take it you regret ‘losing’ the inkwell a great deal.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You love your husband?”

  Her gaze met his and she nodded. “With all my heart.”

  To her surprise, his face relaxed and he smiled. “A rare thing it is, indeed, when a wife can say that.” He rummaged through his drawer then put a piece of paper on his desk. “All right, my lady. Your love is an inspiration in itself. I will make the inkwell. Come by in three days and I’ll have it ready.”

  “Thank you.�
� Relieved, she stood up and opened her reticule.

  “Pay me when you receive it,” he argued. “I will only ask the same as what Lord and Lady Roderick paid for it. And,” he came over to her, “I won’t speak a word of this to anyone.”

  She closed the reticule. “Thank you, Mister Williams. I appreciate it.”

  He saw her to the door and stopped her as the butler opened it. “Be sure you keep loving him. A husband needs his wife’s love, often far more than she realizes.”

  “There will never be a day when I won’t love him.”

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Clement.”

  Had she not been so relieved that he had agreed to make the inkwell, she might have questioned his odd words. But then she figured it was Mister Williams’ business what he meant. And she hadn’t lied to him. She did—and always would—love Perry. There would never be anyone else. A couple years ago, she wouldn’t have believed she’d ever fall in love again, but now that she had, she knew she was much better off with the way things turned out.

  She left Mister Williams’ residence and made it several blocks when a familiar voice called out her name. Her steps slowed when she realized it was Stewart. As much as she wanted to keep walking, she knew she had to wait for him to catch up to her.

  “What a lovely day to be outside,” he said. “I will say, though, that I didn’t think I was going to see you twice in one day.”

  “Is the pocket watch already boring you?”

  “Oh, on the contrary.” He pulled it out and inspected it. “I can’t recall the last time I saw anything so divine. Who knew you had such good taste? I should have taken you shopping with me in the past.”

  She decided not to comment. The point was, she’d given it to him on her way to Mister Williams’ and now could be done with it. “I’m glad you approve.”

  She took a step away from him, but he said, “I notice you have a reticule with you.”

  Frowning, she fell into step beside him. “It’s not uncommon for ladies to carry a reticule.”

  “No, it’s not, but it is often a sign that they have some money in their possession.”

  So that was the matter of it. Had she known that, she would have tucked the reticule under her shawl. But it probably wouldn’t have made any difference. Her brother would’ve found a way to mention money. She glanced around to make sure no one she knew was in sight before pausing by a bench. “I have two pounds.”

  “That’ll suffice.” He held his hand out and wiggled his fingers.

  She pulled the money out of her reticule and gave it to him.

  He slipped it into his pocket. “For now.”

  “Pardon?”

  “That will suffice for now. I’m going to require more. After all, I do have a long and cold winter to get through. I wager you and your husband will be going to the country?”

  “Yes,” she hesitantly replied, praying he wouldn’t insist on going to Perry’s estate.

  “In that case, I need a little bit more to get me by.”

  “How much more?”

  “Fifty pounds.”

  “Fifty pounds?” Just how was she going to come up with that much when she already bought a pocket watch and saved money for the inkwell?

  “You don’t want me to live like a pauper while you’re gone, do you? Unless, of course, you’re willing to extend an invitation for me to stay with you and your besotted husband?”

  “I’ll get you the fifty pounds,” she blurted out.

  His smile widening, he pointed to her. “I knew I could count on you. There’s a ball next week. It’ll be the last one Lord Reddington will give this year. You’ll like going there, Paula. They have a chandelier lit with a hundred candles. It’s impressive. And don’t get me started on his taste in music.”

  “All right, I’ll be there.”

  “With the fifty pounds?”

  She nodded. This would be the last thing she’d have to give her brother this year. After this, she could go to the country and enjoy some peace.

  “Good,” her brother said. “I’ll send you a missive to let you know where to meet me at the ball. We don’t want that husband of yours to find out what we’re up to, do we?” He winked then headed down the street.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. She wouldn’t cry. Yes, she was lying and stealing from Perry, but she kept telling herself it was because she loved him. If she didn’t keep telling herself that, then she’d have to admit she was only making things worse, adding to her list of sins. Releasing her breath, she resumed her walk down the street.

  ***

  Perry was reading a book when he heard the front door open. Smiling, he put it on the small table next to the chair and grabbed his cane. He made it to the doorway in time to see Paula heading up the stairs.

