The Baron - The Offer Part 9

aHow delightful that you could come,a Sabrina said, nodding pleasantly to both Miss Elliott and her brother.

Teresa inclined her head, her eyes on the viscountas profile.

aPhillip,a Sabrina said, tugging slightly on his sleeve. aMiss Elliott and her brother, Wilfred.a Phillip turned from a brief conversation with Lord William Ramsey. His hazel eyes instantly lost their compelling warmth.

aI was just telling Wilfred, my lord, that you were so naughty to wed Miss Eversleigh so very quickly. None of us scarce had time to get to know her.a Phillip gave Sabrina a lazy smile, then said easily, aI would rather say, Teresa, that if I hadnat finally managed to convince her to wed me so quickly, I might have lost the most beautiful lady in London to another gentleman. We Merceraults have always been noted for our brains, you know. Wilfred, I trust your studies are continuing?a aOh yes, my lord.a Phillip watched the brother and sister go into the ballroom. aThis could afford me some amus.e.m.e.nt. If she tries anything unpleasant with you, Sabrina, you have my permission to hurl a plate or a gla.s.s at her. Then, if she doesnat subside, you can kick her.a aThank you. Perhaps Iall even stick close to her in hopes that she will insult me. May I really kick her?a aYes, but try not to let too many of our guests see you.a Another couple claimed her attention and it was some ten more minutes before Phillip turned again to Sabrina. aWaltz with me, Sabrina. I think we have finally greeted every guest.a aAnd not one of them your asurprise,a Phillip.a aI a.s.sume that he decided he didnat wish to come,a he said as he took her arm.

Within minutes, Sabrina was laughing, her eyes alight with pleasure. aYou see, Phillip, not everyone is unkind in London.a aYouare jesting with me. Even you canat be that thick.a aVery well, but I can so easily forget when weare waltzing. Oh, I very much like the Earl and Countess of March. Theyare charming.a Phillip remembered the earlas words to him several days before at Gentleman Jacksonas. He said more to himself than to her, aJulien certainly follows his own advice. Never have I seen a young lady less broken to bridle.a aBreaking to bridle? Whatas this about?a A s.p.a.ce cleared on the dance floor and Phillip suddenly whirled her around in smooth, wide circles. When he drew her back into a more sedate pace, she was panting and laughing at the same time. aOh, that was wonderful.a He dropped a kiss on the fat braid on top of her head. A rose ribbon was threaded through the braids. It was an excellent style on her. She moved closer to him. He frowned. He hadnat meant to do that, he hadnat.

aI believe,a he said as the music came to an end, athat our surprise guest has arrived. If Iam not mistaken, he wishes to dance with you.a Sabrina turned to face Richard Clarendon. She c.o.c.ked her head to one side. Theread been just a hint of chill in Phillipas voice. How odd.

aRichard,a she said, and swept him a curtsy.

Richard Clarendon gazed down at the slender, vibrant girl before him and for a moment forgot all his gallant banter, compliments so much a part of him that he could speak them while continuing his own thoughts. aYouare well, Sabrina?a aYes, Richard, Iam very well.a aIam delighted you could come, Richard,a Phillip said. aMy wife dearly loves to waltz. Perhaps you would like to indulge her?a She forgot their last meeting at Moreland when shead been flat on her back, sicker than shead care to admit, and head tried to bend her to his will. She looked up at him, seeing an extraordinarily handsome man who looked altogether dark and dangerous. aPerhaps Richard doesnat want to dance, Phillip.a Richard Clarendon merely nodded to Phillip and took Sabrinaas arm. She smiled up at him, craning her neck, for he was some inches taller even than Phillip. He whirled her away into the throng.

aGood G.o.d, Phillip, what the devil are you doing? Have you lost your good sense?a Phillip turned to see Charles Askbridge standing at his elbow.

Phillip looked down a moment at his well-manicured fingernails. He said mildly, aClarendon just arrived in town. Heas a friend, Charles. Would you that I barred him from my home?a aHe still wants her. Just look at the way heas staring at her. Youare placing Sabrina in a rather awkward position. I wouldnat do it.a Phillip just shrugged. aExcuse me, Charles, I believe Iall dance with Teresa. I canat wait to see what she has to say. Iall either start laughing at the absurdity of it all or strangle her on the dance floor. Which do you think is preferable?a

36.

