Wickeds Scandal by Kathleen Ayers

23

The wedding ceremony took place at Gray Covington. Sutton did not wish to marry in London, surrounded by the curious glare of society and Jeanette’s malicious tongue. Especially given the circumstances. It was no shock to him that Alex readily agreed.

The Dowager produced the minister who was witness to the marriage of Sutton’s parents. He’d been visiting the Vicar of Covington, Madeline’s father and Sutton’s grandfather, at the time of the wedding.

Reverend Winkle was old and shriveled, like an overripe apple. His coat smelled of mothballs, and he had to be assisted into Gray Covington by a brace of footmen, each instructed not to allow the Reverend Winkle to fall. Even so, he took the time to seek out Sutton and assure him that while Sutton’s mother was very close to giving birth, Robert and Madeline had most assuredly been married before Sutton came into the world.

Shortly after Alexandra’s own vows, Donata had taken her aside and whispered, “I did not wish to dignify the rumors of my grandson’s illegitimacy by speaking out about it, but now I see that was a mistake. I feel certain that Reverend Winkle has put any doubts Sutton may have had to rest. Nor would I have you worry for your children’s place in the world.”

Alexandra hugged the Dowager tightly. “Does Sutton know how lucky he is to have you?”

The Dowager’s only answer was to wipe a tear from her eye. “Dearest girl,” she whispered as she squeezed Alexandra’s hand. “Now go and enjoy the wedding feast.”

She tried to enjoy the food, but her stomach was in knots at the thought of her wedding night. How did any bride get through the dinner?

“My lady?” A footman appeared at Alexandra’s elbow intending to serve her a slice of roasted pheasant. She nodded in approval. Nervous, but trying desperately not to show it, she pretended to examine the pheasant. The food smelled delicious, but Alexandra had no appetite.

Her husband watched her down the long, beautifully set table while Miranda chattered enthusiastically to the partially deaf Reverend Winkle.

“How is your pheasant, my dear?” inquired the Dowager.

“The pheasant is exceedingly delicious,” Alexandra murmured. She put her wineglass to her lips. Her mind kept wandering. What awaited her after this extravagant dinner? She felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

“I was not aware of my bride’s love for pheasant.” Sutton’s voice came at her from across the table. “I was under the impression she favored peacock.”

Alexandra sputtered and choked on the wine.

Amused at her discomfort, a smile hovered on her husband’s lips.

She gave him an evil glare. Vile man. Beautiful man.

The Dowager looked at them both askance. “May we continue with dinner or must I endure more of what I assume passes for flirtation?”

“Flirtation? Grandmother we are speaking of fowl. Birds.” Sutton lifted his brows in confusion.

“Hmmph.” The Dowager stabbed at her pheasant with her fork. Alexandra could see she was trying not to laugh.

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur. By the time the dessert was served, an elaborate cherry confection that the cook had shaped into a heart, Alexandra found herself nearly bursting from her seat with fear and anticipation.

“Lady Cambourne?” Sutton’s voice spilled over her in a caress. Without her knowing, he’d left his seat and now stood at her side. “I believe it’s time we retired.” He took Alexandra’s arm. “Grandmother, Miranda, we bid you a good night.”

Sutton guided her to the bottom of the stairs where Alexandra’s newly assigned maid, Sadie, stood waiting.

“I’ll be up shortly, Alex.” Sutton pressed a brief kiss on her lips before heading down one of the darkened corridors of Gray Covington. “I’ve promised the Reverend a nightcap before he retires.”

A sigh came from Alexandra’s maid. Sadie was watching Alexandra’s husband with a rapturous look in her eyes. Alexandra shrugged and started up the steps. Half the maids at Gray Covington sighed over him in such a manner she’d noticed, and Sutton seemed oblivious. The situation would likely not be any better in London.

“Ahem.” Alexandra cleared her throat from her position on the steps to encourage the maid to follow her.

