Cedric fingered the stack of cards Ashton had abandoned on the table. "You know, Ash, you are not my favorite friend at the moment."Ashton chuckled. "You wound me, Cedric."Cedric huffed and listened to the sounds of feminine chatter. Emily and Horatia were with Anne, all three ladies whispering by the small fire in the hearth. He could hear the logs pop and snap. While the spring was relatively warm, today had been cooler than most."What has Ash done to deserve your displeasure?" Jonathan asked, the newest to their League. His blond hair and green eyes, not to mention the familial resemblance to his older brother Godric, made him nothing short of a young Adonis. He was more reserved when out among the ton at social gatherings than the other members of the League. Having lived most of his life as a servant, he was still unsure of himself when it came to the upper class and trying to act as one of their equals. He hadn't been aware that he was Godric's half brother until last Septe
The following evening Anne took Cedric's offered arm and allowed him to escort her through the throng of people gathered in the foyer of Covent Garden's Royal Opera House. The strong scents of unwashed bodies and groups of low-necklined Cyprian ladies clinging to the men were an unwelcome sight, but Covent Garden was a blend of middle and upper classes that couldn't be avoided."God's teeth," Cedric muttered as a buxom woman fell against him, laughing raucously. He shoved her to the side with his lion's head cane."You are lucky, my lord, that you cannot see. The sight is most unpleasant," Anne confided to her escort. Cedric responded with a grunt of agreement and let her lead him in the direction of the stairs that would take them to his box.A tall, fair-haired man blocked their path to the stairs. She froze like a rabbit caught in a snare. She'd never forget that man, or his pale eyes. The very sight of him chilled her blood.Crispin Andrews.He was the last man on earth she wa
The audience broke into applause and the emerald curtains dropped down, covering the stage from view."That was wonderful," Anne admitted."I found the story to be most captivating," Cedric replied."Do you know it?" She hadn't thought he'd studied operas, only attended them."I had Ashton read me the summary so I might have something to picture in my mind. Is Matilde as beautiful to Corradino as she sounds?" Cedric asked, his lips lifting into the ghost of a smile."Yes. She is very beautiful. I believe Corradino's reaction to her is what is so enchanting. He sees only her, wants only her. It would be something, to be desired like that." Anne ended with a sigh and looked toward the stage bereft of the lively actors.Cedric lifted her hand and brushed his lips on her open palm, making her shiver. She turned back to him, entranced by the sight of his mouth exploring her hand. He licked the center of her palm, and the spike of his tongue sparked the place between her thighs to life
The small white card propped against the vanity mirror spelled out Anne's fate in delicate script.You are cordially invited to Chessley Manorfor a wedding breakfast to celebrate the marriage ofLady Anne Isabelle Chessley toLord Cedric Alexander Sheridan."Am I truly doing this?" she asked aloud.Emily stood behind Anne, her beautiful figure highlighted in a pale blue silk bridesmaid's gown. "Anne, you are in a wedding dress waiting for a carriage to take you to St. George's. Either this is some elaborate prank you've dreamed up to shock all of London, or you are doing this."Anne fidgeted, her hands running over her silver silk gown trimmed with Honiton lace on the bodice, sleeves and hem. The door to Anne's bedchamber opened and Horatia peeked inside. Both she and Emily were wearing lovely matching gowns with small tulle veils."Emily, our carriage is here. Cedric and the men have departed for the church. It is our turn." Horatia flashed a radiant smile in Anne's direction
Charles muttered to himself as he examined two suspicious grooves in the frosting on his slice of wedding cake. "I say, I believe someone had a taste of this before I did.""Just eat it," Cedric said gruffly as he used a spoon on his own slice. Dear, sweet Anne had brought him a spoon, remembering his aversion to sharper utensils."Righto, old boy." Charles dug into the rich cake and had a bite before speaking again. "I didn't believe you actually meant to go through with this, you know. But somewhere between the ring exchange and the vows it occurred to me that you genuinely care for your wife.""Of course I care for her.""I mean you truly care. I think you may be in danger of falling in love with her." Falling in love was uttered with all of the excitement of a doctor discovering an outbreak of plague.Cedric found Charles's shoulder and jostled it in a brotherly fashion. "Well don't become joyous on my account."All around them the Chessley morning room was filled with guests
Anne woke early in the morning, the dawn's pale light only a drab gray presence behind the curtains. Although the bed was empty, she had the strangest notion that it hadn't been a short while ago. Blinking and delicately yawning, she stretched her limbs and got up.She then realized she was still in her own home, her bedchamber at Chessley Manor. She had never made it to Cedric's townhouse last night after the long celebration. What had happened? Surely the man hadn't wanted to be deprived of his wedding night? Anne vaguely recalled easing into Cedric's lap in the parlor and getting drowsy beneath his gentle touch. After that, her memory faded. Where was her husband now?Husband. It was such an odd word, and it had forced its way into her daily vocabulary now."Madam?" A young upstairs maid poked her head inside Anne's bedchamber."Come in, Nellie."The maid bore a tray of tea and scones that smelled delicious. Anne's stomach rumbled in agreement."His lordship thought you might
Anne had developed a painful habit of handwringing by the time she and Cedric arrived at the Sheridan estate on the outskirts of Brighton. Rushton Steading, the vast ancestral home of the Sheridan family, was intimidating. The estate was mainly wooded areas where dark copses of trees hunkered down at the road's edge like silent sentinels. Anne drew in a shocked breath as their traveling coach rounded the nearest outcropping of forest and her new world opened up before her. The house itself was a grand mansion made of white stone, a bright beacon amidst the heavy emerald backdrop."Do you like it?" Cedric's voice was soft against her neck as he breathed in her scent.Anne couldn't help but admire the multi-windowed edifice. "I've never seen anything so beautiful. I can see why you've favored hunting and riding, Cedricthis land is built for such activities.""My father and I spent many hours in those woods with rifles and hounds." Cedric's voice was rough as emotion rippled through hi
Sean Hartley, the footman, heard the crash from one floor below in the dining hall where he was polishing silver. The echo of shouting rumbled through the manor. It was not the kind of shouting he'd expected to hear on a honeymoon. This was all fury and rage. Sean got to his feet and headed for the dining hall doors. Viscount or not, no man would be hurting Lady Sheridan, not if Sean could help it. Raised by a single mother, he respected women and their defenselessness against the all too often violent temperaments of men. He would protect Lady Sheridan, even against his own master, consequences be damned."Hartley!" Lord Sheridan bellowed. "Get up here!"Sean dropped the spoon in his hand and ran for the stairs. He passed Lady Sheridan on his way up. She appeared distraught. He paused to follow her, but his master shouted again. With a growl he turned back and continued on his way.Lord Sheridan was in a fine fury. Pacing his room like a caged beast, he kept kicking the scattered a