Vexing the Viscount

Tia glanced over and her mouthed gaped. Mary held up yards of brilliant red silk that shimmered like rubies. “He wants me to wear that tonight?”

“I believe that is his intention.”

Wearing that dress branded her as a harlot before she’d even done anything worth mentioning. A few passionate kisses and slightly more shouldn’t qualify her as a strumpet. Slightly scandalous, perhaps. “Let me try it on.”

Mary helped her undress and then slid the red silk over Tia’s head. The fabric caressed her skin as it glided down her body. It was far too much. Not just the money for the dress, but the idea of wearing something so decadent.

“It is beautiful, miss.” Mary pinched an inch of fabric at Tia’s waist. “But a little large. I can take it in quickly.”

“Yes, this is the most beautiful gown I have ever worn.” Once Mary had her buttoned, Tia moved to the mirror and gasped. With her red hair, she didn’t think the gown would flatter her features. But Middleton found the one shade of red that complemented her hair and fair skin. But it was the low-cut bodice that made the decision for her. Her breasts were all but heaved out of the dress. One good breath and everything would be on display. “No,” she whispered. “As beautiful as this dress is, I shall wear the blue silk.”

“As you wish, miss.”

A little shiver of fear raced down her back. She wondered how Middleton would take her act of defiance. Some men beat their wives and mistresses. Was he one of those men? Jonathon had never mentioned it, but he might have wanted to protect his brother.

After dressing, she quietly made her way down the stairs. “Nelson, where is Lord Middleton?”

“In the salon, miss.”

“Thank you.” She steeled herself against the bluster of his anger and walked toward the salon. When she reached the threshold, she stopped. He was facing the window with a glass of sherry in his hand. She took one more step and the floor creaked under her foot. He turned around and smirked.

“Well played, Miss Featherstone.” He saluted her with his glass.

“I beg your pardon?”

“The dress,” he said as he approached her. “But I don’t appreciate it when my commands are ignored.”

She sent him a smug grin. “But you never explicitly said to wear the dress. You only placed the packages on the bed and said you had solved my dilemma, assuming I had one to begin with.”

He black brow furrowed for a moment before his smile returned. “Touché. I believe I shall have to let you win this battle. And the next time I will be very clear in my expectations.”

“Do try, my lord.”

“Shall we depart?”

Tia frowned. “Depart? I thought we would eat first?” She had been so eager to leave for the gaming hell to discover any information about Jonathon. But now, apprehension filled her. Leaving this house with him sealed her fate.

“We are going to a small soiree first. We can eat there.”

“A soiree?”

“Yes. I thought it would be a good chance to introduce you to some of my friends.” He placed his glass on the table. “Shall we?”

“I—I—”

He drew her up against his chest. “Unless you have had a change of heart?”

Tia could feel the heat from his body warming her chilled skin. She had to do this . . . for Jonathon. “I am ready.”

She could have sworn she saw a look of disappointment cross his face. Could he be frustrated that she didn’t give up this mad idea? She shook her head. That was an odd idea indeed. He was the one who suggested the arrangement in the first place.

“Let us be off,” he said quietly.

Her entire body started to quake as they left the house and he helped her into the carriage. Every person she met tonight would know she was Middleton’s mistress. A sense of helplessness invaded her. There was no going back after tonight.

She wondered what Mia and her mother would think of her actions. Mia would tell her to take the man to her bed and enjoy it. Her mother’s advice might be of a more practical nature, with the warnings of the consequences of her actions. Since neither were here, it was up to Tia to decide her fate.

“What are you fretting about?”