Seduction in Mind

Chapter Sixteen

"Look what Sam brought us, Mama!" Six-year-old Jeremy Lennox waved his new golf club in a wide arc over his head, narrowly missing the Meissen shepherdess group on the drawing room table.

"And me too, Mama!" his four-year-old brother screamed, running in behind Jeremy, his club held high. "We been shooting golfs all morning."

The ladies sitting in a group around the tea table reacted in a variety of ways. Those who had children of their own smiled in understanding. Hedy Alworth drew back in distaste. Mariana Monteque said, "Not shooting golfs, playing golf, young Benjamin," because she ran a seminary for young ladies and prided herself on her scholarship. Alex smiled and held out her hand. "Show me your new clubs. I love golf."

"See!" Ben shrieked, smashing his club against the carpet. "It won't break no matter what!"

"They're from Watson's and made for us," the elder brother said, politely offering his club to Alex.

"He makes the very best, doesn't he?" Alex balanced the weight in her hand. "I think that might work for me."

"You could try our putting green in back." Jeremy spoke with a grown-up seriousness. He glanced at his mother. "Couldn't she, Mama?"

"Of course. Feel free, Alex. Perhaps after lunch," Evelina offered. "Now, you boys run along and wash your hands, because lunch will be served soon and you and your papa are going to join us."

"And Sam too!" Ben piped up. "He's sitting by me!" he proudly proclaimed.

As the boys ran from the room, Hedy Alworth leaned forward in her chair. "Sam is here?" she asked Evelina.

"Yes, he's been helping the boys with their golf this morning."

Alex could feel her cheeks become warm and eased back into her chair so no one would notice. But as quickly, she reminded herself that she was bound to meet Ranelagh on more than one social occasion and she would have to respond with suitable composure-not like some young girl just out of the schoolroom.

"Why didn't you say he was coming?" Hedy complained. "I would have worn something more fashionable."

"I'm sure your gown is quite lovely enough, Hedy," Evelina replied graciously. "And Marcus didn't mention Sam was coming over until this morning."

"Ranelagh's always had a tendre for me." Hedy touched her blond curls with a coquettish gesture.

"You and a thousand others," Susannah Dudley noted dryly.

"Well, he never looked at you at all."

Unlike Hedy, Susannah knew better than to throw herself at someone like Sam Lennox. She'd selected her husband for his wealth rather than his looks. "I'm happily married, Hedy."

Hedy sniffed and Evelina said diplomatically, "I'm sure lunch is nearly ready. Why don't we move into the dining room." Susannah and Hedy both considered themselves great beauties and their bickering rivalry could be trying. "And we have to decide what we're going to read for next week," she added, rising from her chair. "What does everyone think of Dostoyevsky's new Diary of a Writer?"

As the ladies moved down the corridor, they discussed various books while Alex wondered how she was going to deal with the sight of Ranelagh in so public a venue.

After last night.

A shiver raced down her spine at the recall of their heated passion.

But she forced her thoughts onto more temperate ground; it would never do to appear wistful or yearning or in full chase like Hedy. Ranelagh had enough females pursuing him. She had no wish to be added to those numbers.

She took a steadying breath, however, before entering the dining room. She experienced a moment of relief when she found the room unoccupied save for the servants. Maybe he wouldn't appear after all. And the quiver in the pit of her stomach would go away.

"We're informal, as you know," Evelina remarked, ushering her guests toward the table. "Please sit where you like." She waved toward one end of the table. "We'll save those chairs for the men."

Hedy insisted on taking her seat closest to the indicated chairs, as did Mariana Monteque, Alex noted with some surprise. Mariana wasn't a young woman, although the designation spinster had always annoyed Alex. It seemed an unfair label. Why shouldn't Mariana have an interest in Ranelagh if she wished, Alex charitably reflected. Surely she had as good a claim on him as anyone.

When the men and boys arrived, Sam and his brother greeted everyone in a general salutation and then seated themselves with a casualness that calmed Alex's apprehensions. Ranelagh had set the tone; surely she could be as blase.

As it turned out, Mariana and Sam were friends of long standing, their common interest a marked enthusiasm for golf. Much to Hedy's annoyance, Sam and Mariana spent a considerable time discussing the game.

Sam was equally gracious to his nephews, who obviously worshiped him, Alex observed, surreptitiously watching their easy companionship. Who would have thought London's most celebrated libertine would turn out to be so warm-hearted toward children?

Of course, she'd had her own heady experience with his kindness.

He was the most unselfish of lovers.

"Really, Mariana!" Hedy exclaimed as dessert was being served, vexed at being so long ignored by the object of her pursuit. "You have completely monopolized Lord Ranelagh. There are those of us who have things to discuss with him as well!"

"Forgive us." Sam smiled politely. "Mariana's a better golfer than I, and I can always use some instruction."

"Me too!" Ben declared cheerfully through a mouthful of charlotte.

"Indeed," Hedy replied, casting an annoyed look at the boy before turning an expression of adoration on Sam. "Lord Ranelagh, let me congratulate you on your horse's win at Ascot. I couldn't help but notice, he was sired by Fernie Bey, who is related to my jumper. Have you had Invincible long?"