  “I have good news,” he called out.

  She stopped and turned to him. “Good news?”

  He waved her down. “Come to the drawing room. I’ll have the butler bring some tea and scones. Unless you want to go for a walk?”

  “No. I’ve had enough of walking today.”

  She descended the steps, her beauty making him think of an angel coming down from Heaven. He held his hand out to her. “I think you’ll like what I’m going to tell you.” After she took his hand, he told the butler to bring them some refreshments and led her to the drawing room. Once she was sitting beside him on the settee, he realized she didn’t have new gloves. “You couldn’t find the pair you wanted?”

  “The pair I wanted?”

  “You went out to get gloves.”

  “Oh. Oh, yes. I did say that.” With an uneasy smile, she shrugged but averted her gaze so she didn’t have to look at him. “It’s as you said. I couldn’t find a pair I wanted.”

  She was lying. She didn’t leave the townhouse with the intention of buying a new pair of gloves. As much as he wanted to ask her about it, something told him that wasn’t the best thing to do. She was scared. Anything he’d do to get the information out of her would only make her retreat. Despite her bravado of going up to him and kissing him without knowing him, she was like a scared rabbit who was hiding in its hole. The question was, of course, who was chasing her. Perhaps her brother? If he had to guess, that would be his first choice. And it made perfect sense when he remembered how she was at the ball. That being the case, she would be especially relieved when she heard the news.

  The butler came in and set the tray of tea and scones down. “Will there be anything else, my lord?”

  “No,” he replied. “Please shut the door on your way out.” He waited until the door clicked into place before he poured tea into their cups. “We’ll leave for Blackburn in two days.”

  “Your country estate?”

  He gave her a cup and chuckled. “Our country estate. It’s as much yours as it is mine.”

  “I never told you, but I like the name.”

  “I can’t take credit for it. My great-great-grandfather named it.”

  She traced the handle of her cup with her thumb. “Um…is it possible to leave later? Like maybe in a little over a week?”

  “I thought you were anxious to leave London.”

  “I am but,” she sipped some tea, “I hear Lord Redd…Redd…” She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “It ends with a ‘ton’.”

  “Lord Reddington?”

  “Yes, that’s who it is. I hear he’s having this ball and someone told me it’s worth going to. He has a magnificent chandelier and has good taste in music. I thought it’d be a good idea to go there before we leave.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her if her brother was the ‘someone’ who told her this but he managed to refrain. If he attended the ball, he’d track her brother down. And if her brother wasn’t there, then he’d know something else was amiss. “All right,” he finally agreed and picked up a scone.

  “All right?”

  Noting the tentative question in her voice, he smiled at her. “We’ll go to Lord Redding
ton’s ball. Afterwards, we’ll go to Blackburn.”

  She bit her lower lip. “You don’t mind?”

  “No, I don’t mind. Paula,” he placed a comforting hand on the small of her back, “how many times do I have to say that you can tell me anything? I promise I won’t cast you out.”

  Though she returned his smile, he sensed she didn’t fully believe him. Whatever was holding her back must be serious. If only he knew what he might have said or done that made her worry so needlessly, he’d rectify it. But without knowing, he couldn’t really do anything but watch and wait. Sooner or later the matter would come to light. Christopher had gotten into enough trouble to prove the truth in that sentiment. All he needed was to be patient. When the time came to act, he’d know.

  He leaned toward her and brushed her cheek with his lips. “If I recall right, Lord Reddington does bring in an orchestra that plays some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. It’ll be a nice way to end our time in London. Now, I was thinking we should go to a dressmaker. You’ll need better clothes for the upcoming cold weather than the ones you currently have.”

  “Certainly shopping for ladies clothes will bore you.”

  “Nonsense. I’ll be with you.”

  “I would like to spend the time with you.”

  “Good. Then it’s agreed.” He gave her a kiss. “We’ll have a good afternoon.”

  She nodded and drank more tea, finally looking relaxed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Four days later, Paula held her breath while the merchant inspected her necklace. It had to have been worth at least fifty pounds.

  The merchant’s gaze went up from the necklace. “Twenty pounds,” he said.

  Her smile faltered. “I know for a fact it’s worth more than that. My father gave it to me from a wealthy widow.” Never mind what he had probably been doing with the widow to get the necklace. “I’d say a fair price would be fifty pounds.”