Before the Fire Page 10

Alex shrugged, a twinkle in his eyes. “If you say so, my friend.”

  “Lady Julia,” Alex beamed as he turned his attention to the dowager countess and bent chivalrously over her hand, “you are looking as lovely and as charming as always.”

  “My lord,” Lady Julia replied with a blush, “you always did know just exactly what to say to raise a woman’s spirits.”

  Alex winked at the dowager countess, then grinned. “If I were but a few years older, madam…” He allowed his sentence to trail off suggestively, prompting the earl to roll his eyes in amusement.

  “You would be as old as my son,” Lady Julia chuckled, “and therefore still too young to grace this old girl’s arm, I fear.”

  The foursome laughed appreciatively at the dowager countess’s jest. “So tell me,” Lady Julia instructed as she stood up on tip-toe and glanced around the crowded ballroom, “where is that wily old fox, Chester?”

  Alex grinned. “Looking for you, madam. My uncle bade me to tell you to come introduce your new daughter within the law to him this eve should I find you. He is near the refreshment table, I presume.”

  Lady Julia rolled her eyes heavenward. “Some things never change,” she muttered.

  Alex chuckled. “At least one always know where to locate him.”

  Lady Julia spotted her quarry not a moment later. She tugged on the sleeve of Kane’s gown in her excitement. “Come dearest, let me introduce you to my, uh…” she cleared her throat delicately, “male friend.”

  “Your male friend?” Kane inquired.

  “Her paramour,” George amended.

  Alex burst into a fit of laughter, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. Kane shook her head, not understanding. “Paramour?”

  “Never mind!” George snapped, more harshly than he had intended to.

  Kane foraged through the data she had injected, hoping a ray of understanding would shine through. She tugged on her husband’s sleeve and frowned. “But George, what is a paramour?”

  “It’s not a word you’ll ever need to know, my dear.” George frowned at Alex when his friend’s laughter grew bolder.

  Kane grunted. She disliked having her questions dismissed as irrelevant. She was a planabotonologist for Saturn’s sake. And highborn to boot. Thinking on the matter as she continued to forage through her data, she smiled slowly. “I’ve got it!” she beamed, delighted when realization dawned.

  “Got what, darling?” the earl asked as he sipped from his champagne.

  “I just processed the meaning of Mother Julia’s strange word.” Kane turned her attention on the dowager countess and smiled proudly at her. “When you say he is your paramour, you mean that he exchanges sex with you!”

  George choked on the champagne he’d just sipped. Alex hit him on the back to aid him, doing his best to prevail over his own mirth. “Kane,” the earl sputtered, “We do not speak of such things in public!” George rapped his knuckles across the marquess’ head when Alex lost control altogether and laughed with what could only be deemed pandemic proportions.

  Kane blushed as she lowered her gaze to the ground. What an idiot she was! She had wanted so much for George to be proud of her, to impress his friends with her ability to assimilate into their habitat, and here she was embarrassing him on their first night out as permanent companions. She wanted to crawl into the nearest black hole and implode immediately.

  Lady Julia sensed her daughter-in-law’s discomfort and sought to remedy the situation. “Why do we not go outside for a bit of air, just you and me Kane. We can meet the viscount later, hm?”

  Kane nodded without looking up. George shifted back and forth on his feet as he glanced from Alex to his wife and back. The marquess nodded knowingly, then proceeded to behave as though nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. “Lady Kane,” Alex beseeched as he absently handed his empty champagne glass over to a passing servant, “would you allow me to lead you in the next set of dances? After you get your air, of course.”

  Kane’s head snapped up. “I, uh, I…”

  “What’s this? Turning me down?”

  “No, my lord marquess, I just um…” She thought up a plausible excuse quickly. “I injured my leg while out riding the other day. I’m afraid I cannot dance with you.”

  “I see. Next time, mayhap?”

  Kane nodded her head emphatically, so elated she was to have received this unexpected reprieve. “Next time, I promise.”

  “Come,” Lady Julia crooned as she took her daughter-in-law by the sleeve. “Let us get our air, my dear.”