Sabrina turned, smiling, and said to Richard Clarendon, aYour mother and son are well?a aYes.a He sounded angry.

aHave I offended you in some way, Richard?a His dark eyes flashed a moment. aOf course not. It is I who have offended myself.a aI donat understand.a aMany times I donat understand myself.a The girl in his arms was now the Viscountess Derencourt and there was nothing on earth that could change that fact. aI read of your marriage.a aItas been nearly a week now. It seems much longer, truth be told.a He wondered, looking down at her, what would have happened if he hadnat gone to one of his northern estates after her refusal of him at Moreland. If head been in London at the time of her ruin, would he, like Phillip, have tried yet again to convince her to marry him? He didnat fault Phillip for his course of action; he only wished that it had been he who had been her rescuer. He saw that she was looking at him, a clear question in those incredible eyes of hers, and quickly changed the topic.

aI visited Monmouth Abbey again before coming to London. Your grandfather does much better. That weasel cousin of yours a.s.sured me a dozen times if he a.s.sured me once that the earl would recover. Trevor really is a paltry fellow, Sabrina, but I swear to you that I didnat knock his teeth down his throat. I did, however, grab the weasel by his cravat and lift him a good six inches off the floor and shake him until his head snapped.a She grinned up at him. aThat was well done of you. Actually, Iad like to do that, too. I had another letter from Grandfather just yesterday. He sounds better. Thank you for going there, Richard. Itas very kind of you. Did you visit with him?a aYes, briefly. His color is better. Heas very pleased that youare safe.a He saw that she didnat want to ask, and said quickly, aYes, I also saw Elizabeth. She appears to enjoy being mistress of the manor. But you know as well as I do that it has to be one of her only pleasures. Itas becoming common knowledge that Trevor indulges himself with the Monmouth servants. And Elizabeth knows it. Every day he is less discreet. I heard that he was even bedding her maid, Mary.a aBut does Trevor at least treat her well in public?a aYes, heas not altogether stupid. Iam glad youare out of that household.a aPoor Elizabeth,a she said. aShe doesnat deserve to be tied to a man like him, no woman does. I told her the truth but she wouldnat listen to me.a aI donat remember Elizabeth ever listening to anybody. Youare still too thin, Sabrina.a aGive me time, Richard,a she said easily. aPhillip tells me that if we go to Dinwitty Manor, the cook there will make me fat as a flawn within a week.a aHeas right. Itas a dangerous place to go.a She felt his hand tighten about her waist and blinked at him. His dark eyes glittered.

Richard wished now that he hadnat come. There was still a tug of attraction for her. It was still too strong for his own peace of mind. Although he enjoyed married ladies, the thought of flirting with Sabrina, of trying to seduce her, was distasteful to him and that smacked of a morality he didnat want to see in himself. aYour ball is a success.a aYes. Phillip has done well by me, donat you think?a aYou donat sound very pleased. Whatas wrong? Arenat you happy?a His grip tightened about her fingers.

aOf course Iam happy. Itas also a good thing that Iam no longer that silly young girl from Yorks.h.i.+re.a The waltz drew to a close. Richard drew her hand through his arm, his fingers warm and caressing over hers. aCome, Sabrina, let us try some of your punch. I heard from one very happy lady that thereas superb champagne in it. Phillipas cellars have an excellent reputation.a She nodded, looking for her husband from the corner of her eye. She finally saw him in laughing conversation with a striking girl whose name she couldnat remember.

Suddenly there was a rending sound. Sabrina stopped dead in her tracks. aOh, drat, just look what Iave done. My beautiful gown, Iave caught the hem and ripped it. Do forgive me, Richard. I must go fix it.a aAllow me to fix it for you, Sabrina. Iam really quite accomplished at such tasks, you know.a She couldnat imagine how that could be so.

aCome, trust me.a Sabrina shook her head, laughing. aYou and Phillip are like two peas from the same pod. The both of you must always have the last word. Very well, thereas a small room just down the corridor that should provide you, me, and my flounce sufficient privacy.a Phillip watched Sabrina and Richard Clarendon leave the ballroom. What was going on?

