But he needed her to trust him. He quickly surmised the best way to do this called for drastic measures. He would attempt some honesty.
Stephen waited a few moments and then tried again. “I am acquainted with your father. I was unaware until tonight, however, that he had a daughter.”
Lady Kensington frowned. “How would you know him? My father is not an aristocrat.”
“I spend most of my time tending to my own business, my lady. I was born into the aristocracy but to the younger son. I do not live an idle life.” Even when he’d lived with his uncle, he’d never approved of the indulgent lifestyle he’d been exposed to. He’d applied his energy toward his studies, and later, his uncle’s business and responsibilities.
He steered them around another couple and then twirled her again. Hehadbeen taught to dance. He was a gentleman, after all, even while buried up to his eyeballs in trade.
As was her father.
Cecily closed hereyes and allowed Flave’s cousin to expertly lead her around the floor. He smelled nice. And beneath her hands he felt firm… solid. Yes, this cousin of her husband would have no need of padding. Apparently, Mr. Nottingham was more different from Flave than one would guess. She couldn’t imagine Flavion actuallyworking. In fact, he had quite expertly mastered the art ofplaying. “You are in shipping as well? And imports?”
“Essentially, yes. Your father is one of my toughest competitors. I must admit to you, however, that most of our meetings have not been of an amicable nature.” He paused a moment and then added, “Your father can be an extremely ruthless man.”
Cecily shrugged. This was not news to her. “My father will not be happy when he learns of Flavion’s treachery.”
Cecily could sense Mr. Nottingham nodding slowly. “Ah, so you will run to daddy to fix things for you?”
She stumbled and jerked away before he pulled her close and continued leading them through the steps of the dance. She did not like his implication that she was a weak-willed, dependent little girl. With her father half-a-world away, he could do nothing to help her.
Perhaps shewouldtake matters into her own hands.
Not by trulymurderingFlavion, of course, but Sophia’s seduction idea — dishonoring Flave so that he’d demand a divorce — was growing more and more attractive. And Mr. Nottingham, well, he was looking more and more seducible. Being held by him was somewhat… comforting. She had to fight the ridiculous urge to lay her head upon his shoulder. Perhaps she’d had aweebit too much to drink.
No, as emboldened as she felt, she knew there was noperhapsabout it.
She looked up and studied Mr. Nottingham’s eyes. They were fringed with dark brown lashes that contrasted with his lighter-colored hair. His face wasn’t perfect, like Flave’s, but this perhaps added to his attractiveness. Emily had the right of it. He was manlier than Flave, more like her father. Was he ruthless like her father, as well?
Whiskers darkened his strong jaw as though several hours had passed since he’d last shaved. His lips looked firm, but soft. What would it be like to be kissed by this man?
Could she do it?
Flavion’s betrayal had changed her forever, shockingly so. Suddenly, she found herself numb to the rules of Society. Painstakingly drilled into her over the past few years, the dictates of thetonheld little to no meaning for her now. She no longer cared if she curtseyed properly, ate with the correct utensils or eluded gossips. Apparently, she would shun the imperatives of morality as well.
How did one go about seducing a gentleman? She was not a practiced courtesan by any means, but Mr. Nottingham, she believed, was not immune to her. On the marriage mart, her looks had never been a problem. Her low birth, her lack of gentility had. Even with a large dowry, most gentlemen had refused to consider her for matrimony.
Until Flavion.
He had made her feel like she was the only woman in the world. He’d touched her tenderly, secretly whispered romantic poetry in her ear, and gazed longingly into her eyes.
She pulled back and looked contemplatively at Mr. Nottingham. He watched her closely. Cecily smiled and tilted her head to the side. “What else would you suggest I do?”
Stephen was caughtquite unawares by Lady Kensington’s smile. Years had passed since he’d last danced with a true Englishwoman. There were beautiful women all over the world, but none of them were quite as fresh and wholesome as the women of his own country. And this one was no exception.
What had he suggested to her? He’d accused her of running to her father to fix things, and she, in turn, had asked what other alternative she had. Ah, yes.
“Well, firstly, you might consider what you can do to improve the circumstances of your marriage. You are a beautiful woman. Surely you can imagine numerous ways to recapture your husband’s attention?” Something inside him resisted encouraging her thusly, but he persisted nonetheless. “Is it Flavion’s attraction to Miss Cunnington that’s giving you trouble? Well, in the few moments that I’ve had a chance to discuss it with him, it is fleeting, at best. He is no more in love with her than he is in love with—”
“With me?” Lady Kensington interrupted before he could complete his sentence.
“Well, yes, but…” He staved off another interruption with a stern look. “…sheis not his wife.Shedoes not have access to his bed every night. You,” he said very pointedly, “do.” He did not consider himself to be telling her an untruth. For he knew of no one more fickle than his cousin.
Lady Kensington took a deep breath and then let out a considerably heartfelt sigh. “I do comprehend what you are suggesting, but I am afraid that neither of those two things gives me much of an advantage at all.” She looked up into his eyes and pouted. “I, well…”
“Yes.” Stephen encouraged her to continue. It seemed perhaps he could clean up this mess easier than he’d first thought. If the countess were willing to give Flavion another chance,surelyStephen could convince Flave to treat his wife with some affection and respect. In addition to that, Flave must give up Miss Cunnington, for now at least. A murderous father-in-law ought to be incentive enough for Flavion to adjust his current lifestyle.
“Mr. Nottingham,Stephen, I am very much afraid that I do not know how to please my husband in… in the boudoir.” Her eyes took on a shining quality, as though they had filled with unshed tears. “I don’t have any idea as to what to do to… well… tosatisfyhim.”