  * * * * *

  “She cannot dance, can she?” Alex put the question to George as they strolled through the Giddings’ garden in search of his wife and mother.

  “No,” he sighed, “she can’t.”

  George had never felt more the cad in all of his days. He knew his wife had wanted to make a good impression, yet he hadn’t bothered himself with teaching her how to go about in society. She knew next to nothing of the gentry’s customs, of how to carry on in their midst. Kane had never had cause to learn the dances of Georgian England. She didn’t understand what was considered appropriate chit-chat and what wasn’t. She was like a babe left to fend for itself in the woods.

  And now she felt humiliated.

  George mentally berated himself for his lack of foresight for at least the hundredth time. He wouldn’t blame his wife in the slightest if she left him for the twenty-fifth century this very night. A cold chill of apprehension swept over the earl, causing him to pick up his pace. Good God, she wouldn’t truly leave him…would she?

  “You’re a fortunate man, George.”

  George forced his attention back to his best friend. “What do you mean, Alex?”

  Lord Asherby chuckled. “Come, come, my friend. Certainly you took note of all the jealous stares the men of the ton were throwing your way?” The marquess shook his head in bemused regret. “I find myself in their company.”

  George halted abruptly and turned to face his oldest friend. “What are you saying, Alex?” He asked the question quietly, his black brow arched menacingly.

  “George!” Alex chided, knowing the earl’s temper for what it was. “You know very well I should never attempt to take your wife from you. We are best friends, man! Besides,” he added, “it’s not as though I or any other man would stand a chance. Your lady adores you, any fool can see that. What is the matter with you?”

  George sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair in agitation. “I don’t know. She makes me daft.” He shrugged ruefully. “I tell you true I’ve never felt for a woman like this before.”

  Alex chuckled lightly, as he was always apt to do. “Ah,” he grinned as they began to stroll the gardens once more, “so you are in love.”

  “That I am, Asherby. That I am.”

  Chapter 14

  The earl and the marquess located the ladies next to the refreshment table, chatting it up with Chester Elliott, Viscount Blake. George noticed at once that his wife had managed to beguile Lord Blake as readily as she’d beguiled him. In fact, once he took a look around, he realized with much annoyance that his bride was enrapturing many of the ton’s gentlemen this night. They swarmed about her like bees drawn to a particularly tempting flower.

  George frowned, watching in contempt as society’s men hung on his wife’s every word. They smiled too warmly at her visage, laughed too loudly at her jests, and annoyed him too mightily to let it continue. “There you are, madam, I was wondering where you had wandered off to.”

  “George!” Kane beamed, vastly relieved to see him. “I’ve been wondering the same about you and Alex. Mother Julia and I tried to find the two of you after we took our air.”

  George elbowed his way through the crowd and strode possessively to his wife’s side. “It appears that we missed each other, my dear. Alex and I were just looking for you and mother in the gardens.”

  The earl drew his wife’s hand to his lips and kissed her briefly, his territorial
ism obvious to any man in attendance. With a practiced façade of indifference, George then proceeded to chat politely with each of Kane’s male admirers until the competition for her attention slowly dwindled down to none. Twenty minutes later, with his mission accomplished, he flexed his fingers and smiled triumphantly toward a grinning Marquess of Asherby.

  “George,” Lady Julia smiled broadly, “Chester here informed your wife and I that he’s added a first class greenhouse onto his London property. Kane and I should like to call on him on the morrow to inspect his plants, if you would be so kind as to escort us, my lord son?”

  “’Tis a fine greenhouse, Blackmore,” Chester announced with a touch of pride, standing up to his full five feet and ten inches. “The finest in all of London, if I do say so myself. I understand your lady wife has an interest in botanical matters as do I?”

  “Yes she does,” George agreed. “I’m certain she would love to see your collection of plants.”

  “Then by all means, bring the lovely women by on the morrow.”

  The earl nodded politely, accepting the viscount’s invitation. “We look forward to it, Blake.”