He excused himself from Miss Patterson, and made good his escape from the ballroom. He saw Sabrina laugh up at Richard and walk away with him down the corridor toward the back of the house. Although he hated what he was doing, he still walked after them. He saw Sabrina open the door to the small room shead just begun using for her own private parlor and close it after her.

His fists clenched at his sides and he felt cold fury wash over him. He admitted to himself that his invitation of a man whoad been a good friend for many years had been in the nature of a test. He simply had to know if Sabrina cared anything about the marquess. He wasnat proud of himself. But there it was. Head said nothing, done nothing. Head simply let them do what they wanted to do. Head simply watched them go into that room. Head simply watched the d.a.m.ned door close.

Her behavior was inexcusable. He was angrier than head been in a very long time. He turned on his heel and strode back to the ballroom.

In the small ladiesa room, Sabrina was laughing as she said, aSome a.s.sistant you are, Richard, just look at what youare doing.a He was actually on his knees in front of her sticking pins in strategic places in the ripped hem.

Their heads were nearly touching.

He looked up. He couldnat seem to stop staring at her mouth. aConsider me both your inspiration and your servant.a aNo, that pin is all crooked. Here.a She was laughing when she took the pin from him. She jabbed her finger.

aOh, goodness, look what Iave done.a She put the injured finger in her mouth.

aNow I can truly be of a.s.sistance, Sabrina.a Richard knelt up in front of her, taking the finger and inspecting it. A small drop of blood welled up. Without thought, he licked it away, then gently kissed the finger.

Sabrina sat very quietly, gazing down at his bent head. aRichard.a She stopped. She didnat know what to say. She looked down at the handsome man who was kneeling in front of her. She felt embarra.s.sed and strangely ashamed.

He groaned, dropped her hand as if it were something to bite him, and rose quickly. He ran his hand distractedly through his hair.

aIam sorry, Sabrina. I didnat mean to do that.a Sabrina rose and placed her hand on his sleeve. aPlease, itas all right, Richard. Itas forgotten. Youare an excellent friend anda"a aDammit, I never wanted to be your b.l.o.o.d.y friend. You know I would have married you, despite what happened between you and Phillip.a She raised her head and looked him straight in his dark eyes. aIam no longer a virgin, as of four nights ago. I now know what men do to women. Phillip did it to me three times. So, what I find absolutely astounding is that anyone with any sort of brain at all would think that a woman would willingly let a man do those things to her. Itas ridiculous. If you honestly believe that while I was very ill I let Phillip somehow seduce me, then youare an idiot, Richard, very simply, an idiot.a He was treading on very swampy ground, but Richard Clarendon was a man used to speaking his mind. Her words didnat make sense. aYou mean to tell me that Phillip didnat please you? Sabrina, Phillip is an experienced man. He isnat a clod. This is impossible. He made love to you three times and you had no pleasure with him?a He realized then what he was saying. Her face was perfectly white. She looked both pale and ill and ready to kill. aIam sorry, forgive me. That wasnat something I should have said. I could have thought it but not said it.a He ran his hand through his hair again. aYouare in love with him and yet he hasnat pleased you. Thatas astonis.h.i.+ng, truly it is, if you but realized it.a Suddenly the impropriety of the situation struck him forcibly. In her innocence, shead thought nothing of accompanying him to this room, alone. All she needed at this point was more vicious gossiping. And just look what had happened. No fault of hers. All his. He smiled at her very gently, slowly lifted her hand, and lightly kissed her fingers. aIam a fool. Everything will right itself, Sabrina, you will see. Now, I must take my leave. You must return to the ballroom and your guests before youare missed. Good-bye.a He turned on his heel and left the room, leaving her to stare after him.

At two oaclock in the morning Sabrina was so weary that she could barely restrain her yawns as Doris brushed out her hair. Her bedchamber door opened suddenly and Phillipas reflection appeared in her mirror.

He dismissed her maid. He didnat say a word until Doris was out of the room. Then he kicked the door closed with the heel of his boot.

