LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter Seventeen

      Dominique spent the carriage ride into town warding off her sister-in-law’s questions.

      ‘This is most ungenerous of you,’ protested Gwen, laughing. ‘You arrive at my party last night, looking so ravishing that no man has eyes for anyone else, then you steal away with Gideon before the tea tray is brought in! What am I to think?’

      ‘Whatever you wish,’ replied Dominique twinkling. Then, relenting, she laughed and blushed. ‘Oh, Gwen, it was wonderful. I really think he cares for me.’

      ‘Did he say so?’

      ‘Not in so many words, but I hope that will follow.’

      ‘Yes, I hope so, too,’ replied Gwen sincerely. ‘He was certainly very loving towards you this morning.’

      Dominique hesitated. ‘Perhaps you should try the same thing with your husband.’

      ‘I gave up trying to woo Anthony years ago. He is more interested in his politics than his wife. I have positively flaunted my flirts before him and he does not notice.’ Gwen’s mouth drooped and for a moment she looked very despondent, then she gave herself a little shake, and her generous smile reappeared. ‘But this is dismal talk when we have shopping to do. Madame Sienna’s first, I think, and then perhaps we should visit Bertram’s warehouse and find something to make you another dashy dress!’

      * * *

      Dominique had been quite happy to go along with Gwen’s plans, her head still full of Gideon and the night they had shared, but she was forced to put aside her beatific daydreams when they emerged from the modiste’s shop.

      ‘Oh, dear,’ exclaimed Gwen, ‘it is your cousin. Look, he has just emerged from Clifford Street. And he is coming this way.’

      There was no avoiding him and, judging by the way his face lit up when he recognised her, Dominique knew he was going to stop and talk to her.

      ‘There is no avoiding him now, I suppose,’ muttered Gwen, linking her arm though Dominique’s for support. When he raised his hat she said coolly, ‘Lord Martlesham.’

      ‘Lady Ribblestone, and my dear cousin.’

      His oily greeting immediately put Dominique on the alert. She nodded silently, hoping he would stand aside to let them pass, but, no. He merely looked pained.

      ‘So haughty, Dominique, after all I have done to promote your happiness.’

      ‘To destroy it would be more accurate.’

      ‘No, no, Cousin, your welfare has always been my first consideration. Does your husband know you are in town?’

      Dominique raised her brows, saying coldly, ‘Of course.’

      ‘Perhaps he has arranged to meet you later.’

      ‘No, he is at Chalcots.’

      His smile grew.

      ‘I think not.’

      ‘You must allow Mrs Albury to know best, my lord,’ put in Gwen. ‘We left my brother taking breakfast.’

      Max regarded them with such a knowing smile that Dominique longed to box his ears.

      ‘I hate to disagree with you, ladies, but I think you will find—ah, no.’ He stopped and sighed. ‘If that is what you believe, then so be it.’

      A cold hand clutched at Dominique’s heart, but she replied stoutly, ‘You can tell me nothing that will shake my faith in Gideon. I trust him implicitly.’

      ‘You trust him implicitly,’ he repeated slowly. ‘What a good little wife you are to him, my dear. And how I pity you.’

      ‘I do not need your pity. Now, if you will excuse us—’

      ‘And if I should tell you that he is seeing Mrs Bennet?’

      ‘Absurd!’ exclaimed Gwen hotly.

      Dominique clutched her arm, her legs suddenly very weak.

      ‘You lie.’ She glared up at Max.

      The triumphant gleam in his eyes only deepened.

      ‘He is meeting her in Green Park at noon.’ He lifted his head as a distant church bell chimed the hour. ‘Which is now. Why not come with me and we shall see who is right?’

      Gwendoline said coldly, ‘We do not need to go to the Green Park, my lord. My brother’s integrity is beyond question.’

      Dominique wanted to agree. She wanted to turn away from Max’s tormenting, smiling face, but she could not.

      ‘We will go with you,’ she stated, her back very straight. ‘But only to prove you wrong.’

      Ignoring the earl’s outstretched arm, she turned and marched along Bond Street until they reached Piccadilly.

      ‘My dear, this is madness,’ Gwen muttered, hurrying beside her. ‘Let me take you home instead. I am sure...’

      Her words trailed away as Dominique stopped, recognising the elegant curricle and pair trotting towards them at a smart pace.

      ‘So Albury’s integrity is beyond question, is it?’ The earl’s sneering voice only added to Dominique’s misery.

      She watched the curricle fly past, Gideon intent on negotiating the heavy traffic. At his side was a cloaked figure, the breeze making the voluminous hood billow out to display the unmistakable face of Agnes Bennet. Like a devil at her shoulder, she heard Max chuckle.

      ‘Well, well. This has worked out even better than I expected. Cousin, I am so sorry for you.’

      ‘But where are they going?’ asked Gwen. ‘Where can he be taking her, and in broad daylight?’

      ‘I have no idea,’ drawled Max. ‘But it makes no odds to me. She has served her purpose well enough.’

      ‘She has—’ Gwen broke off, her indignation too great for her to speak for several moments. At last she said, in arctic tones, ‘Pray excuse us, Lord Martlesham. I must take my sister-in-law away from here.’

      ‘Of course, ma’am. If there is anything I can do...’

      ‘You have done quite enough!’

      Dominique was rooted to the ground, staring after the curricle. Gwen put her arm about her shoulders.

      ‘Come, love, let me take you back to the carriage.’

      Dominique tried to focus. Everything seemed very distant. She saw Max walking away, swinging his cane as if he had not a care in the world. And everyone else, too, was carrying on quite as normal.

      ‘I shall take you back to Grosvenor Square,’ said Gwen.

      Dominique shook her head.

      ‘No,’ she managed, her throat so constricted that it was difficult to speak. ‘No, I want to go to Chalcots, if you please.’

      ‘Very well, love, if that is what you want.’

      ‘Yes, yes, it is.’ She struggled into the waiting carriage and collapsed into the corner, her world in ruins.

      * * *

      Gideon left Agnes at the Peacock Inn and made his way back to the city to the offices of Rogers & Mitchell. However, when he learned that Mr Rogers was gone out of town he drove to the newly refurbished offices of Coutts & Co in the Strand.

      * * *

      An hour later he was on his way home, well satisfied with the day’s work and eager to share his news with Dominique. After last night he half expected her to be looking out for him and to come running out into his arms, but

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