But, of course, shed never been that woman, had she? The one occasion when shed believed a mans heart beat faster for her, hed disappeared from her life.
You havent changed a bit, Simon said without emphasis.
She didnt take that as a compliment, given how silly shed once been over him. Her eyes narrowed. Oh, yes, I have.
She studied his face, seeking clues to his intentions. Just how had Cam lured Simon home from his exotic pleasures? Her brother must have been persuasive. As far as she knew, Simon hadnt communicated with their family since the late duke had threatened him with ruin.
Now she thought about it, Cams purpose in making mischief was transparent enough. He considered Sir Grenville Berwick a self-righteous prig and hed frequently verged on quarreling with her over her choice of husband. Winkling Simon away from the fleshpots must be a last-ditch attempt to make her cry off her engagement. Surely her brother knew her better. She loathed the thought of setting tongues wagging, as she certainly would if she jilted a good man in favor of a rapscallion whose name was a byword for license.
And to what purpose would she take up with Simon? Although hed indicated news of her engagement had brought him here, he was hardly likely to want to marry her. No word since hed left and gossip about his numerous conquests put paid to any such foolish notion.
The only result Lydia could envision if she fell in with her brothers plans was her disgrace. Her brothers machinations seemed half-cocked, which was oddCam rarely did anything without plotting long in advance.
Lydia had no difficulty working out what Simon wanted from the scheme. To cause trouble. She read the old reckless enjoyment of mayhem in his glittering blue eyes as she faced him down with what she prayed was a dismissive expression. Nor was he averse to the idea of a flirtation; shed been out in society for nine years, and immediately recognized that particular light in a gentlemans glance.
May I request the pleasure of this dance? Simon asked with a charming smile that had her on guard immediately.
I already have a partner, she said coldly.
Thats me, Cam pointed out cheerfully, interrupting his conversation with Grenville to prove that hed always been alert to what Simon and Lydia said to each other. Your brother is happy to step aside in favor of an old chum.
The most bizarre element of Cams conniving was that he flirted so heedlessly with scandal. Camden Rothermere always trod carefully, as if to prove that he was a man of unwavering principle and decorum, whatever the circumstances of his birth.
Lydias glare branded her brother a traitor. Shed have plenty to say to him after the ball. He shrugged with a hint of apology that didnt mollify her at all.
Gritting her teeth and consigning all Derbyshire men to Hades, she turned to Grenville. At her side, she sensed Simons avid interest in her interactions with her fiancé. She fought back the urge to jab her childhood love with her elbow and tell him to take himself and his curiosity elsewhere. Preferably Outer Mongolia.
Grenville, weve hardly spoken a word to one another all evening. Im sure Mr. Metcalf will renounce his claim.
Id hoped to discuss Grenvilles plans for the next session in the Commons. With unlikely enthusiasm, Cam clapped his hand on Grenvilles stocky shoulder. No chance now to divert her betrothed, curse her brothers stratagems.
My love, His Graces interest could be vital. Grenvilles eyes brightened at the prospect of enlisting Cams political influence. Lydia had never deceived herself that at least part of her appeal to her fiancé was her kinship to a major powerbroker. You go and enjoy yourself.
In that case, this dance is mine. Simons hand snaked out to circle her arm in a ruthless grip. Had she imagined that hed become unnaturally still when Grenville called her his love? Surely she had. Simon had never been the jealous type. She couldnt picture him getting het up about a woman hed known a decade ago.
Quickly her eyes raked the room. To her surprise, the reunion of rakish Simon Metcalf and punctilious Lydia Rothermere hadnt created a stir. She had no wish to alter that state of affairs by making a scene, so with ill grace, she nodded. Very well.
Chapter 2
Lydia had become so involved in her unspoken battle with Simon that she hadnt paid attention to the music. She would have preferred to hear a cotillion, which presented little opportunity for private conversation. But the tune playing now was undoubtedly another waltz.
Your enthusiasm warms my heart, he said drily, stepping closer. In comparison with Grenville who only had an inch or twos advantage on her, Simon seemed dominatingly tall.
I can imagine, she snapped, even as her own heart skipped a beat when he slipped one hand around her waist and took her hand firmly in the other.
His touch shouldnt still retain this power. Not after ten years. But every inch of her skin prickled with response. She drew herself up to her full height and regarded him with what she hoped was cold indifference.
I see you still favor roses. His blue gaze rested on the flowers in the elaborate coronet of braids. No matter where I went, whenever I saw roses, I thought of you. Do you remember I gave you a rose on that last day?
Did you? I dont recall. She lied, but he provoked her pride, pretending he still cared. Did he imagine he merely needed to smile and ask her to dance to turn her back into a complete henwit? Her voice hardened. Just what asinine caper are you and Cam up to?