  Kane grinned up at her husband, excitement reeling through her body. George understood why, for it was possible that the viscount’s greenhouse would contain a kabitross specimen. The earl, unfortunately, couldn’t help but to feel a little down about that prospect. He couldn’t stomach the thought of his wife setting off for the future, no matter how noble her cause, no matter if she planned to return. Who could say that nothing would go wrong and she would be able to find her way back?

  “Don’t even think of leaving me out of this one,” Alex chuckled as he strode into the fold of the group. He winked at George, then announced, “I shall await the arrival of the earl and the countesses with you, uncle.”

  “Since when do you have an interest in botanical matters, nephew?”

  “Since never,” Alex admitted wryly. “But I know you, Blake. You’ll show the ladies your greenhouse, but soon thereafter you’ll be teaching the new Lady Blackmore the finer points of dicing. I never miss out on a potentially lively game of chance.”

  “Now wait just a moment,” George gritted out. “I will not have you two lackwits teaching my gentle wife to gamble. You two—”

  “Oh hush, George,” Lady Julia scolded. “Chester here would never betray a confidence and well you know it. What is done in the privacy of his parlor would never leave said chamber.”

  “True enough,” Alex beamed. “And I haven’t had a go at our dear Lord Blake in nigh to two fortnights.”

  “Oh please George,” Kane whispered, obviously taken with the notion. “I’ve never diced before.Let’s just play a round or two, hm? Chester makes it sound so fun!”

  “Of course he makes it sound fun,” George replied in annoyance. “It is fun for him because he always wins.”

  Viscount Blake laughed deep in his belly, his eyes twinkling. “Come, come, my boy. Don’t tell me you’re still upset over those few hundred pounds you lost to me?”

  George grimaced, unwilling to admit as much. That dreadful loss had occurred over two years past after all. He relented with a sigh, caving into his wife’s desires—again. “Of course I am not upset about something so mundane,” he lied. “As a matter of fact, I will enjoy winning back my damned money.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Alex beamed. “We shall meet at my uncle’s abode on the morrow.”

  “Be prepared to lose big, Blackmore.”

  “Not on your bloody life, Blake.”

  * * * * *

  An hour later, the Blackmores were ready to call it a night, George especially. He had plans for his wife in their bedchamber this eve that had nothing at all to do with dancing, botany, or dicing. He was eager to claim his bride and make her his wife in truth.

  “George, can you slow down? I’m going to fall.”

  The earl grimaced, complying readily. “Sorry, darling.” He slowed his gait, but continued to pace he and his wife toward the doors. He wanted to hurry before someone else stopped them and clambered for their attention.

  “Hello, Blackmore.”

  The earl sighed, afraid that he would never manage to sneak Kane out of the ball so early. He drew her to a halt at his side and turned to face the intercessor.

  George frowned intently, realizing who it was. Nina had taken many lovers into her bed after they’d wed, but only one with regularity so far as he knew. “Montieth.”

  “Blackmore,” Montieth frowned back. The man turned his attention on Kane, smiling provocatively at her. He looked her up and down, eyeing her as though she were a woman for sale. “Are you not going to introduce me to your new bride, George?”

  “No, I’m not. And I never gave you leave to address me with familiarity.”

  “George,” Kane whispered, mortified by his behavior.

  “Let it go, madam wife,” the earl declared in a tone far from hushed. “This man is a gentleman in title, mayhap, but certainly not in deed.” He assessed Baron Montieth through disgusted eyes, as though the mere sight of him was contemptible. “You are not to consort with trash such as the baron.”

  Kane stared at her husband in disbelief. She had never seen him behave anything less than perfectly cordial to anyone, be they common or titled. She didn’t have the first notion what this Montieth had done to cause her husband to loathe him so, but she trusted George’s judgment and decided to snub the man. “As you wish, my lord.” She thrust her chin defiantly upwards, perfecting the air of noble hauteur.

  Montieth shook his head and tssked. It was obvious to Kane that the little man was enjoying making her husband feel uncomfortable. “Is that the only way you can hold on to a woman, Blackmore?” he asked, his eyes glittering wickedly, “to order her to stay away from the competition?”

