Kitabı oku: «Debutantes Don't Date»

To Gramma Lee, for inspiring me to write in the first place.

To Carl Block and Doug Moss, for the motivation to follow my dream.

And to Mick, because I love you.

Chapter One

The Duke and Duchess of Kensington’s Manor

New Year’s Eve

London, 2013

“For crying out loud, woman, take a break already! This party’s not going to come apart if you take ten minutes.”

Grace Lancaster’s headset vibrated with her boss’s gruff voice. There was so much to do before midnight; she really didn’t want to stop. She knew from experience that as soon as she did, some disaster would strike. And with this being the biggest account she’d ever handled, she couldn’t afford to listen to her boss’s advice. And why did he always yell into his headset microphone? He did the same thing with his cell phone; it drove her absolutely nuts. She reached up, turned down the volume and rehearsed a little lie in her head before responding.

“Thanks, Ron. I’ll take a break after I do one more check around the room. Oh and Jane,” she said to her assistant through her headset, “could you check the refreshment room for me? A little old lady told me the crab cakes have run out; we have to keep to the theme so we need them. And the Duke wants to speak to you, Ron. He mentioned something about a bonus.”

She knew the mention of a bonus would keep Ron off her back for a little while, and that part wasn’t a lie; neither was the thing about the crab cakes. It was just in the part about taking a break that she stretched the truth. She watched the crowd flow around her. They were all dressed in costumes from the Regency era. The Kensington Kings and Queens New Year’s Eve Ball was an annual event and this year’s theme was the early 1800s. The Duke and Duchess of Kensington had been putting this ball on for generations. In fact, the ball itself dated back to the Regency period. Of course then it wasn’t a charity event, but a ball for high society, all the Lords and Ladies of the ton would vie for an invitation. Nowadays, you had to pay for the privilege of attending, and it wasn’t cheap: at over £3,000 a plate, the charity that was supported always made a hefty profit for the night.

Surprisingly, Grace was able to take a quick break just before midnight; she figured she might as well take one now as getting one after 2014 rolled in would be impossible. She grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it quickly before replacing her glass with another. The bubbles tickled as they slid down her parched throat. She didn’t usually drink and she definitely didn’t like sparkling wine, but she was so thirsty she couldn’t help but have another glass. She could feel the alcohol make its way through her bloodstream. She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes for a moment to relax.

She felt a bit ridiculous dressed in full costume of Regency England, especially with her event manager’s headset on, but then again everyone else was dressed up so she fitted in with the rest of them. There were even several Prinnys, the Prince Regent, present, all dressed as flamboyantly as possible. She thought she looked quite respectable with her simple but elegant dress. She loved the puffed sleeves and high waistline. The style suited her body type and she was happy she’d found this costume yesterday at a second-hand store. It was too bad she couldn’t wear this kind of clothing every day instead of her business suit and stilettos.

She reached up and took her headset off for the first time in seven hours. As she set it on the small table next to her, she noticed something sparkling on the floor under the table. She bent down to pick it up. She didn’t have anything sparkly on her costume so it must have fallen off someone else’s dress. She would put it in her bag and take it to the Duchess in the morning. Just as her fingers clasped the object, the power cut out and the room plunged into darkness. Amid the screams she could hear the clock striking twelve.

***

The Duke and Duchess of Kensington’s Manor

New Year’s Eve

London, 1813

Lady Anne Higgins waited beside her mother, Lady Alderton, for Lord Bingham to come and escort her for a set. Her mother had already turned away three suitable gentlemen in her confidence that Lord Bingham would walk her out for the first dance. Lady Anne didn’t think he was even here yet.

“Anne, darling,” said her mother in a low voice, “I heard a rumour today from Lady Bishop that Lord Bingham is planning on speaking with your father tomorrow to ask for your hand. About time he did. I can’t understand why he didn’t ask for your hand when you first came out. He does need an heir, as we all know, and it has been arranged, I just don’t see why there is the delay.”

“Really, mother, I don’t see how Lady Bishop would know if or when Lord Bingham is going to marry.” Lady Anne turned her head and tried to pretend she was somewhere else.