"Three years. And he's been a sweet goer from the beginning."

"Sam let me ride him, didn't you, Sam?" Ben cried. "And I went really, really fast on him, didn't I, Sam?"

"Faster than anyone," his uncle agreed pleasantly.

"Yes, I'm sure you did," Hedy noted curtly. "I was wondering, Lord Ranelagh, if you might ride in the park with us when my brother comes to town. Oliver has the most wonderful black out of Bright League." The Alworths were all first-rate riders, and Hedy wished to show off her equestrian skills.

"If my schedule allows," Sam replied politely.

Hedy offered him a winning smile. "I'll have Oliver send you a note."

Sam nodded in a clearly evasive way.

Coming to his brother's rescue, Marcus glanced down the table at his wife. "If you'll excuse us, Evie. Sam and I still have some work to do on our course plans."

Sam caught his brother's eye. "It can wait."

Hedy preened.

"Can we play some more golf after lunch, Sam?" Jeremy asked, not wishing to miss out on his uncle's time.

"In a few minutes," the viscount replied quietly, pushing his chair back and rising. As he walked down the length of the table, every luncheon guest followed his progress with rapt interest.

Alex stiffened at his approach.

He spoke very softly when he reached her, but the room was so expectantly quiet, his words were clearly audible to all. "Miss Ionides, might I impose on you for a moment?"

Uncomfortable as the center of attention, and uncertain how to deal with such brazenness, Alex glanced at her hostess.

After her husband's comments concerning Sam's interest in Alex, Evelina had anticipated something audacious from her brother-in-law and she quickly stepped into the breach. "Sam was hoping you could give him some information on Sir Leighton," she improvised.

"If you wouldn't mind, Miss Ionides." His voice was bland.

"No… of course not," Alex stammered.

He was already reaching for her hand as a footman leaped forward to pull out her chair. "Excuse us," the viscount said to the table at large, pulling Alex to her feet. Tucking her hand under his arm, he drew her away, the silence in the room so oppressive, even the boys fell mute.

Once the dining room door closed on them, Alex cast him a sardonic glance. "Hedy will be annoyed."

He gazed down at her. "You look wonderful in green and you were sitting too far away and Hedy Alworth is as insipid as usual, so please don't waste your breath."

"She said you have a tendre for her."

"But then, she's an idiot, as you must have noticed. This isn't your first time at the reading group, Marcus tells me."

"And what else did Marcus tell you?"

"He told me not to embarrass him, but then, I didn't care to sit through a long afternoon on the slim hope I might have a chance to talk to you alone, away from everyone."

"I see."

"I adore that prim tone."

"You're compromising me, Sam."

"You mean them?" He nodded back down the corridor.

"Of course them. Hedy has the biggest mouth in town, and she's not going to sit idle while I take away her beau."

"Is that what you're doing?"

She blushed. "I didn't mean it that way, and you know it."

Stopping, he backed her up against the wall gently, and bending low so their eyes were level, he whispered, "How did you mean it?"

"In the most generic, sensible way," she said, trying not to notice how his powerful body dwarfed hers, trying not to remember how exquisitely he utilized that brute strength. "Because Hedy's after you and not afraid to tell the world."

"You're not intimidated by Hedy Alworth, are you?"

"Only by her nasty tongue. There's my mother, if you recall, who has this misguided notion of what a lady should be. And"-Alex sighed-"much as I wish to ignore my family, there are limits to my indiscretions."

"And I'm the limit?"

"No, Hedy Alworth's malevolent interpretation of your actions toward me may be the limit, Not for me personally," she explained quickly. "But for my family."

He leaned closer, his eyes so near she could feel the heat. "So if I were to deal with… our friendship… with the utmost discretion," he softly suggested, "I could make love to you again?"

She shut her eyes against the wave of desire that flared through her body. "That's not fair," she breathed.

"I'm not interested in being fair." His voice was velvety and low. "I'm interested in having you in my bed-just as soon as possible. Or better yet, we could go upstairs and find an empty room."

"Under other circumstances…" She looked at him from under her lashes, a feverish warmth in her eyes. "I might be willing."

"As I recall, you're always willing."

She shivered. "Don't do this to me. Not here. Not now."

"When… where? Tell me."

"Sam, please-what do you want me to say in this corridor where someone may intrude any second?"

"I don't know, but you've been on my mind constantly since you left me." He softly inhaled. "And I feel like carrying you away right now, and to hell with everything."

"Lord, no…" she breathed. "You can't…"

"Tell me about it," he muttered.

"We have to be sensible." She was trembling.

"Or Hedy will be troublesome," he said with a sigh.

She nodded.

He bent to kiss her, his mouth gentle, lingering, reminding her of their first kiss at her garden gate. But then her lips parted beneath his, her passions immune to rational thought, and as his tongue slipped inside her mouth and the hard length of his erection pressed into her stomach, she gently sighed.

