Page 25 of Never Tempt a Widow

Chapter Thirteen

Fina had just finished dressing when a knock on the door announced the arrival of her husband. Her maid melted away.

Rowland was brandishing a letter. “This just arrived.” He strode into the room, then halted in front of her. “You take my breath away.”

There was a pent silence while he ran his eyes over her, and she did the same to him, impressed at the grandeur created by his powdered wig and flamboyant long-skirted coat. The borders of this were elaborately embroidered, and the deeply-reversed cuffs revealed falls of lace at his wrists. There was lace on his cravat too, and a multitude of silk-covered buttons on his waistcoat.

She licked her lips. How she would enjoy unbuttoning him, exploring the muscled chest that lay beneath. If only she didn’t feel that it would hand him the victory.

“You look quite splendid yourself, Husband.”

He gave her a bow, eyes twinkling. “Then the Hanleys won’t be disappointed in us. I hope we shan’t put them to shame.”

He seemed to run out of words and stood staring at her again. She moistened her lips. “You have a letter, sir. Did you wish to show it to me?”

“Oh, yes. I mean, no. It’s just from Felix. It says he’s due back here today so he may accompany us—if he makes it in time. Assuming that you won’t mind?”

Good, it would mean she got less attention. “Won’t the Hanleys mind?”

“I’ve sent Jacob across with a note. Felix can ride over if we’ve left by the time he arrives.”

He stopped speaking again and came closer, a predatory look in his eye. She knew that look. She’d seen it on Dundas’ face many a time.

“Rowland—”

Her protest ended in a sigh. His gloved palm was against her neck, hot, strange, unsettling. She should brush him off but couldn’t find the willpower. What would he do next?

She felt the warm wash of his breath as he pressed his lips to her earlobe, then nibbled lightly at the edge. Her nipples sprang into life, beading against the tight pressure of her stays. The rapidity of her breathing was revealed by the movement of her breasts—the next destination for Rowland’s lips. When he licked the cleft between them, her head went back, and a soft moan escaped her.

“We’re supposed to be going out,” she managed.

His head withdrew. “Oh, yes. I was forgetting. Shall we?”

He extended his hand and gave her an extravagant bow. She stood, enjoying the camaraderie. She, too, was forgetting. Forgetting that she had tricked this man into marrying her and would one day have to face the consequences.

Retribution arrived sooner than expected. Barely had they reached the door than it was flung open, and Felix hurtled in, still in riding coat and boots. He came to a stop, glaring down at her accusingly, not even acknowledging his brother-in-law.

“You, Madam,” he spat, “are a fraudster and an ingrate. A scandalous abomination, a jade, a harlot—”

“Enough!” Rowland seized Felix by the lapels and pushed him backwards. “That’s my wife you’re insulting. Pull yourself together, man. Whatever has got into you?”

Fina felt a crackle like ice on her skin. She wanted to ask the same question but greatly feared the answer.

Red-faced, Felix took a few harsh breaths, then nodded and was released. “The woman you married is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Wolfingham. She has brought scandal and ruination on her family by eloping with a ne’er-do-well—and will do the same to you.”

He spoke slowly, every syllable dripping with venom. Each word was like the twist of a knife in her heart. He turned his back on her and marched across to the window.

Rowland closed his eyes. Watching anxiously, Fina saw his jaw clench and his chest heave, but whether in rage or disgust, she couldn’t tell. Perhaps both.

She put out a hand. “Rowland—”

He stared her down, cold anger flaring in his eyes, but his voice was steady. “I see you don’t deny what Felix accuses you of.”

She shook her head, despair flooding her body. The room felt cold as the grave, and for a long time, no one spoke.

“Take off your finery, Wife.” Rowland’s lips curled into a sneer. “After this revelation, I suspect it would not be wise for us both to dine with the Hanleys tonight. You and I will talk when I return. Felix, you will have to be my companion for the evening. Get out of your riding clothes, and I’ll meet you in the hall.”

The men left the room without another word or a glance in Fina’s direction.

So—that was it. Her hopes of making this marriage of convenience a success had just come crashing down.

What was she supposed to do now?