“Of course he is going to marry, darling. He can’t make you wait much longer. It is your third season after all. He won’t want to wait until you are too old to bear children, so it must be soon that he will ask.” Lady Anne knew her mother was getting nervous for her. If Lord Bingham didn’t offer for her soon, she would be on the shelf and then she would never attract a suitable husband. “Where is that man? He should be here to escort you to the floor.” Lady Alderton craned her neck around trying to see if her future son-in-law was anywhere to be seen. “Oh, here comes your brother.”

Lady Anne watched as her brother, Robin Higgins, Baron of Wester, came towards them. Even though he was dressed in the latest fashion, he looked bedraggled as though he had been in a scuffle. He didn’t appear to be bleeding or bruised, so he couldn’t have been fighting. Besides he wouldn’t have wanted to mess up his pretty face, she thought cynically, he had probably just been drinking again at his club. She loved her brother dearly, but she knew he wanted something otherwise he would never seek her and their mother out.

“Hello, fair ladies. You are shining more brightly than any other belle here tonight.” Robin bowed formally over each of their hands before flashing his signature smile at them. “I was hoping you’d saved me a dance, dear sister. What do you say? Will you twirl around the floor once with your dear older brother?”

Lady Anne smiled in spite of herself. He was always able to charm her. “Of course, dear brother, I would like nothing more.” She placed her gloved fingers on his arm and followed him out onto the dance floor where the other dancers were waiting for the set to start, glad at least to be away from her mother.

“I needed to get you away from mama. I have a favour to ask,” Robin whispered in her ear just as the music started so that she spent the rest of the dance waiting for the inevitable. Just as she thought, he wanted something.

As the dancers caught their breath, Robin whisked her out the door into the garden. “Follow me, Anne. We won’t be disturbed down here.” Anne followed closely, trying not to trip on a wayward branch or stone. It was dark in the garden and cold. She shivered and regretted not being able to retrieve her wrap before venturing outside. His Grace should invest in some more lights. Maybe she should mention it to the Duchess next time she saw her, although she supposed that the dark corners of the garden provided some privacy for couples seeking some air.

Anne’s thoughts about lights and dark garden corners disappeared when Robin opened his mouth. “I have decided when Lord Bingham marries you, I’ll put half of your monthly allowance into investments on your behalf.” He held his hand up and waved it around when she opened her mouth to protest. “Now now, don’t thank me. It’s the least I can do for my little sister. I wouldn’t want to see you not being looked after when you leave father’s care, now would I? I’ve already had my man draw up the papers. I’ll bring them around first thing in the morning for you to sign. Well, maybe not first thing, eh? I think that I will go off to my club and celebrate your good fortune. Take care, sis.” Before Anne could say anything at all he kissed her cheeks and turned and walked away from her. He left her alone in the garden! He was going to invest her money was he? She’s like to see him try! He must have run out of money again. He was always living far above his means. Father had cut him off last year after having to bail him out one too many times. Now he was after her money! It wasn’t as though Lord Bingham wouldn’t look after her himself. And besides, she had plans for that income. Oh, he made her so mad!

Lady Anne looked around her. It was so dark in the garden she could barely make out the path back to the house. Wonderful! She’ll probably twist her ankle heading back.

Jasper Mossman, Earl of Bingham, surveyed the room. He wasn’t sure why he was even here tonight. He’d already picked the next Countess. He just hadn’t informed the lady as yet.

The ball was a huge crush. He could barely move for all the people here. Invitations to the Duke and Duchess of Kensington’s New Year’s celebrations were always coveted by the ton. As an earl, he of course was invited. One did not forget to invite Lord Bingham to events. Mothers were always in high hopes of their daughters becoming the next Countess.

Jasper could see Lady Anne Higgins standing next to her mother on the outskirts of the dance floor, more than likely waiting for him to escort her out for a set. She was lovely with her blonde curls and flowing dress, a smile always on her lips. Her mother? Lady Alderton waved enthusiastically in his direction. Jasper turned in the other direction. If it wasn’t for her mother, he would have asked for Lady Anne’s hand by now. He just couldn’t endure that woman. He shuddered at the prospect of having her as a mother-in-law. Maybe he could move Anne and himself to the estate in the country, that way her mother wouldn’t visit that often…but then again when she did visit, she would stay for days, weeks or months even. Umm, maybe they could move to the Americas. God, it was giving him a headache and he hadn’t even married the girl yet.