The maid startled, giving Alexandra a guilty look. Sadie was a sweet girl with bright red hair and a dense collection of freckles about her nose. She also possessed a mischievous disposition and the ability to tame the wildness of Alexandra’s hair when not mooning over Sutton.

Alexandra tried to look stern but ended up smiling. The Dowager had instructed her to not be quite so familiar with the staff, although the Dowager’s rules did not seem to apply to her own relationship with the young footman, Harry.

“I’m sorry, my lady. It’s just that Lord Cambourne is very handsome. He quite takes your breath away.” The maid reddened. “Begging your pardon, my lady, for saying so.”

“Yes, he rather does.” She smiled at the maid. “Lead the way, Sadie.”

Sadie nodded and took a lamp off a nearby table. She led Alexandra up the sweeping grand staircase of Gray Covington towards the family wing. The room Alexandra occupied for the last few weeks as she went through the laudanum withdrawal was on the other side of the staircase. Her brow wrinkled. Those were dark days for Alexandra. Sweating, sleepless nights where she imagined that she had married Runyon after all.

“Here we are.” Sadie stood between two doors and opened the one on the right.

Alexandra regarded the second door. She knew that must be her husband’s bedroom, but she refused to contemplate it. Thinking of Sutton’s dragon tattoo winding about his body made Alexandra blush to her toes.

Several lamps flickered in the darkness, giving the room a haloed glow. A fire crackled in the hearth. Light shone on walls hung with green damask, embroidered with the woodland animals and insects Alexandra remembered from the Dowager’s parlor. This had likely once been the Dowager’s suite of rooms. Thankfully, Jeanette hadn’t used this chamber in years, preferring a suite of rooms especially constructed for her at the end of this wing.

Sadie had just begun to assist her in getting out of her gown when a knock sounded.

Both women looked up as a connecting door opened to reveal Sutton. He no longer wore a coat and even in the dim light, the outline of the dragon tattoo could be clearly seen beneath the fine lawn of his shirt. He sauntered towards them, his eyes never leaving Alexandra’s face. The look he gave her made her feel…naked. She blushed.

Sadie stood agog next to Alexandra.

Sutton ignored the maid.

“Hello, Badger.” He snapped a finger at Sadie. “Bring up a hot bath in two hours. To my room.”

Sadie jumped at his command, nodded mutely, and scurried out the door.

“You’ve frightened Sadie,” Alexandra said stupidly as her husband maneuvered her to the connecting door leading to his suite of rooms. “Shouldn’t we,” she stammered, “stay here?”

“No.” Sutton shrugged. “After you.” When Alexandra faltered, Sutton gave her a not so gentle push.

She turned to glare over her shoulder at him.

He was grinning at her. His fingertips ran along her arm. “Come, Alex. Come into the dragon’s den. I promise I don’t bite. Much.”

Horrid man. Teasing her at this most inopportune moment. Torn between a sharp retort or simply pressing kisses all over his face, she did neither. The conflict was most disconcerting.

The room before her left no doubt it belonged to the master of Gray Covington. Dark burgundy drapes hung from the windows, matching the coverlet on what was the largest bed Alexandra had ever seen. She would be lost between the covers in a thrice and Sutton would never find her. An expedition would be launched to locate her whereabouts in the giant bed. She giggled.

“I see you find our wedding night amusing. Not quite the reaction I sought but…”

Alexandra gave his stomach a soft punch, surprising him.

He grabbed her hand and kissed the tip of her fingers, sucking her forefinger into his mouth.

Alexandra pulled her hand back, feeling the touch of lips and tongue down the whole of her body. How was that possible? “I was thinking, that I shall become lost in the depths of that giant bed. It will swallow me whole. Not even your Lord Bishop would be able to find me.”

“But I would. I am an expert at hunting Badgers.”

Sutton’s playful words warmed her and some of the tension left her. Alexandra’s gaze left her husband to run over the rest of the room. Maps covered one far wall along with a large stack of periodicals and books. Sheaves of paper and several inkwells were scattered across a desk that looked as if the legs had been gnawed on by beavers. The room was at odds with the image of Satan Reynolds. This room declared who her husband actually was, not the cultivated image the ton saw.