She smiled at him in the mirror. aYouave sent away the final guests?a Sabrina turned in her chair and looked at him with some surprise. He wasnat smiling back at her. He didnat look at all tired. He looked angry.

aYes, theyare all gone. The champagne punch is gone as well. Greybar is so tired I thought head collapse in the entry hall.a He sprawled into a chair opposite her and began to tap his fingertips together.

aWe only waltzed two times, Phillip. Iad hoped for more, perhaps six times would have been sufficient for me. Indeed, you were slathering your charm on so wondrously that I didnat think the ladies would ever let you out of their sight.a He waved away her words. He said slowly, his voice low and careful, aYou, at least, had the good sense to return to the ballroom before the gossips took notice.a It took her a moment to realize what he was saying. She just shook her head at him. aI tore the flounce on my gown and had to pin it up. If youad only asked me to dance when I got back to the ballroom, I would have told you that.a aDid you come up with that or did Richard?a She became very still.

aI donat blame you for keeping quiet. I wouldnat tell me either. Unfortunately for you, Sabrina, I saw you go to that very private little room of yours with Richard Clarendon.a aWhat are you saying, my lord?a aHow formal youave become, but perhaps the situation warrants it. What Iam saying, Sabrina, is that I gave you the opportunity to prove your indifference to Clarendon but you did just the opposite. You waltzed with him, then immediately left with him.a She slowly rose from the stool, her face flooding with angry color. aYouare saying that Richard was here so you could conduct some sort of test?a aYes. You didnat pa.s.s.a aI donat believe this, Phillip, I truly donat. You have the gall to tell me that you didnat ever believe me when I told you I had no interest in Richard? You have the further gall to tell me thatas the only reason he was here? To tempt your wife?a aNo, of course not.a He rose, staring at her, his hands at his sides. aI can well control my own wife without recourse to subterfuge.a aIf this wasnat subterfuge, then what was it?a aIt was nothing more than an opportunity for you to prove yourself to me. As I said, you failed. Now I must question your feelings toward Clarendon.a aIf I had a knife, Iad stab you in your faithless hypocritical heart! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Iam not the faithless one here, itas you. You throw Richard up at me with no evidence of anything at all, yet you even call me by your own d.a.m.ned mistressas name. Itas Martine, d.a.m.n you!a She picked up a scent bottle and hurled it at him. Then she wanted to kill him because he laughed and ducked it, then laughed harder. Then he stopped laughing. He said, aI am a man. You are my wife. You will obey me and you will not even consider being unfaithful.a She was shuddering with rage. No, she didnat want to throw anything else at him. It was childish. She had to use her wits, but it was difficult, for he made her so angry her brain dissolved into red mist. She drew several deep breaths. aI want you to leave, Phillip. I canat deal with any more of this now.a He walked to her and took her arms in his hands. He shook her slightly until she looked up at him. aYou will deal with anything I tell you to. You are my wife, this is my house.a aYou are my husband.a aCertainly. You will always have the protection of my name. I simply shanat allow you to tarnish it. Listen carefully to me, Sabrina. I will not tolerate Richard Clarendon as your lover, or any other man for that matter.a aI told Richard that I was no longer a virgin. Naturally he believed that youad taken my virginity when I was vilely ill at the hunting box. I set him straight. I told him that youad taken me three times and that I found it ridiculous for anyone to believe that a woman could ever be willingly seduced. It is humiliating and wretched what men do to women, what you did to me. I donat want a lover, Phillip. Itas laughable even to think about it.a He looked utterly appalled. aYou told Richard that I didnat give you pleasure?a She could only stare up at him. She would never understand a manas mind. Her chin went up as high as she could get it. aI told him you were a clod.a aNo,a he said slowly, studying her pale face, ano, you love me. You would never tell another man something that would lessen my worth.a aNone of this makes any sense. I either love you, in which case, how could I ever think to take a lover?a aI donat know if you really love me. I think itas just infatuation, which might lead you astray, as in leading you directly to Richard. He has a way with women, I know that, only I do wish that you hadnat told him Iad been a clod. I wasnat, really, itas just that because of what Trevor did to you, youare still frozen anda"a His eyes were on her face now. He didnat say anything more, just stared down at her. He lightly touched his fingertips to her cheek.

