Page 15 of Her Wicked Longing
“Of course not!” She sniffed and wiped her eyes as he let go of her. Their other sister, Horatia, was also pregnant, but since she and Lucien lived in a separate townhouse, Audrey wouldn’t see their child as much as this one under herownroof.
“But don’t feel that you must stay,” Anne said, her tone serious. “All we want is for you to be happy, and it seems that lately…” Anne glanced at Cedric, sharing aworriedlook.
“That what?” Audreyasked.
“That you are lonely. I hate seeing you so Friday-faced, kitten.” Cedric chucked her under her chin the way he had so often over the years. He had always looked out for her, always put her interests first. He’d been forced to grow up far too quickly and had become both father and mother to his sisters. Now he was ready to become a father to his own child, and she didn’t wish to be a burden, but the truth was she couldn’t live on her own. It wasn’t done. Society thrust women into gilded cages, and they had no trueindependence.
“You used to be thrilled at the thought of balls and suitors. I promised to stop challenging your gentlemen callers, what has changed?” Cedric, as always, saw through her. But she didn’t want to ruin his happy news by forcing her own concerns and sorrowsonhim.
She painted a bright smile upon her lips. “I’mfine.”
“But—”
“I’ve been so melancholy of late because the fashions I like in gowns have changed. It can quite ruin a lady’s happiness to change her wardrobe because of rising waistlines and fuller skirts.” She giggled, though the sound rang false inherears.
“Er…right.” Cedric hesitated, his brotherly instincts warning him that something was amiss. She could see the suspicion in his eyes but hoped he wouldn’t continue topressher.
A knock on the study door had them all turning to see a footmanthere.
“My lord, your afternoon guests have arrived,” theladsaid.
Cedric’s worries evaporated as he faced Anne. “Ready to share the good news with theLeague?”
Anne nodded, a blush stealing upon her cheeks. “I can’t wait. Three babes so close in age. It will be wonderful.” Two others from the League were expecting children—which included Horatia and her husbandLucien.
“Indeed,” Cedric agreed. Audrey stepped back to let them pass by her into the corridor. Her heart was beating rapidly. She knew who might bethere.
Jonathan.
She didn’t want to face him, not after the last time they’d been alone together. He’d dragged her away from Fives Court, where she’d been disguised as a boy to watch Charles in a boxing match. She’d been so confident then that her disguise had been good, but he’d seen right through her. He’d been furious she’d gone to such a place, especially disguised as a man. She had been exasperated with him and then furious when he’d dragged her away by her arm like a naughtychild.
He’d taken her straight home in a coach, lecturing her the entire journey. She hadn’t forgotten their argument. She had screamed at him that she wasn’t a child, and he’d told her,“I’ll believe that when you start acting like the fine lady you’re supposedtobe.”
Fine lady. Jonathan didn’t know the first thing about fine ladies. He had been raised as a servant, after all. The thought made her wince, not because he had once been a servant—she was not snobbish—but she knew he was sensitive on the matter. He’d only learned some months earlier that he was the legitimate son of the late Duke of Essex and the half brother of thecurrentduke.
Jonathan had met a cloud of scandal when he was introduced into thetonlast fall. The son of the lady’s maid of the late duchess, born after a secret marriage and hidden in plain sight as valet to his own halfbrother…
None of that mattered to her, of course. She loved a good scandal. It was her forte, after all, as LadySociety.
The entryway exploded with noise as the entire League paraded through the front door. Audrey hung back, leaning against the doorjamb of Cedric’s study as she saw Horatia and her husband Lucien, the Marquess of Rochester, enter first. Godric, the Duke of Essex, and his wife, Emily, came next, followed by Ashton, Baron Lennox and his wife, Rosalind. Charles, the Earl of Lonsdale, was absent, much to Audrey’sconcern.
She was worried about Charles. Each time one of the League of Rogues married, it left him more and more closed off. His remoteness was unnatural, yet she understood what he might be feeling. There was something sad about watching her family and friends marry and leave her behind. They didn’t exclude her on purpose, but she felt alone all the same. Charles had to be experiencing similar feelings. It madesense.
“Audrey!” Horatia, as always, sought her out at once. The lovely rose-colored gown she wore was full at the waist as the curve of her unborn child showed. Horatia embraced her tightly, her brown eyes searchingAudrey’s.
“You look unwell. Why don’t we go somewhere and talk?” Horatiasuggested.
“No, I’m fine, quite fine, I assure you.” She smiled and placed her palm on Horatia’s belly. “How is my future niece or nephewtoday?”
Her sister beamed. “Lively. He’s been kicking like adevil.”
“He?” Audrey clung tothatword.
Horatia chuckled. “I have dreams about the baby and it is always a he. Lucien swears it’s a girl because the trouble she makes when the baby kicks and wakes me up atnight.”
“I agree with you, it sounds more like a boy because he’s causing trouble.” Audrey smiled, feeling better as she imagined Horatia and Lucien’s child and the mischief the little boy or girl mightgetinto.
Before she could speak further, the entire League had moved toward the drawing room for tea. Audrey watched them go, but made no move to follow. Instead, she clutched her reticule and headed for the front door. She’d only just reached for the handle when the door opened. Stumbling back, she blinked against the bright light from the doorway and the tall figure silhouettedthere.
