Page 35 of Captivating the Countess
Lombard shot him a disgusted look. “Drunk with lust, perhaps? Ladies don’tdothat. She shouldn’t be encouraging your sister to behave like a rag-mannered hooligan.”
“You didn’t notice, perchance, that Alicia was right there with Bell every step of the way? My sisters were born rag-mannered.” He didn’t mention Salina’s tendency to fling things when angered as a youth. Her husband was apparently under the illusion that his wife had been cured of her temper. “Had the pot been smaller, Alicia would have done it on her own. I suppose that means we’ve been going about this all wrong. Perhaps we should invite men who are a little less civilized to entertain her.”
Considering the train of proper young ladies who had been paraded before him, Rain thought he might understand Alicia a little better now. They had been taught propriety, but they’d also been taught to think for themselves. His other sisters had accepted their protected roles as ornaments, but Alicia was resisting—as he was. Cosseting a perfectly healthy female was an utter waste of his valuable time.
When it came to marriage, honesty was a necessity, he decided. Pretending to be what one was not did not build a solid foundation for the future.
Lombard gave up and returned his attention to the ring where the two gentlemen were enthusiastically practicing their boxing moves. “They seem to have lost the urge to kill and maim.”
“Do we have any idea what the argument is about?” Rain shook his head at an offer of a wager on the outcome. At least he’d provided the evening’s before-dinner entertainment. He would have enjoyed pounding a few heads, but he was the host.
“Cards were mentioned, but I can’t say if they’re talking playing cards or dance cards or both. It wasn’t as if I was paying attention.”
Estelle’s husband, Garland, joined them. “It started out with a card game, but the argument had more to do with the bidding on the dance cards, I believe. The red-headed bloke decided he’d been cheated out of a dance with Alicia and demanded the blond prig repay him for the lost opportunity. Words ensued.”
“Is Alicia considering either of the cads?” Rainford remained skeptical.
“Can’t say. You’ll have to ask your sisters. They natter on, but I don’t pay much attention.” Garland chomped on his cigar and watched the ginger wallop the blond.
Not paying attention to his sisters was dangerous, Rain could have told their husbands. But they had to know that by now. They weren’t stupid men.
“I’m ready for dinner,” Garland complained. “Can we throw water on them again?”
Rain snorted but sympathized. Once the blond was on the mat, Rain took command and stepped into the ring. “Go clean up for dinner, gentlemen. We’re keeping the ladies waiting. If you wish to continue your argument later, the gymnasium is open for your use.”
The combatants looked relieved to have the brawl ended. The ones posting wagers argued over the results, but fortunately, they were all ready to eat and didn’t carry the complaints to open hostility.
As he dressed for dinner, Rain had to wonder if the current outbreak of anger meant the countess was correct and the spirits were fighting to be heard. It seemed far-fetched, but last night’s other-worldly experience had almost made a believer of him. He might doubt the motives of most women, but Bell could not have conjured the vision he’d seen in his bath. Something weirder than usual was happening.
His first instinct was always to protect and defend his family. He needed to crush whatever enemy might harm them. But how did one crush a ghost? Should he send Bell away? Would that help?
He didn’t want to send her away. Bell was a good steward. And Lombard was right, he lusted after her. Which meant he probably ought to send her away. That just didn’t seem as satisfactory as potentially knocking a ghost to the ground and grinding his heel into its manifestation.
Alicia caught up with him as Rain descended the marble stairs after he’d dressed for dinner. “Don’t do whatever it is you’re thinking until you consult whoever you mean to maim.”
Rain slanted her a dark look. “What the devil does that mean?”
“Everyone thinks you’re expressionless, but Iknowthat look.” She lifted her silk skirt and hurried to keep up with him. “It’s your off-with-their-heads look. Peter and Paul don’t normally behave like that. They will apologize. I’ll make certain of it. There is simply somethingwronghappening. You need to persuade Bell to hold a séance.”
“Peter and Paul.” Rain refrained from rolling his eyes. “I suppose there’s a Mark, John, and Matthew about as well?”
“Quite possibly. I did not inquire as to all their given names. I’ve known Peter and Paul since infancy. That is irrelevant, and you will not distract me from my point.” She caught his arm as they reached the bottom. “Bellsaidspirits hover when someone is dying. Father is dying. We all know it. What if they are trying to tell us something important?”
She may as well have slashed him with a sword. Rain clenched his jaw as he led her into the larger formal drawing room where the remains of the house party gathered. Several had left earlier, so the guest list was somewhat diminished. He scanned the room for Bell, but it would be just like her to hide after this afternoon’s pot-tossing episode.
“Bell does not wish to give a séance,” he murmured to Alicia. “I will not persuade her otherwise, understood? She does not like making a spectacle of herself.”
Of course, that was precisely what she had done this afternoon. Unusual.
“Hmmm, maybe we could disguise her. I’ll talk to Estelle.” Alicia abandoned him to rush off to her sisters.
Rain had a very bad feeling about this, but he had a horde to entertain, a dying father to attend, and a ghost to slay. Plus a woman he couldn’t have whom he wanted in his bed. His life was fun and jollies these days.
He noted several of the gentlemen hovering near the door, watching the stairs. Spitefully, Rain hoped Bell stayed in her rooms.
But, of course, she didn’t. She wouldn’t wish to make work for the servants, of whom she thought of herself as one. Damned woman. She descended in a perfectly respectable amber gown with few frills beyond a colorful shawl to keep off the drafts.
The young gallants jockeyed for her attention. She looked vaguely bemused, nodded politely to their comments, and aimed for the safety of his sisters.
