Page 48 of Temptress in Disguise
Delphine pulled away and dashed tears from her eyes. “I cannot hurt them on a whim.”
“It doesn’t sound like a whim.” She brushed Delphine’s hair from her face, her heart aching because she knew how wonderful it was to have a father who’d loved her. “I cannot imagine what it’s like not knowing who you are. Perhaps you might hire an investigator to uncover the truth.”
“My brothers know all the best enquiry agents in town.”
“Which is why I think you should tell them.”
Delphine shook her head profusely. “No. I could lose the only people who matter to me.” She muttered something to herself as she clutched her abdomen. “Everything is changing. Christian is married and loves Isabella deeply. And Aramis?—”
“Married me to seek vengeance on those who hurt him.” For her, it was slowly becoming more than a marriage of convenience. She enjoyed his company, liked their honest conversations, heated stares and passionate kisses. If she didn’t guard her heart, she might come to care for her husband.
Delphine patted Naomi’s hand. “One might be fooled into thinking there’s more to your relationship than that. Aaron thinks so, or he wouldn’t be so angry.” Delphine’s lips curled into a half-smile. “Though lately, his temper has much to do with Miss Scrumptious.”
The owner of The Burnished Jade seemed like a determined lady.
Doubtless, Aaron was downstairs preparing for war.
“And what about Theodore? Is he the only brother without a wicked temper?” When a man went by the moniker the King of Hearts, surely he was a master of kindness and compassion.
“Those who present themselves as optimistic are often the most damaged. Theo loves everyone, hoping it will make him forget the one woman who spurned him.”
A light tap on the door made Delphine jump.
“Delphine, it’s me,” came a sweet voice.
“Just a moment, Isabella!” In a mild panic, Delphine gripped Naomi’s hand. “Please, say nothing to Aramis. Not yet. He’s been hurt so terribly. I’ll not be the cause of more pain.”
“If you decide to hire an investigator, you can find Mr Flynn at the Old Swan in Long Lane. He used to be a runner for Bow Street but now finds missing people.” The only reason Naomi hadn’t hired him was because Mr Sloane offered his services for free. “I can make enquiries on your behalf. I can speak to Aramis and explain your longing for the truth.” She could not keep secrets from her husband when he’d already suffered a great betrayal.
Delphine moved to answer the door. “Let me think about it for a while. I’m in no rush to decide.”
With the arrival of Christian’s wife, all conversation turned to Aramis and their shock at discovering he’d married.
“He’d sworn to die a bachelor,” Isabella said, her brown eyes warm and friendly. “Though the thought of seeking vengeance on the woman who hurt him surely proved too tempting to resist.”
“Mrs Wendon helped my cause. He’d grown tired of her constant harassment.” Poor Hester had sat quietly, blushing with humiliation.
“I saw Mrs Wendon lingering outside The Burnished Jade this morning,” Delphine said, amused. “She was waiting for Aramis to leave, not knowing he’d spent the night with his wife at Mrs Maloney’s bookshop.”
Heat crept up her neck to warm her cheeks. She liked being his wife. She liked his fervent kisses. Just thinking of what the night would bring roused excitement and nerves in equal measure.
Noting her reaction, Isabella touched Naomi’s knee and offered words of caution. “At all costs, you must protect your heart. While Aramis is a very charismatic man, he lacks depth when it comes to romantic relationships. I told him so only recently.”
Delphine grinned. “You may revise your opinion once you’ve seen them together. She touched his arm tonight, and he didn’t flinch. I don’t know how to explain it. I just know there’s something different about him since he married Naomi.”
She wished she could offer a reason for the strange connection they shared. Was it that they felt safe with each other? Was it nothing more than a physical attraction that would soon wane?
“How do ladies usually hold his attention?” The question had nothing to do with being desperate to please him. She could not make false protestations like Lydia or feign feelings for her own gain. It was merely a means of learning more about the man she’d married.
“They don’t. I’ve never known him to give a lady a second glance. That’s what makes this so remarkable.” Delphine sprang to her feet. “I have an idea.” She was rummaging in the armoire before Naomi could catch her breath. “Why don’t I curl your hair? I’ve got a pretty nightdress you can borrow. It’s trimmed with gold lace. You can wear my perfume from Paris.”
Isabella fed off Delphine’s enthusiasm. The ladies began offering suggestions as to how she might seduce her husband.
“When Aramis comes upstairs, he might find you relaxing in the bathtub, one lithe limb dangling over the edge.” Isabella chuckled. “The last thing you want to do is sit waiting in bed like a virgin bride.”
“You could be in bed, wearing nothing but a velvet choker.” Delphine presented said choker and wiggled her brows.
It was apparent that Delphine used clothes and adornments to create a perfect persona. She wanted to show the world a certain version of herself because she didn’t know who she was inside.