Ah, there was Eaglestone coming through the door now. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be an absolute bore after all. Jasper watched his friend Philip Blade, Baron Eaglestone make his way down the congested steps into the ballroom until a loud collective gasp across the room caught his attention.

What the devil? He turned towards the commotion near the refreshment room. Some silly chit was making a spectacle of herself; her skirt was almost up to her waist! And it didn’t appear as though anyone was coming to her rescue.

“What’s the world coming to when a lady’s mamma can’t even keep her daughter’s stockings out of view?” Philip said when he made his way to Jasper’s side. “Good thing Lady Anne would never act in such a disgraceful manner, eh Bingham?” Philip nudged him with his elbow and winked.

“What’s that, Philip?” Jasper peeled his eyes from the enchanting display to look at his friend. “Sorry, I got a bit distracted,” he grinned.

“I was just saying Lady Anne would never behave like that in public.”

“More’s the pity,” Jasper mumbled. “You’re right about that. Remind me, why am I offering for her again?”

“‘To carry on the succession’, of course. ‘We Lords must all do our duty one day’,” Philip quoted in his father’s stern voice. “Lucky for me, I am still expected to have my fun, while you, my old friend, must take up your duty at once.” Philip laughed.

“You’re only two years my junior.”

“That may be, but I’m still free to have my fun. You, my friend, are not. And if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go and partake in some of the fun that is expected of me. You should go and enjoy some too, before you become betrothed tomorrow.”

“I haven’t asked her yet, and maybe I won’t,” although they both knew he was talking rot. “Besides, who is to say that Alderton will even agree to the match anyway?”

“If you ask, he will agree,” Philip stated deadpan. “He won’t get a better offer. Besides, it is expected. Your parents arranged it with him after all. I think he would be more surprised if you didn’t ask. Word is Lady Anne has been groomed to marry you and only you. You can’t disappoint her, now can you?” he said with a wink and another nudge.

Disappoint her? No. Disappoint himself? Aye well Jasper felt more and more disappointed every passing year. His world was closing in on him and there was nothing he could do about it. The responsibility to his family and his line pressed down on his shoulders as a tremendous weight. He’d felt it since his father died, but lately it was dragging him under. He put on his best smile and said, “You know me, my friend, I never disappoint the ladies.”

Philip watched as his friend walked away, knowing that Jasper would behave as he always did: properly. He never partook in anything even remotely scandalous. Not since Eton, anyway. Not since his parents were taken from him and the responsibility of the Earldom was placed squarely upon his shoulders. Not that the truth of the matter stopped the rumour mill. There had been more rumours about Lord Bingham and his exploits than humanly possible; or humanly desirable for that matter. Really, who thought up the one about Jasper visiting five different brothels every night, Sundays included? No one who actually knew his friend, that was for sure.

As the crowd swallowed Jasper, Philip wished his friend would misbehave just once.

***

Grace stumbled slightly when the lights went out at midnight and she dropped the object in her hand. “Damn.” She hoped it didn’t break. She didn’t get a good look at it before the lights went off, but it felt like a brooch or a pin. Getting out from under the table wearing a costume was becoming a bit of a battle. With her bum pointed high in the air and her head still stuck under the table she elicited shocked gasps behind her when the lights flickered back on. She tried to scramble to her feet, giving her growing audience a glimpse of more than they bargained for, before she tripped on the skirt of her gown and fell hard back onto her bottom and whacked the back of her head on the table. This was ridiculous. A few glasses of wine should not make her so off-balance. It never had before, although she has never had a ‘few’ glasses so close together…but still. The room felt sideways, as if the world had been tipped off its axis. The lights in the room were oddly dim and her mind was fuzzy. She was suddenly confused and unsure where she was. Tears burned her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks which would cap off her moment of humiliation.

Through the crowd of people gathered to see her indignity, a hand reached for hers. “Need help, my lady?” She might not be able to see straight, but she could see the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on. My God, he looked like Ryan Gosling in ‘The Notebook’. Oh she hoped it wasn’t him. She had a rule against dating celebrities.

He was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. His eyes crinkled as he smiled down at her and the slight dimple in his right cheek stole the breath from her lungs. The fact that the hand held out to her belonged to him was a dream come true and she grasped hold of it firmly. As soon as she made contact with his skin awareness shot up her arm and forced a gasp from her lips.

