“Let’s try witch hazel,” she said. “I don’t much care to smell ofvinegar all day. Then you can buy me some face paint in case I have to goout later.”
When the maid had gone, Beth recalled Lucien’s parting words. They weregoing to eliminate their anxiety. She experienced the mix of trepidationand anticipation she had lived with for days, weeks even, but nowanticipation was definitely in the ascendant. She knew, however, the sightof her bruise was going to upset him. He deserved to be upset, but shedidn’t want it to spoil the night. When Redcliff returned, she applied thewitch hazel compresses conscientiously.
Beth was sitting at her desk reading, her cheek propped upon the pad inher hand when Lucien came into her boudoir. She hastily dropped the moistcloth and smiled at him, keeping her face turned slightly away. It didlittle good. He came straight over and took her chin to angle her cheek tothe light. His lips tightened. He did not look well-rested.
“It would serve me right if you never wanted to be alone with meagain,” he said.
“How ridiculous,” Beth said. “And most improper, too.”
It at least elicited a twitch of humor. “Shy, are we?”
“I can’t speak for you, but I would at least consider myselfmodest.”
“ ‘Ways without reproach, unadorned simplicity and blushing modesty,’”he quoted with a smile.
Beth knew she was making his words true by blushing even as she lookeda question. She did not recognize the quotation.
“Ovid,” he said with a triumphant grin. “TheAmoves.I rather suspected Miss Mallory wouldn’t go quite thatfar in your liberal education.”
“I’m surprised Harrow went that far in yours,” Beth responded.
“Cambridge. There’s absolutely no limit to what one can learn atCambridge. Isn’t it wise they don’t allow ladies there?”
Beth had opened her mouth to plunge into this argument when she saw theteasing look in his. “Picking a fight, My Lord Marquess?” she askedsweetly.
He perched on the edge of her desk and took her hand. “It did cross mymind that if we had a flaming row and I didn’t raise a finger it mightrestore your confidence.”
“Do I appear nervous?” she responded and raised his hand to kiss it.“Forget it, Lucien, please. I know it will never happen again. Hopefullythose circumstances will never occur again.”
“But you have feared me from the first,” he said, standing up anddrawing her into his arms. “And see how right you were.”
“No,” she said, snuggling comfortably against him. “This has reassuredme. Pushed to your worst you’ve hardly hurt me and you’re so very unhappyabout it.”
His lips came down in a sudden, ardent kiss that spoke of contritionand caring. And desire. Beth was beginning to think of morning love whenthe door opened and Redcliff breezed right in.
“I got it, milady ? Excuse me!”
The maid disappeared, but Lucien reluctantly drew back. “I actuallycame to excuse myself for most of the day, Beth. I’m supposed to be racingViking against Stephenham’s Major Grey over at Richmond. I’d much ratherstay here with you, but all the arrangements are made and bets have beenlaid. Do you mind?”
“Of course not, Lucien,” Beth lied. “But what about Clarissa?”
“There’s no urgency,” he said carelessly. “She’s safe enough. Give ittime.”
“But what if her parents don’t believe that I haven’t seen her? What ifthey try to make trouble?”
He was all de Vaux. “Here?” he said in amazement. “They wouldn’t dare.Have a peaceful, restful day, my love.” He dropped a kiss on her lips.There was a wicked twinkle in his eye. “Have a long, restful nap inpreparation for the night.”
Beth’s heart speeded. “While you gallop around on Viking all day?” shequeried.
“Practice,” he said blithely and made a quick exit.
Beth burst into laughter though she knew her cheeks must be flaming.Thoughts of the night wound around her, making her hot, nervy, andrestless.
Her contentment with being secluded in her room evaporated. She neededaction and fresh air. Still, she was reluctant to show her face inSociety. When Redclfff returned, they experimented with the cosmeticcream, which did disguise the worst of the darkening. The maid thendressed Beth’s hair with side curls. It was not a style she favored, butit helped with the concealment. The addition of a Pamela bonnet with alarge bow at the side completed the effect. Turning from side to side infront of the mirror, Beth was sure her bruise was unnoticeable.
But where to go?
She flicked through her invitations and found none of interest. Thenshe went through the listings Lucien had given her. A talk by ProfessorRichards on his travels to China, a musicale at Lady Rossiter’s, areception for Mrs. Edgeworth. . . . She had intended to go to that as shemuch admired the author ofCastle RackrentandTales of Fashionable Life.She looked at the mantel clock. Therewas still time. Beth sighed. Today she could not do justice to such aninteresting speaker.
