Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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СКАЧАТЬ why Gideon had wanted to marry the actress. She was everything that Dominique was not—tall, fair and beautiful—and no doubt well versed in the art of pleasing a man.

      All through the comic opera Dominique had thought about her. As the musicians played she had heard that dark, smoky laugh, remembered the graceful beauty, the cerulean-blue eyes and painted lips curving into an alluring smile. It was useless to remind herself that she was Gideon’s wife, the mother of his child. If his own father advocated taking a mistress, why should he not give in to the temptation?

      In the darkness of their carriage as they drove back to Chalcots he reached for her hand.

      ‘You are very quiet.’

      ‘I am fatigued. It has been a long evening.’

      ‘I hope you are not fretting about your cousin. Or Mrs Bennet.’

      ‘No, of course not.’ She was glad he could not see her face in the darkness. She added, unable to help herself, ‘She is very beautiful.’

      ‘Exquisite.’ Her heart sank. ‘But you have nothing to fear from her, Dominique. I have no intention of renewing that particular acquaintance.’

      Fine words, but would he be able to resist, having seen her again? Only time would tell.

      ‘Dominique?’

      ‘Yes?’

      ‘You do believe me, don’t you?

      ‘Yes. I believe you.’

      ‘That is good.’ He kissed her hand and squeezed it before letting it go so that he could put his arm about her. ‘If there is anything troubling you, anything at all, you must tell me. Do you understand?’

      She leaned against his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of him, the mixture of soap and clean linen and the faint spicy cologne he wore on his skin.

      ‘I understand.’

      But when they reached the house, he kissed her gently and left her at the bedroom door. As he always did.

      * * *

      Gideon found his wife very quiet the following morning and she did not greet him with her usual sunny smile. He poured himself a coffee and was debating whether to ask her what was the matter when the butler came in to tell him that the carriage had just returned from Brook Street.

      ‘Ah, yes, thank you, Thomas.’ Gideon put down his cup and addressed Dominique. ‘Rogers told me yesterday that he has a tenant for my father’s house, so I asked Mrs Wilkins to clear the rooms of all our personal effects and send them here. There should not be much, but perhaps you would like to tell the servants where you want everything stored?’

      ‘Yes, of course.’ She began to fold her napkin.

      Gideon raised his brows.

      ‘You do not need to dash off immediately, my dear. The luggage will wait.’

      ‘‘No, I—um—I have finished here, thank you. I shall deal with it now.’

      Gideon watched her go, a faint crease in his brow. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, but surely they were not caused by the events at the theatre, for he had reassured her that she had nothing to fear. Seeing Agnes on Max’s arm had been a shock, but Gideon was surprised at how little he now felt for the woman. Perhaps Dominique was fretting over the baby. He decided he would visit the nursery when he had broken his fast, but when he got there Nurse assured him that Baby James was giving no cause for concern. He went off to his study, still frowning.

      Was Gwen’s behaviour causing Nicky to be anxious? There was no doubt that his sister was playing a dangerous game with her flirts and cicisbeos. Gideon did not believe she had taken a lover, but if she meant to make Ribblestone jealous by her actions then he feared she would find herself far off the mark. They were dining at Grosvenor Square that evening, so perhaps he would take the opportunity to drop a word of warning in Gwen’s ear. Anthony was as easy-going as a man could be, but he would only stand her nonsense for so long. Gideon tried to think what he would do if Dominique were to tease him in the same way and was shocked at the anger that shot through him. He was obliged to push the idea away as he sat down at his desk and began to go through the post that Thomas had left there for him. If there was nothing urgent he would find Dominique and invite her to ride out with him. That might help to dispel whatever worries had driven the smile from her eyes.

      The pile of letters was small: a few tradesmen’s bills, a note from Rogers, confirming the arrangements for letting the house in Brook Street, and a small, sealed note that had been delivered by hand. He broke the seal and unfolded the paper, his jaw tightening as he read through the neatly written lines.

      * * *

      Dominique stood in the hall, looking at the boxes, bags and portmanteaux before her. She consigned them all to the attics, with the exception of the battered and corded trunk that Max had sent from Martlesham. Her eyes dwelled thoughtfully on the door to the oak parlour, where Gideon was finishing his breakfast, then with sudden decision she directed the servants to take the trunk to her bedchamber.

      * * *

      Mindful of the instructions in the letter, Gideon drove to Piccadilly and left Sam in charge of the curricle while he made his way on foot into Green Park. He strode quickly to the area between the reservoir and the Lodge and as he approached, a cloaked figure turned and he found himself looking into the beautiful face of Agnes Bennet.

      ‘We’d best walk on,’ she murmured. ‘It will look less suspicious if anyone should see us.’

      There was a flatness to her vowels that he had not heard before. She was no longer trying to pretend she was a lady.

      ‘You wanted to see me,’ he said, falling into step beside her.

      ‘Lord Martlesham ordered it.’ She met his sceptical glance and looked away quickly. ‘He threatened to break my arm if I did not do so. He wants me to make mischief between you and your wife.’

      ‘And do you think you can?’

      She shrugged. ‘I don’t even want to try. Making trouble between a man and his wife ain’t my style. Martlesham played you both false last year when he contrived your marriage.’ She paused. ‘I wasn’t easy about that, but if I hadn’t done it he’d have found someone else. And he was paying me so very well it was impossible to refuse. I thought it would be a little harmless jollity—’

      ‘Harmless!’

      She flushed.

      ‘I did not realise he meant to carry it through to a full marriage ceremony. When I heard—’ She looked up at him. ‘That was a cruel trick to play on you and on the young lady. I apologise.’

      ‘Is that why you wanted to meet, to salve your conscience with an apology?’ Gideon could not stop his lip curling in derision. ‘Is that the important matter you wanted to discuss?’

      ‘No! No, although I am glad of the opportunity to tell you I regret my part in the whole thing.’

      ‘What, then?’

      ‘I’ve information for you, about СКАЧАТЬ