The mystery man helped her up and tried to straighten her skirts by running his hands up and down her body. Desire flowed through her along the same path as his hands. All she could do was stare longingly up at his mouth, and her tongue darted out to moisten her suddenly very dry lips. More gasps sounded around them, jerking her back into reality. She looked around her before grabbing hold of the man’s hand and she pulled him along behind her through the crowd, away from the gaping mouths and the shocked faces. She led him to an alcove, cleverly hidden behind a couple of pillars and a partly closed drape.

Grace pushed the drape aside so they could enter and turned to face the man she had just dragged through the ballroom. What the hell had she done? She had been so consumed with getting away from the incensed looks that she didn’t even think of what the poor man must think of her. Ha! As if he was poor! He oozed money and privilege; his clothes, although a costume, were obviously of the highest quality and were tailored to suit his body. Actually, they fitted him like a glove. She couldn’t stop herself from running her eyes up and down every glorious inch of him and mentally peeling his perfect clothes off his body.

She often rubbed shoulders with these types of people through her work but she never looked at them. She hadn’t looked at any man for three years. She didn’t have the time or the inclination. But right now, with her brain fuzzy and the room slightly off its axis, she couldn’t think of the reason why she never looked and why she definitely never touched. There was only one thing she could think of as she gazed up at this gorgeous man in this closed-off corner; it was as though they were all alone in the world. Even with the sound of the ball surrounding them, they were in a cocoon. What the hell, she would be gone in the morning and no one would ever know.

She stepped closer and grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him into her lips. He jerked with the initial shock and then relaxed completely into Grace’s overheated body. He grabbed her hips and hauled her body closer, pressing himself to her heat. He took her over, consuming her until she was at the point where she tried to crawl into him. Grace could feel his erection against her belly as she hiked her leg up to wrap around his thigh. One of his hands grabbed her ass and pulled her tighter to him still. The other made its way up her skirt. Grace wrapped her arms around his neck and grabbed handfuls of his hair. Moans were forced from her lips as they embarked on a dance entirely different to any the ball was intended to provoke.

Whatever he had been expecting when he followed her into the alcove it was not this! He waited for her to say something once they arrived, but no words had come from her lips. But when she stepped towards him with a look in her eyes that he recognised but was surprised to see in a ballroom, he couldn’t believe his luck. This little woman was just what he needed before he tied himself to ball and chain. The girl’s lips melted into his and opened willingly to his tongue. She had kissed before, he was sure of that, as he ran his hands up and down her body, pressing her closer to him. She did not shy away; instead she pushed her body further against him and tried to get closer. No innocent would behave thus. She must have kissed before!

Blood roared in his ears as his whole body throbbed with need. The woman hiked her leg up onto his waist and his fingers involuntarily found the hem of her dress and slid up her smooth leg. His lips trailed kisses along her jawline to just under her ear so he could taste her intoxicating skin. The hand under her skirt slid past her knee and closer to her heat. He felt her tongue slide against his ear and shivers cascaded through his body. He heard an outraged gasp. It took a moment to realise that the sound did not come from the lady in his arms but from the entrance to their hiding spot. Jasper jerked his lips away from her sweet silky neck so fast that he gave himself whiplash swinging his head towards the opening in the drape and to the woman who stood there with her mouth hanging open.

Mrs Hillary Barrett watched with interest as a little raven-haired woman pulled Lord Bingham from the spectators. She wondered who the young lady was that made such a commotion. Her friends would dine out on this gossip for a week; she had never seen him follow any female willingly anywhere, besides his sister of course.

Hillary followed them closely, watching as the couple disappeared behind the pillar. She looked over her shoulder to see if any of her cronies had spotted this little rendezvous. Seeing all her lady friends were still discussing the spectacle the young woman had made, she rubbed her hands together with glee. She may just find the scandal of the year! This may be even better than seeing the young woman with her skirts around her ears. She rounded the corner into the alcove and stopped as a gasp was torn from her lips. This was even better than she thought!

Jasper wrenched his mouth away from the vixen and turned to see the one and only Mrs Hillary Barrett, the ton’s biggest gossip, staring at him with outraged shock.

“Lord Bingham! What on earth do you think you are doing with that young lady?”

