Max knew the rules he had set for himself precluded his ignoring this conversation, and he spared a brief moment to wish he’d stayed at home instead of coming to his club. But there it was. The words had been spoken. And the question of what to do about it settled on his mind.
An hour later, empty brandy glass beside him, he had arrived at a decision.
The best way to try and prevent a disaster for Hecate Ridlington was to go through her sister, Kitty. The two seemed close, and if he could casually mention that Dancey was not an acceptable companion for someone like Hecate, Kitty might be able to scotch the affair before it went too far.
It was a solid idea, and with luck would save the day. Plus, it put him in a position to do something he’d been considering for more than a few months.
It put him squarely in the path of Miss Kitty Ridlington.
And that, he confessed, was a position he wanted to explore to its fullest, because he found her raised chin and strong will a challenge. He wondered if he could match it—dominate it—and make her submit to him.
The idea of such a proud and willful woman restrained for his pleasure sent a different kind of sensation from the back of his neck down to his groin. And this one was sharp, darting shivers of impatience over his skin like miniature bolts of lightning designed to arouse.
Oh yes. It was a task he believed he could achieve. Kitty Ridlington would submit. And when she did, he would punish her to the point of ecstasy.
On that thought, he too quit the room. It was time to go home and set some plans in motion.
Chapter One
“Is Hecate ready, Aunt?”
An older woman sat in a delicately ornate chair beside Kitty’s vanity, and watched her as she put the finishing touches to her toilette for the evening. “I think so. She shooed me out of her room and told me to come and visit you, since she couldn’t dress with me observing her.”
Kitty chuckled. “Yes, that’s her. Always preferring her privacy.” She dipped her finger into a tiny pot of rouge and delicately applied the rosy hue to her cheeks. “Although I’m very happy she’s come out of her shell so much here in London.”
Finishing with a light touch of powder, and then pausing to whisk away any stray particles, Kitty turned away from the mirror for a moment. “None of this would have been possible without you, Aunt Venetia. I know you don’t like to be thanked, but I do hope you know how very grateful both Hecate and I are that you’ve been so generous with your time…” she glanced down at her gown, “…and your money.”
“Darling, no mention of that. Too crass.”
“And I would never dream of doing so were anyone else present, Aunt. But you must allow me to assure you of our awareness, our profound gratitude and our undying affection for you. I doubt either Hecate or myself ever dreamed of being able to participate in a London season. And I know Edmund and Rosaline also consider themselves in your debt for your many kindnesses.”
“Oh pooh.” Blushing, Lady Venetia raised her fan to her face. “Having you girls here has brightened my life. I’d forgotten what fun it was to chaperone two beautiful young ladies through London’s ballrooms, especially since neither of you are insipid debutantes.” She straightened her skirt. “I will also be honest—having auspicious relatives isn’t something to be sneezed at. Thanks to you, I can count on a Baron, a vicar, a FitzArden, and now Viscount Hayward, among my family members. Quite a coup, you know.”
“Goodness. I never thought of that,” blinked Kitty.
“And of course I’ve enjoyed every minute of watching so many gentlemen’s heads turning as you both pass by.” She wrinkled her nose in amusement.
Kitty smiled. “And we have enjoyed causing such a reaction, I can assure you.” She blinked. “Well, at least I have. I can’t speak for Hecate.”
Aunt Venetia’s brows lowered a little. “I do worry about that girl. She spends far too much time with unsavory people.”
“You’re speaking of the Indian family she’s befriended?”
“Yes.” Her aunt’s expression was not one of warmth. “It’s not the thing, Kitty. I wish you’d talk her out of it.”
Kitty shrugged. “You should know by now, Aunt, that there’s no talking Hecate out of anything. And besides, they do seem quite nice. Hard working, and all that sort of thing. I made sure there was nothing to do with money involved, of course. But I think Hecate is a little too intelligent to fall for any underhanded schemes. I can’t say I’m thrilled with their location, but since you encouraged Tandy to accompany Hecate when she visits, I feel much safer.”
“A footman is an absolute necessity, of course. But even so, I can’t help worrying. Suppose she should catch some awful foreign illness…”
“Dear Aunt,” Kitty stretched out a hand and touched the older woman’s knee. “Hecate is a grown woman. She is also very intelligent, although in an abstract sort of way. I believe she’s keeping an eye on the family until their father returns from soldiering in Europe.”
“Oh dear.” That information failed to soothe Aunt Venetia. “So many losses over there. And rumors of more big battles to come against the Monster.”
“Yes,” agreed Kitty. “We must pray for our dear Wellington’s success, of course.”
“Indeed. I hate to see the number of eligible gentlemen reduced by this stupid business.”
Kitty couldn’t really come up with an appropriate response to such a comment. It wasn’t that her aunt was flighty, because she was well-aware of her situation and made all her plans with great care. It could best be described as a view of the world from her perspective, rather than one of political and military necessity.
Lady Venetia Allington looked at world events and translated them into how will this affect me?
“Well put your worries to rest for tonight, Aunt,” said Kitty. “It will be a charming evening, I’m sure. After all, how much trouble can we get into at a musicale?”
She stood, a final glance into her mirror reassuring her that everything was in place.
“Don’t even think that sort of thing,” said Aunt Venetia. “Trouble will find all of us if we’re not careful.” She stood as well. “Speaking of trouble, will Mr. Seton-Mowbray be in attendance, I wonder?”
Kitty controlled a slight shiver of excitement at that particular name. “I have no idea, Aunt. Why do you ask?” She bent to pick up her gloves and reticule, happy her hands were steady.
“Oh, no reason in particular. Just that I noticed his attentions to you seemed…a little more than polite, shall we say, when we encountered him at the Inglesby rout.”
Kitty chuckled. “Mr. Seton-Mowbray’s attentions have never been polite, Aunt. He’s blunt to the point of rudeness, looks down on us mere mortals as annoyances, and has no sense of humor as far as I can discern. Other than his money, he really has very little to recommend him.”
Aunt Venetia nodded. “I suppose you’re right, dear.” She picked up her shawl and handed another to Kitty. “He’s an excellent match, though.”