Gayle Callen - A Most Scandalous Engagement

A Most Scandalous Engagement

Gayle Callen

Dedication

To my sister-in-law, Mary Anne Fox: The first time I met you, you were two years old, and climbing on my lap for attention. Youve had my attentionand admirationever since. Youve grown into a lovely woman with a heart so big that you humble us all.

Contents

London, 1846

P eter Derby was not the only man calling on the very eligible Lady Elizabeth Cabot that summer afternoon. At least a dozen men meandered in the sumptuous drawing room beneath frescoed ceilings, waiting their turn to speak to the lady herself. She gave each man his few minutes, dumbfounding them with the radiance of her smile, making each of them dream that they could have her in their marriage bed, connecting their family to that of the Duke of Madingley forever. But of every man in this room, only Peter knew her secretshed posed for a nude painting, and even now it was hanging in the saloon of his gentlemens club.

Through the movement of the slowly thinning crowd, he caught glimpses of Elizabeth, and still, he could be so moved by her beauty. She had the midnight hair and eyes of her Spanish mother, contrasting with a peach English complexion. Those eyes could have been mysterious, yet instead showed her cheerfulness. She could have been cool and remote, a lady so high in rank that mere mortals must look up. But Peter knew Elizabeth had never been like that. She was friendly and compassionate, inquiring about one suitors ill mother and another suitors recent broken arm, making everyone feel like a friend.

But Peter no longer wanted to be just her friend. Hed known Elizabeth her whole life, had gotten her out of one scrape after another in her youth. And through it all, shed never treated him as anything other than a friend. He knew his place in the ton so far beneath hers he might as well have been in a shadowy valley to her shining mountaintop.

But the painting changed everything.

Elizabeths gaze collided with his, before she quickly looked away, flustered, embarrassed. Hed never flustered her before, and it intrigued him. He liked the pink in her cheeks, the way she linked her hands togetherwhich in turn accented the faint hint of cleavage at the neckline of her respectable blue gown.

Now he had another image that changed his every thought of her. The painting was burned into his brain: against a black background lit only with candles, she reclined on her side, body arched, dark, curling hair teasing at the juncture of her closed thighs. A long, diaphanous scarf draped around her, enhancing rather than concealing. Her head, thrown back, was lost in the shadows, but he hadnt needed to see her face to know it was she.

That Elizabeth would risk everything to pose for something so scandalous it could lead to her utter ruin, suggested that she hadnt outgrown her recklessness, regardless of her proper behavior these last few years.

She still had a wild side, one he now hungered to see. They had something in common.

The last suitor left the drawing room, and the little maid, after a nod from Elizabeth, grinned at him and departed, carrying her needlework. Then Elizabeth dismissed the two footmen, who left the door properly open behind them.

Several clusters of plush chairs and sofas grouped around tables stood between them. Elizabeth remained frozen, a new wariness in her eyes as she studied him. He began to move toward her, each step bringing him closer to an unknown future. Lately hed been taking risks, and she might be the most dangerous one of all.

He stopped before her and waited. The moment drew out, fraught with tension, as embarrassment pinkened her cheeks. Would she run from him, perhaps refuse to speak about this new secret between them?

At last she rolled her eyes. Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Peter Derby?

He laughed aloud. She put her hands on her hips, emphasizing her elegant slimness, drawing his gaze to her other curves, so properly tamed by layers of garments.

She gave a little gasp. Is that how it will be now, that youll look at me like... like...

Like youre a woman, and Im admiring your beauty?

Youve never looked at me that way before.

In a low voice he said, Then perhaps you should have considered how men would look at you before you posed for that painting.

Her frantic gaze darted to the door once more, but no one had heard him.

Or before you and your cousins dressed as boys, he added, and snuck into a gentlemens club to steal it. Thank God Julian, Leo, and I were there to keep you from making things worse.

That was another image that would never leave his brainElizabeths hips, sensually rounder than hed imagined, encased in a pair of boys breeches.

That painting was supposed to be in a private French collection, she insisted, not on display before you ogling men!

I dont understand how this all happened. Were you tricked into posing?

But she only pressed her lips together and glared at him. Very curious. Why didnt she want to explain herself?

So the artist needed money when the deal fell through, Peter continued. Perhaps he should have come to you for help. You would have done anything to protect your indiscretion.

Folding her arms across her chest, she tapped her foot as if he bored her.

I know how close you and your cousins are, he continued. You thought youd divert our questions, protect each other, by each claiming to be the model. It didnt quite work out the way youd planned it.

I imagine we should have guessed how foxed the three of you were, she said with exasperation. But a wager, Peter?

He spread his hands wide. We have to discover who the real model ishow can you blame us? And how else could he protect her, by making sure only he focused on her? But he couldnt tell her that part of it. He needed to know why she was suddenly reverting to her old risk-taking ways.

Elizabeth sank back into an upholstered chair, and her blue skirts flared and settled around her, the silk rustling almost erotically. But then all his thoughts about her were erotic. He sat down in a nearby chair, their knees almost touching. She didnt move away, so she was clearly distracted.

I hadnt imagined the Earl of Parkhurst would join you and Mr. Wade in such foolishness. She gave him a suspicious look.

You practically invited us to determine the truth. And how could I not bet that you are the model? Your cousin Rebecca? I had just seen her at a ball wearing the same diamond pendant that was in the painting. She would never have worn it in public if shed known it could identify her as the scandalous model.

Her gaze stilled on him. You never mentioned that last night.

Why should I give Julian and Leo any advantage? At least weve given you the chance to win the painting outright.

In a months time, she added between gritted teeth. But time wont matter. Youll never be able to prove for certain that it was I. My word alone isnt enough in your game.

And you dont want to help me win for old times sake?

She blew out her breath and rose to her feet, leaning over him. He lounged back, head against the chair, and enjoyed the view of her lovely fury. Hed never seen her like this before, and was enjoying it far too much.

Mr. Derby, I cannot believe youre treating me this way!

He grinned, eyes half closed as he watched her. Lady Elizabeth, I cannot believe you think you deserve special treatment, not after what youve done. If your brother hears

Chris is hunting in Scotland, as you well know.

Ah, but this helps you, doesnt it? No brother wondering why youre suddenly so ill at ease.

Im not

No brother catching you sneaking around dressed as a boy.