aSo soft,a he said, then leaned down to kiss her. She leapt back.

aHow can you want to do that to me when you think Iam a horrible woman?a aNo, itas just possible that perhaps you could be led down a path that would end in a place that wouldnat be good for you, a place I wouldnat like you to be.a She said flatly, aYou sound like a jealous husband, Phillip. Where there is no lovea"and surely you have none for mea"then the ground must be too arid to cultivate such a feeling.a aI will never be jealous of a woman, particularly if the woman is my d.a.m.ned wife. I wonat be cuckolded, Sabrina. You had your flirtation with Clarendon this evening, but there it will end. I would that you contrive to show some grat.i.tude after all I have done for you.a Shead sworn never to throw anything again, but she just had no control over the hand that reached down and grabbed her hairbrush. She watched that hand rise, then hurl the hairbrush at him. It hit him on the jaw, a clean hit, that caused him pain. The hairbrush bounced off and hit the carpet at his feet. He didnat say anything, just rubbed his jaw.

aYouare a fool, Phillip. Get out of my room.a aNot just yet, madam.a He was on her in the next instant. He threw her over his shoulder and walked to her bed. He pulled her over his legs and struck her with the flat of his hand. She tried to rear up, but he just smacked her again.

She cursed him but he just laughed. He gave her one extra smack, then pulled her to her feet to stand beside him.

aIn the future when you throw things at me, this will be your punishment. Next time, Iall pull up that gown and petticoat of yours and youall feel my hand. This was nothing, so donat you ever throw it up to me. Good night, Sabrina.a He left her room without a backward glance. She yelled after him, aTo think I actually believed living with you here was preferable to that miserable hotel. What a fool I was.a The door slammed open and he stuck his head in. aDonat push me, Sabrina.a aPush you? Iave done nothing to you if you but had the brain to realize it.a She was standing there, panting, and he heard the dreadful pain in her voice. He couldnat stand it. He stepped into her bedchamber. aSabrina,a he said, his hand stretched out toward her.

She gave a small cry and ran to the other side of the bed. It gave her courage and both of them knew it. aYouave said, my lord, that this is your house. Tell me, how much would you say that this bedchamber is worth? I would gladly pay you for it. Perhaps then you would stop reminding me how I must be grateful to you.a aYou may have this room. Good night again, Sabrina.a aSo you donat want to hear about how I made Richard follow me to that private room, how I locked the door against the curious, and how, despite his n.o.ble protests, I seduced the Marquess of Arysdale? Itas in my blood, donat you think? After all, I did spend five days and nights with you. Yes, Iam a trollop, no doubt about that. I want to bed every man I meet after the enjoyment it brought me to be bedded by you. All that pleasure has driven my s.l.u.tas soul to seek more and more. Richard is so very dark and brooding, Iall wager any number of ladies are after him. It makes my palms itch to touch him, just thinking about him.a Phillip kept his mouth shut. He heard the hysterical pitch in her voice. He merely nodded to her and shut the door behind him. She stood there, staring at that door, biting her lip, her eyes bright with tears she prayed wouldnat fall. She wouldnat cry for him.

No, she would never cry again.

37.

He said to her over luncheon three days later, aListen to me, Sabrina. We live in the same house. But when I see you, you simply look through me. Youare agreeable, I wonat deny that, but youare just not here. You avoid me. Itas enough. Thereas no reason for this false submissiveness of yours. Itas driving me mad. I want you to change.a Shead set down her fork and looked at him with great seriousness as he spoke, all her attention seemingly focused on him. But he knew it wasnat true. It was in that instant that he decided to take her to Dinwitty Manor. Out of London, away from all the cursed memories. Things would be different at Dinwitty. Cook could stuff food into her face, food that was ambrosia. She could help him design his tower. He hadnat looked at his drawings since last summer. But he was getting the itch again. He was ready now to begin again. He loved to build. He wondered if Sabrina would enjoy all the planning, watching the builders curse and sweat and fas.h.i.+on what head drawn. Head write to Rohan and Susannah and invite them to come visit. Yes, thatas what head do.