  Alex approached in time to hear the last comment, stopping at Kane’s other side in a protective manner.

  “Enough, Montieth,” George gritted out, the vein at his temple ticking. “You go too far.”

  “Not with this wife I haven’t,” he said boldly. “At least not yet.”

  George stepped menacingly toward the baron, inducing Alex to step between them. The marquess gazed down to Montieth disdainfully, letting all and sundry know what he thought of the man. “You best move on, man. Your words are insulting to the countess.” He shook his head and laughed mockingly. “And if I were you, I would do it before you find yourself challenged by Blackmore.” The marquess placed a brotherly hand on George’s shoulder and clapped him on the back. “I account myself an excellent shot, yet even I wouldn’t be foolish enough to challenge Lord Blackmore.”

  Sensing that he’d permitted his hatred to show far too soon, Baron Montieth bowed mockingly to the earl and marquess. “Very well, gentlemen. I shall retreat,” he replied smoothly. Then added, “for now.” He darted his rabid gaze toward Kane once more, surveying her sinfully. “I look forward to better making your acquaintance, Lady Blackmore.”

  Kane rolled her eyes. She didn’t care for this scene one bit. She also didn’t care for the beady-eyed little humanoid who was trying to make her husband look the fool in front of the entire ballroom. And much to her chagrin, she realized that people were watching. She decided to make the most of it. “Sir,” she spat out, using the most pompous air she could muster, “I have no desire to make your acquaintance, now or ever.” And when she heard the murmurs of approval rising up from the guests crowded about them, she added. “If my husband deems you to be unsuitable company, then unsuitable you are.” She waved her hand about, as if she were trying to rid herself of an unwanted pest. “Be gone.”

  The laughter of the ton, coupled with the grin of Alex and the triumphant gleam in the eye of the earl, caused Baron Montieth to flush red with embarrassment. “I see the new Countess of Blackmore hasn’t the couth of the last one,” he hissed.

  The crowd gathered around them gasped in horror that any man would dare to publicly insult a countess. Kane didn
’t know this was why they gasped and she didn’t particularly care. She loved a good verbal match. She was about to give him another earful when the verbal war was interrupted, and by a very unlikely source.

  “Sire,” George announced in a startled murmur, shocked from his mind-searing anger. The crowd parted, making way for the approaching king of England. “I did not hear your arrival.”

  King George III chuckled, taking Kane’s hand to bow over it. She curtsied, just as Lady Julia had shown her how to do. “I’m surprised anyone at all heard my trumpeteers over the din going on in here. Blackmore, introduce me to your lady wife.”

  “Of course, sire. Your Majesty King George III, I humbly present to you my wife, Lady Kane, the Countess of Blackmore.”

  The king drew her proffered hand to his lips and kissed her chastely. “A pleasure, to be sure.”

  Kane was so overcome with excitement to at last meet this daft king that she couldn’t contain it. “Oh my!” she giggled gleefully, “I can’t believe I’ve finally met you. I was hoping you’d put in an appearance tonight, Your Majesty!”

  The conceited reigning monarch couldn’t help but to like her on the spot. He drew himself up, looking more pompous and proud than ten noblemen put together. He turned to the baron and frowned, his large almond-shaped eyes reflecting a deep disdain. “I overheard your comments to the beautiful countess and I assure you that I do not look kindly upon them. Apologize and apologize now.”

  “Of course, sire,” Montieth gritted out, hating that he had to cater to this man’s whims. He turned to Kane and bowed regally, mentally vowing to make her pay for his humiliation among the ton. “I offer you my most heartfelt apologies, Lady Blackmore.”

  Kane glanced up to the king uncomfortably, uncertain as to what she was expected to do. “You may forgive him, milady,” he whispered down to her.

  Alex grinned, looking away to hide his mirth.

  Kane frowned, not feeling very forgiving. She wanted to give the little baron a good taste of the twenty-fifth century’s deadly body arts, but relented in the end. “Well if you say I must then I do,” she relented.