He growled low in his throat, pulling her closer so she felt the imprint of his arousal swell against her, his tongue exploring her mouth as though in prelude, and for a tenuous moment of unalloyed pleasure, they melted into each other.

Then with a soft groan he raised his head. "I think we've discussed Sir Leighton long enough, Miss Ionides," he said, half breathless with the fierceness of his need. Restraining his urges, he took a step backward. "May I escort you back before it's too late?"

"Thank you," she whispered, her pulses racing. "Because I'm not sure I had the resolve."

Running his hands through his dark hair, he exhaled softly. "No sense in letting Hedy Alworth eat you up." Smiling faintly, he ran his fingertip over the curve of her jaw. "I'm reserving that pleasure for myself. So send your carriage away. You're going home with me."

She nervously brushed his hand away. "Just make sure you don't sit anywhere near me. I'm not sure I can survive the afternoon if you do."

"Nor could I. I'll take the boys outside," he offered. "But once everyone leaves, you're coming home with me."

"If I could say no, I would."

"There's my girl."

"I'm not your girl." She grinned. "Hedy's your girl."

He winked. "Not likely, when I'm crazy for you. But, I warn you, my patience is limited."

"And I remind you, you don't want another note from my father tonight."

He grimaced. "I'll try to behave."

"And I'll endeavor to ignore Hedy's sniping remarks when I return."

"I'd be happy to put her in her place."

"But then that wouldn't be very useful to me."

He shut his eyes briefly. "I know. Lord almighty, discretion isn't my style."

"Then you'll have to learn."

"For you, I'll try."

When they reentered the luncheon room, conversation momentarily ceased and Alex was escorted back to her chair in a hush.

"Thank you, Miss Ionides, for your useful information." Sam bowed politely. Turning to Evelina, he said, "I'm taking the boys down to the lake if you don't mind."

Both boys uttered whoops of delight, leaped from their chairs, and raced toward their uncle, restoring a degree of normalcy to the scene.

But once the men and boys had gone, as expected Alex immediately faced Hedy's catechism.

"What did he want to know about Sir Leighton?" she asked sharply, leaning out over her plate to send a piercing glance Alex's way.

She wished to say "It's none of your affair," but said instead, with what politeness she could muster, "Ranelagh is thinking of buying a painting."

"Why would he ask you?" It was a blatantly rude query, since Alex's artistic talents were well known.

"Ranelagh knew Sir Leighton and I are old friends."

"He could have asked you his questions here, couldn't he?"

"I'm sure I don't know what motivates the viscount," Alex said as calmly as possible, considering Hedy was glaring at her.

"In any event, it doesn't matter," Evelina interjected. "You know Sam. He's always been brash and impulsive." She swept the table with a glance. "We're all finished here, aren't we? Why don't we go out on the terrace for a glass of champagne?"

"Well, that certainly was discreet," Marcus drawled as the men followed in the wake of the boys racing down to the lake.

"When I'm in this crazed mood, discretion isn't high on my list of priorities," Sam stated. "You're lucky I didn't carry her upstairs."

His brother scrutinized him with a small frown.

"And you needn't say anything about not hurting her, because I won't. In fact, if anyone gets hurt in this damnable relationship, it'll probably be me."

"You're serious."

"Hell yes. All I want to do is take her to bed and keep her there."

"What's so different about that?" his brother queried with a cynical gaze.

"Because it's one woman-the same woman, that's what's different. And I haven't even known her two days yet." The viscount sighed. "Lord, I hope this obsession is fleeting."

Marcus's voice was touched with sympathy. "This has to be a first for you."

"It's damned alarming." Sam's teeth flashed white in a grin. "When it's not damned sensational."

"I'm not sure how to put this tactfully, considering your past, but might this-er-sensational feeling be love?"

Ranelagh snorted. "God, no. You don't fall in love with someone so quickly."

"It happens."

"How would you know? You practically grew up with Evelina."

"But I fell in love with her at Christmas all those years ago-as we were singing 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.' "

Sam glared at his brother. "That's not real helpful."

"Think of all the women you'd leave pining," Marcus teased. "Should you be taken off the market, so to speak."

The viscount scowled. "This isn't a joke. I can't stay with one woman." He shook his head in bewilderment. "It's impossible."

"If you love her, it's not impossible."

"You're different, Marc. You've always been a better person than I, more conscientious, more exemplary in every way. I don't want to settle down."

"How do you know unless you try?"

"I did once-that was enough. And, Jesus, there are too many women in the world."

His brother shrugged. "Maybe it won't be a concern. You said Miss Ionides is as uninterested in permanence as you."

"Don't remind me," Sam scoffed.

"Oh, ho!" Marcus grinned. "A taste of your own medicine."

"I hope you're amused," Sam grumbled.

"Entertained, certainly. I didn't think I'd ever see the day."

"Well, you have, and I hope you're happy, because I'm hellishly cranky and bloody close to whisking Alex away, convention be damned."

"It shouldn't be long now," his brother said kindly. "The ladies generally leave soon after lunch."

But not everyone did. Hedy refused to depart.