aHow would you like me to change, Phillip? Whatever you wish, I will certainly do my best to comply.a At that moment he believed head give just about anything to have her hurl a plate at his head. But she didnat. She was sitting silently, her hands now folded in her lap. All that immense vitality of hers was extinguished. He hated it. h.e.l.l, he would lock her into the tower once it was built, if she was still acting this way.

aI want you to stand up. I want you to walk to me. I want you to kiss me.a Without hesitation, she rose and walked to him. She stood beside his chair, then leaned down and touched her mouth to his. A fleeting light touch, nothing at all behind it, no feeling, no anger, just nothing.

Then she simply walked away, toward the window. She pulled back the draperies and looked out at the gray, overcast winter day.

aWould you like to go to Almackas this evening? You love to waltz. Would that please you?a aIf it would please you, then naturally it would be my pleasure as well.a She didnat even turn to face him as she spoke. It enraged him. aIam asking what youad prefer, Sabrina.a She turned and lowered her head. The toes of her slippers were more important, more interesting, than he was. She said, aI thought you found Almackas boring. It also looks as if it might snow today. The clouds are low and very dark.a aWho cares if it b.l.o.o.d.y well snows? I like to waltz with you.a aI see,a she said. She drew her shawl more closely around her shoulders, nodding to him, and said, aI will naturally do your bidding.a aDonat leave. Sit down.a Without a word, she sat down.

aIave asked you for your wishes in this matter. Itas not a question of your doing my bidding.a aBut my desire must perforce be to do your bidding, my lord.a aVery well. My bidding is for you to cease acting like a spiritless old horse.a He thought he saw a spark of anger in her eyes and found that he wanted nothing more than to fan that spark into a flame that would burn him but good. He wanted blood in her eyes. He wanted to see her fists. But she remained infuriatingly silent.

He continued, doggedly, aPerhaps Richard Clarendon will be there. I realize that heas just a friend, to both of us. Perhaps you would like to see him.a It was as close as head ever get to an apology. He didnat believe that men were fas.h.i.+oned for abject apologies. It didnat matter how wrong they were. But it was an offer of one. Surely she saw that.

aIn that case, my lord,a she said, raising her head to face him, ayes, I should very much like to go.a aWhat the devil did you say?a aI said Iad really like to go. And as you said, it matters not if it snows.a He wasnat at all certain now that shead understood his apology. Did she want to go just because Clarendon would be there? He didnat know. He eyed her with growing frustration.

aI donat like this marriage business,a he said finally, rose from the table, flung down his napkin, and strode from the dining room.

aI know you donat,a she called after him. aAs a matter of fact, I donat much like it either.a Yes, she thought, staring again toward the window, this marriage business is the very devil.

Sabrina walked slowly to the windows and pressed her cheek to the chill gla.s.s. She supposed shead wanted to goad him, and she had succeeded, not that it had solved anything.

She wandered into the library. For want of anything better to do, she pulled out a novel from one of the lower shelves and curled up in a curtained window seat.

She opened the small vellum tome of Voltaire and forced herself to concentrate on the French that was surely br.i.m.m.i.n.g with wit. Her attention soon wandered to the light flakes of snow that pattered gently against the windowpane, dissolved into small drops of water, and streaked in slender rivulets down the gla.s.s. She traced the brief existence of each splas.h.i.+ng snowflake with the tip of her finger.

She must have dozed, for her head snapped up at the sound of voices in the library.

aI merely wanted to ask you, my lord,a she heard Paul Blackador say to Phillip, afor it indeed is a strange bill to receive from a tradesman.a She was alert in an instant. Phillipas voice held her utterly still.

aAh yes, the carpenter. Martine told me he was a saucy one. For your information, Paul, I had thought Iad be smashed during the night by a piece of falling plaster in the bedroom. Do pay the man.a Sabrinaas fingers tightened about the thin book until she could picture the male grins on their faces. Shead never felt such fury in her entire life. Well, maybe she had, but all her grand fury had happened only since shead met Phillip.

aThereas another bill, my lord, for a gown from Madame Giselle. The total, I think, is a trifle excessive.a Sabrina heard the brief rustling of paper as, she supposed, the bill changed hands.

aIt is a bit much,a Phillip said, without much interest. aAs Iam off to see the lady, Iall ask her about it. Anything else pressing, Paul?a There was nothing more except a speech about the Corn Laws that Paul wanted him to present to the House of Lords. After a bit of discussion, Phillip left, Paul after him.