Jasper looked down at the beauty in his arms. Her body was plastered against his, her glossy hair spilling down his left arm. Somewhere along the way her hairpins had fallen out. Her heaving breasts pressed to his chest, her clothes were slightly askew and her leg was still wrapped tightly around his thigh as though she was trying to climb him. He belatedly realised one of his hands was on her backside, pulling her closer to him, and his other hand was up her skirt just shy of her heat. He let go and dropped her like a hot poker. He turned to face his adversary, shoving the unknown woman behind him to keep her from Mrs Barrett’s prying eyes.

“Forgive me, I was just getting myself acquainted with my new fiancée, Mrs Barrett. I was just so happy with her answer I seem to have got carried away in the happy moment. If you would be so kind as to give us a minute, I would be happy to introduce you to my bride-to-be as soon as we have put ourselves to rights.” He smiled so sweetly that she blushed.

“Of course, my dear, I would be the last one to deny a new couple their happy moment.” She turned and ducked out of the alcove.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” the woman he was just making love to said once the curtain twitched back to its resting place. “I can’t believe she just barged in like that.”

Oh God, she was American, his sister was going to love this. “I can’t believe I fell for this. No one else has ever managed to do it, but you got me.” He turned towards the dishevelled beauty who was frantically trying to fix her dress. No matter what she did, it still kept gaping in the front, showing off the creamy tops of her breasts. He stared as her nipples played peek-a-boo with the lace of her bodice.

“What? What do you mean, I got you? Do you think someone put me up to this as a joke?” She looked up in disbelief from her ruined dress. “It’s terribly embarrassing getting caught kissing someone in the corner, but I assure you it was no practical joke.” Exasperated, she threw her hands down. “I can’t fix this blasted dress! Now what am I going to do? I can’t go back out there looking like this, not tonight.”

“Here, let me,” and, with experienced hands, he adjusted her dress so her breasts were no longer in danger of falling out. Jesus, it was hard to concentrate with this woman around. How in the hell was he going to get out of the mess she created? “This certainly is not a joke!” He stepped back and ran his hands through his hair. “I now must do the honourable thing…and to the wrong woman too! God damn it, what a mess. Where is your father? I must speak to him immediately.”

“My dad is dead. Did you just tell that lady I’m your fiancée?” Her beautiful mouth dropped open and then broke into a smile as she finally registered what he had said earlier. “Fast thinking, but are you crazy? At least that old lady won’t be too worried now, will she? But you don’t even know me, I could be some psycho for all you know.”

Jasper scrubbed his face with his hands and thought maybe he was the crazy one. He should just walk away from this fortune-hunter and leave her to the wolves. Who cared about her reputation? It was all but ruined from her display earlier anyway; his reputation would survive, men got away with so much more. But looking down at the confusion evident in her eyes, he couldn’t just leave her there. Besides, if he was honest with himself, she was not the only one to blame in this predicament. He suspected he couldn’t walk away from the passion he still felt for her. His hands still tingled where he had accidently brushed against the warm skin of her breast while he was setting her dress to rights, for God’s sake. How could he walk away from that? His passion for her was immediate and so intense he, for the first time ever, had forgotten where he was and what the consequences would be if he was caught. And caught he was.

“Do you have a brother I could speak to then?”

“No. My whole family died in a car accident three years ago.”

“Car accident? Oh, you mean carriage. I’m so sorry to hear that. You have my deepest condolences.” He could relate to losing loved ones and he didn’t wish that emptiness on anyone.

“They crashed on the interstate just before Christmas, three years ago. The road was covered in ice.” Tears welled up in her eyes and he could read the terror on her face as she relived it.

A strange protectiveness washed over him as he watched the sadness spread across her face. He couldn’t help but step forward and pull her into his arms. “You have no family, but all is well now, you have me. I’ll look after you, don’t worry. Stay here, I will go and find my sister.” He gently kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back,” and then he ducked from the alcove.

Jasper pushed his way through the crowd, trying to locate his sister Victoria. She was his voice of reason whenever he did something rash. He hadn’t gone to her for quite some time; he thought he was all grown up and could look after himself. How wrong he was. If there ever was a need for her advice, now was it. Heat from his sudden desire stilled pulsed through his veins. The protectiveness he felt towards the mystery woman overwhelmed his senses until he couldn’t think properly. He hadn’t even asked her name before he left her there.