Part 14 (2/2)
was so close she could see his eyes, the centers black and velvety. She should move away, for he was taking liberties she allowed few. Yet she still smarted from the slap Jack had given her vanity, and Campbell's admiration poured a balm over her spirit. But he was still a poor subst.i.tute for Jack Kincaid. Very poor. Lucinda turned away, pulling her hair free from his fingers and repinning the curl. ”We are alike in some ways, but there is one big difference.” ”What's that?” ”Our birth. I am not of common stock.” Lucinda could feel the icy cold rage that filled him. A flare of power flushed through her, making her nipples peak, her breath quicken. This was the true rush: to control the actions and feelings of another, to incite them to painful pa.s.sion or the anguish of rejection. She loved it. His smile was cold. ”I beg to differ. I am not of common stock.” He threw up a hand before she could reply. ”I did not seek you out to engage in a flirtation. I came for another reason.”
”Oh?” she said in a disinterested voice. ”And what is that?” She took a step toward the ballroom, expecting him to follow. His hand closed over her wrist, halting her. ”What I have to say should not be said in public.” ”Then send me a letter. Let me go.” ”It's about Kincaid.” Lucinda eyed Campbell for a long moment. ”What about Jack?”
”Ah, that caught your interest, didn't it?”
”What do you have to say? I cannot stay here forever, listening to you. I am to dance the waltz with Lord Selwyn during the next set.”
”He can wait. This cannot. Not if you wish to know the dirty details of Kincaid's marriage.” She'd known something was amiss! ”What about it?” ”Kincaid did not marry Fiona MacLean willingly.” Lucinda's heart pounded an extra beat. ”No?” ”Fiona had Kincaid trussed and bound, brought to the altar like a sacrificial lamb.” Her mind roiled with this new information. ”I cannot see him allowing such a thing to occur. He has too much pride.”
”True, but she has convinced him it is for the best, to avoid a war between their families. Her brother was killed; his brothers were implicated...” He waved a hand. ”You know a Scotsman's temper. Had war broken out, there would have been more deaths.”
It made sense. Jack was not the sort of man to do something heroic, but perhaps, once married, he could see no way out of it without inciting the feud.
What delicious information! How he must hate the entire situation. No wonder he'd broken off with her; he probably couldn't bear to tell anyone what had happened.
She eyed Campbell with suspicion. ”Why are you telling me this?”
”Because I've seen how you look at him. I didn't wish you to lose hope.” He smiled and turned toward the ballroom door. ”I believe there is still hope for us both.”
”What doyou want, Campbell?”
”I want it all. Jack's money. His position.” Campbell's mouth twisted. ”And to remind him that he cannot embarra.s.s my family without cost, I also want his wife.”
”That plump thing?”
His gaze flashed. ”There is much more to her than you might think.”
”That stupid curse?” Lucinda smirked. She didn't understand how anyone could be attracted to such a dowd, but it didn't matter.
She smiled at her image in the mirror, imagining how she would turn this information to her benefit. She'd ever so gently let Jack know she was aware of his circ.u.mstances. She'd offer her sympathy, her companions.h.i.+p. Jack would see then that she was a much better companion for him than his frumpy wife.
”Don't worry, Campbell. I shall continue to remind Jack of my presence. Is that what you wished?”
”Of course.” He grinned back. ”Meanwhile, I shall make certain the lovely Fiona knows of her husband'
s past affiliation.”
”I like how you think, Campbell.”
”If things play out as I hope, we will both be rewarded.” Campbell bowed and gestured to the door.
”After you, my dear. Lord Selwyn awaits his dance. But after that, you are all mine.”
Chapter Eleven.
I've oft heard it said that men and women speak different languages, but 'tis not true. They speak the same language, they just hear it with different ears.
OLDWOMANNORA OFLOCHLOMOND TO HER THREE WEE GRANDDAUGHTERS ONE COLD NIGHT.
Hours later, Fiona awoke, blinking sleepily in the semidarkness. The silence caught her, and she knew as she reached beside her that the bed was empty. Jack was gone.
Disappointment washed over her. What was her husband doing right now? Was he playing cards? Perchance he'd gone home with a friend? Maybe afemale friend?
Fiona's jaw tightened, and she threw back the covers. She could not just lie there and wonder; she would find out for herself. She had two feet and two willing legs. Wherever he could go, she could go. She'd warned him, and now she'd show him she meant it.
She marched to her wardrobe and found one of her new gowns, a beautiful green silk with a decolletage far lower than anything she'd ever owned. Jack had been insistent on purchasing it, declaring he'd been delighted to see her wear it. She hoped he'd think so when she walked into one of his precious gaming h.e.l.ls. It was probably tame, compared to what the other women would be wearing, but it was pretty and a little racy.
Racy. Yes, that's what she'd be. Racy and seductive and dangerous. Just like the women who frequented Jack's gaming h.e.l.ls.
”Blast him!” she said aloud.
It felt good, saying that. So she said it again. ”Blast him, blast him, blast him!”
She dressed, pulling on stockings and then slippers to complement the gown. Then she crossed to the dresser and quickly put her hair to rights. She would not sit tamely by while Jack made a mockery of their marriage. She was through with waiting.
But how would she find him? She paused a moment. Perhaps there were certain places he frequented. The servants would know; they knew everything.
Yes, that was a good plan. Fiona stood back from the mirror, then tugged her neckline down to a more precarious level. Oh, yes, that would do. That would do very well. She looked stylish and determined, a powerful combination.
”Jack Kincaid, you had best have a care,” she announced. ”You have raised the ire of a MacLean. Woe betide you now.”
Outside, there was a distant rumble of thunder. If she didn't wish to get wet in her own downpour and ruin her entrance, she had to maintain her calm. She didn't want to get angry; she wanted to get even. That required finesse.
With one last glimpse in the mirror, she turned on her heel and left the room, closing the door firmly behind her.
Devonsgate blinked. ”I-I beg your pardon, my lady?”
”I said I am going out.” Fiona took her cloak from the hovering footman.
”Yes, my lady. I heard that. I just didn't-I mean, I wasn't certain-I mean, I shall-” The butler paused, then took a deep breath. ”What I mean is, where shall I tell his lords.h.i.+p you are going, if he should ask?”
Fiona fastened her cloak about her neck. ”Oh, he is not here, so it should not be an issue.”
”But-but-he could return, and then what will I tell him?”
<script>