The library door closed upon the rest of Paulas words. Sabrina bounded from her hiding place and shook her fist at the closed door. She had married the greatest hypocrite imaginable. She was to remain chastea"he was even jealous of Richard Clarendona"while he continued doing what head always done.

Phillip had told her to cease being a spiritless old horse. Very well, she would certainly grant him his wish. She felt life and rage sing in her blood.

She found Martine Nicholsbyas direction on the carpenteras bill. She memorized the address on Fitton Place, then tossed the paper back on its neat stack.

Ten minutes later, a warm cloak around her and gloves on her hands, she met Greybar in the entrance hall. He was staring at her, as if shead suddenly become someone else. Well, she had.

aHis lords.h.i.+p has left, Greybar?a At his nod, she said then, aCall me a hackney. I wish to leave right now, no longer than a minute from now.a For a minute it looked like he would question her. She gave him the most arrogant look shead ever seen her grandfather make. It worked.

Thirty minutes later Sabrina found herself staring at a two-story brick town house, sandwiched between other houses in a very quiet, unpretentious street, not a mile from Phillipas house. She pulled her ermine-lined cloak more closely about her and stepped quickly from the hackney. From the corner of her eye, Sabrina saw Lans...o...b.., Phillipas tiger, climb into the box and prepare to drive the curricle around the corner. How like Phillip, she thought, to ensure that his horses received the proper exercise while he made love to his mistress inside. She wondered how long poor Lans...o...b.. was to tool the curricle about before fetching his master. Sabrina saw Lans...o...b..as jaw drop open when he spotted her. He gazed at her dumbly, shaking his head.

Sabrina turned her back on him, walked up the front steps, raised her gloved hand, and pounded upon the door.

After some moments the door slid cautiously open and a frowning maidas face appeared.

aWhat do you want?a aI want my husband,a Sabrina said coldly, and shoved the door open, knocking the maid aside. She was standing in a square entranceway. On one side she could see into a small drawing room. Straight ahead of her was a slightly winding staircase that led to the upper floor. She heard a light, tinkling laugh from above, and without further thought, she grasped her skirts and rushed to the stairs.

aOh, Gawd, wait, miss, wait! You canat go up there.a aYou just watch me,a Sabrina said over her shoulder, and began running up the stairs. She followed the sound of a womanas lovely husky voice from inside a room. The door stood some inches open. She stood for an instant, indecisive. At the sound of Phillipas low laugh, she pushed the door open and rushed inside. She drew up short, panting.

She stood inside a large bedchamber, dominated by a huge bed. Upon the bed a woman lay upon her back, clothed in nothing but alabaster skin. In an instant, Sabrina took in every detail of her exquisite body. She looked like a painting, d.a.m.n her.

But it was Phillip who quickly captured her attention. He was standing next to the bed, his cravat hanging loose, his coat flung over a chair. At least he wasnat naked, but it didnat matter. He would have been as naked as his mistress in another three minutes.

The brief frozen tableau suddenly turned into furious life.

Phillip, who had been laughing at Martineas verbal baiting of him, turned to see his wife burst into the bedchamber.

He stared at her openmouthed, incredulous, disbelieving. Then he yelled, aWhat the devil are you doing here?a

38.

aMy goodness,a Martine said, rising on her elbow as she slowly pulled her peignoir over her lovely self. aI hadnat expected this.a Sabrina looked again at his now nearly naked mistress, and yelled back at him, aI wish the plaster had fallen on your head while you were making love to her, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d! How dare you even be here? It makes me want to slay you, Phillip. d.a.m.n you, youare my husband!a aWhat are you yammering about plaster? Oh! So you were eavesdropping, were you? Not a very ladylike thing to do, Sabrina.a He stopped. Head never felt such a fool in his life. Dammit, this couldnat be happening, not to him. It was more worthy of a farce in Drury Lane. He took several furious steps toward her.