Up to? he asked with theatrical innocence as he swept her into a turn that left her dizzy.
The moment shed glimpsed him on the staircase, the wall of glass between her and the rest of the world had shattered. Ten years without seeing him and still he made her heart sing. It was absolutely unacceptable. She would not tumble back into infatuation with this intriguing scoundrel. Hed left her without a word and had spared her nary a word since. And she was betrothed to a worthy man who deserved her loyalty.
The reminder of her duty made her straighten a backbone that showed a lamentable tendency to bend in Simons direction. Dont play games.
To his credit, he didnt pretend to misunderstand. Cam thinks youre making a mistake.
The handsome face above hers had settled into uncharacteristic austerity. Hed been a lighthearted, easygoing young man. That was one of the reasons shed loved him. For all its luxury, life at Fentonwyck had been bleak, even before her mothers death when Lydia was ten. Simon came from a large, loving family where nobody scrutinized the childrens every move for the risk of the worlds disapproval.
Cam has no right to interfere, she said sharply. And neither do you.
Consider it a privilege of old friendship.
Dead friendship. She told herself that the description roused no pang. If you expect to call on our childhood affection, you should have dropped me the occasional note.
Now your father has passed on, it was safe to come back.
Oh, valiant, she said sarcastically. In spite of their argument, their bodies moved in perfect accord. She followed each subtle nudge of Simons lead as if theyd danced together a thousand times. The heat of his touch throbbed through her blood like a symphony.
Now your father has passed on, it was safe to come back.
Oh, valiant, she said sarcastically. In spite of their argument, their bodies moved in perfect accord. She followed each subtle nudge of Simons lead as if theyd danced together a thousand times. The heat of his touch throbbed through her blood like a symphony.
His expression turned wry. Leaving seemed the best solution back then. You know the duke would have ruined the Metcalfs if Id so much as squeaked in your direction after he caught us kissing.
Theyd veered close to doing more than kissing, she recalled with renewed mortification. Her father had been so livid to catch his daughter offering her maidenhead to a penniless commoner that hed threatened Simons family. As Duke of Sedgemoor, he was capable of destroying a mere knight, even if the Metcalfs had held estates in Derbyshire since the Norman Conquest.
My fathers plans didnt include marrying me to a man without title or fortune.
An uncharacteristic expression of guilt settled on Simons spectacular features. Nonetheless, I hope youll accept my condolences on his passing. Ive been out of touch with affairs in England or Id have written at the time.
And of course my fathers death five years ago was the only matter you could possibly want to communicate about.
He winced under her gibe. I hadnt played the man of honor with you. I should have stayed to protect you from your fathers temper.
You tried. To be fair, he had. Hed stood up to the duke until six stout stable hands had hauled Simon away, still protesting that Lydia bore no fault for what had happened.
Without succeeding. Was it very bad?
Yes, it had been awful. Unbearably, excruciatingly awful. Her stomach still tangled into knots at the memory. For the only time in her life, her father had beaten her. But worse than the physical pain and humiliation had been the prospect of never seeing Simon again. I learned the error of my ways.
I thought you might. I tried to as well. Then, when I finally mustered courage to ask some stray travelers about you, the gossip was that you were to marry Leath.
Startled, she tripped. Only Simons quickness saved her from an embarrassing tumble. Dear Lord, shed have to pay for dancing lessons at this rate, or warn any partner he risked his toes when he stood up with her.
My father wanted the match. But she hadnt. The only man shed wanted to marry had been kicking his heels on the Continent by that stage.
Even if you hadnt agreed to marry the Marquess of Leath, I knew there would be a line of men begging for your hand. I was astounded when I received Cams letter saying youd waited so long to make your choice.
I She swallowed and stared directly into his eyes. I found it difficult to trust any man.
Shocked, she watched the color leach from his skin and a stricken expression darken his blue eyes. His manner lost its taunting edge. Im sorry, Lydia. More sorry than I can say.
Hostility was easier to bear than pity. She couldnt endure this sense that he saw into her soul to all the loneliness and longing and rage there. She blinked to clear the mist of tears from her eyes and forced a cheerful reply. Its all for the best, anyway.
Is it? he asked and a shiver ran through her at the dangerous rawness in his question. After a bristling silence, he went on, his voice returning to lightness. Whatever your marital plans, I assumed that after Id led you into such a compromising situation, youd never want to speak to me again.
I didnt. Yet another lie. She paused and went on with a bitter edge and perfect sincerity. I dont.
His hand tightened around her waist and he drew her closer. She tensed to prevent her body meeting his. The gossip shed heard over the years about his wildness indicated that he wouldnt balk at creating a public fracas to break her engagement.