aLadylike! You rotter, youare mine, yet you wonat even give me a chance.a aItas true that youare my wife, and as such, why the devil arenat you at home, where you belong?a aItas your home, you faithless b.a.s.t.a.r.d, not mine. I donat belong there, I merely reside there. She could reside there as well. It wouldnat matter to you.a aDammit, Sabrina, that makes no sense at all. I wonat tolerate any more of this. Go home now. Iall deal with you later.a aLater? You mean after youave bedded her? Then perhaps youall have time to spend with me? How kind you are. My heart nearly expires with the joy of it.a aWhat I do with her is none of your business. Youare the one who offered me my freedom, freedom I told you I already had and always would have.a aYou dared to accuse me of flirting with Richard Clarendon and all the while you have a mistress. A mistress!a Sabrina waved toward Martine who was sitting on the side of the bed. aHow dare you do this to me? Do I mean so little to you that you donat hesitate to humiliate me? Does our marriage mean so little to you?a aEnough of this idiocy. Listen. Our marriage, madam, was meant to provide you a home and the protection of my name. You wanted that, donat you remember? You offered me marriage, donat you remember? You offered me my freedom.a She actually shook her fist at him, yelling, aThat was then. This is now. I love you. Youare my husband. I wonat allow you any more freedom unless the freedom is with me!a She looked over at Martine to see the woman smiling at her, nodding. It made no sense. It didnat stop her. aI know that she is beautiful and much more nicely put together than I am, but she didnat get ruined, I did. You didnat have to marry her, you had to marry me. So itas done. Accept it, d.a.m.n you.a aAccept it like I did when I saw you take Richard Clarendon into that very private little room of yours?a aWill you forever play that same tired song? Itas absurd, and you know it.a Then her eyes narrowed, her hands were on her hips. aWell, perhaps you werenat wrong. Perhaps Richard is so pleasing to me that I just might go see him right now while you remain here to enjoy yourself.a aYou wonat take Richard Clarendon as your lover. You wonat take any man as a lover.a She stared at him, unable to believe his perversity.

He smote his forehead with his palm. aAh, youare driving me to the brink of madness. Go home, Sabrina. I wonat take any more of this. Get out of here. By G.o.d, youare ranting like the lowest trollop in Soho.a aYou b.a.s.t.a.r.d,a she screamed at him. aI catch you with your mistress and you have the gall to call me a trollop?a She ran at him, pounding on his chest with her fists with all her strength.

Martine came to her feet, then just shook her head and sat back down again.

Phillip clamped his arms about his wife and dragged her to the small dressing room adjoining the bedchamber. He kicked the door closed with his booted foot. aStop it, Sabrina, stop it.a He was shaking her until her neck snapped back.

She became rigid in his arms and he released her. She took a stumbling step backward. She opened her mouth, but he interrupted her.

aYour behavior is inexcusable. You wonat question what I do. Now you will take yourself quietly away from here, else I will seriously consider sending you to Dinwitty Manor to learn your place.a aMy place? I donat have a place, Phillip. Now that Iave seen how youave humiliated me, stripped me of even any pretense of wortha"a She broke off. aYou donat even understand, do you?a aI understand enough to want to thrash you,a he said low and grabbed her shoulders.

Sabrina drove her knee with all her strength into his groin. He dropped his hands and stared at her in amazement. aIam a big man. You could have kicked me anywhere but there.a Then he doubled over in pain.

Sabrina ran from the small dressing room. She wouldnat think about him holding himself, on his knees. She pulled the door open and, without another look at his mistress, fled from the bedchamber.

For several minutes Phillip thought death would be preferable to the exquisite bowing pain that had brought him to his knees. As the bouts of nausea slowly lessened, thank G.o.d, it was Sabrinaas death he thought about. He pulled himself shakily to his feet and walked slowly back into the bedchamber. Without a word, he pulled on his coat.

aYou look whiter than a troutas belly. What happened?a aShe kicked me in the groin,a he said as he grabbed his greatcoat.