Two portraits sat on the large wooden mantel above the fireplace. She wandered over, conscious of Sutton watching her. She stood on tiptoe to get a closer look. Alexandra knew who they were immediately, Lord Robert Cambourne and his first wife and Sutton’s mother, Madeline. Sutton’s face stared at her from one miniature. No, she thought, not his face exactly but the resemblance to his father was markedly strong.

A young, pretty girl stared out from the other miniature, a winsome smile gracing her wide mouth. She appeared to be laughing at some private joke or she was looking at something that amused her. Another portrait of Madeline, clutching a plump child to her, hung in the music conservatory. Alexandra had studied that painting of Madeline and Sutton for hours. The love Madeline clearly had for her child had been captured by the artist. The Dowager told Alexandra that Jeanette had tried mightily to have the portrait taken down, but Sutton’s father forbade it. Many nights, the Dowager said, she would find her son sitting quietly in front of Madeline’s portrait, speaking to her as if she were there.

“My parents. Robert and Madeline.” Alexandra could hear the slight ache in his voice from across the room. “My mother died when I was barely two, in childbirth. I have vague memories of a soft voice and the feeling of being loved, but that is all. I wish I had known her.”

“I never knew my mother either.” She gave him a regretful smile. “I remember her sending me to my Aunt Eloise when I was very young. She put me on a coach with a note pinned to my cloak.” Alexandra turned back to the picture of Madeline. “I didn’t see her again after that. She never even checked to make sure I made it to Helmsby Abbey. Nor ever visited. My father died before my birth. Aunt Eloise was his sister. She never spoke of my parents.”

“I’m so sorry, Badger.” Sutton came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

Alexandra inhaled the cinnamon smell of her husband, reveling in his nearness and the comfort she drew from him. “Aunt Eloise raised me and was a most wonderful mother.”

“Enough. I would not have us dwell on sadness tonight. Let us have some wine.” A dark flame burned in the depths of his green eyes.

Sutton strolled to the table and poured two glasses of wine. He took one glass and carried it to a large chair that sat before the fire. He took a sip of the wine and casually swirled the red liquid around in the glass as he watched Alexandra who stood unmoving in the middle of the room.

The nervousness returned. Alexandra tilted her neck back and pretended to study the ceiling. What was she supposed to do now?

“Come here, Alex.” Sutton’s long fingers beckoned her from across the room. His eyes glowed like green coals. He threw one long leg over the side of the chair and sipped his wine.

Suddenly afraid, she lifted her head, trying to think of something witty to say.

Sutton laughed. “Don’t be contrary. Well, you may be, but just now I wish you to do as I ask. Don’t worry, I won’t make a habit of it.”

Alexandra perched on the edge of the chair across from him. The dragon’s tail moved, clearly visible through the shirt, as he took a deep breath. She wanted to run her fingers over it.

“Tell me what you want, Alex.” His voice, deep and melodic, caressed her. The wine glass dangled carelessly from his hand. His gaze fixed on her.

It was rather like being hypnotized by a cobra, Alexandra thought. She could feel the blood pulsing through her veins as she looked at Sutton. Finally, her curiosity got the best of her. “I – I want to see the dragon tattoo. I’m quite interested in how it was drawn. I’ve read about tattoos and the different inks used as well as the techniques.”

“Liar. You are a terrible, horrible liar. Can you not ask me for what you want? I cannot guess at everything, as your mind is most complicated. What do you really want?” The green eyes took on a slightly lecherous glint.

Alexandra twirled a strand of her hair nervously. Right then she hated Sutton. “There are times, my lord, when I think of you as a horrid man.”

Sutton gave a wry smile. “Indeed. I am vile. I torture virginal badgers.”

She cleared her throat. “I should like you to take off your shirt so that I may examine your tattoo.”

“Because you are intrigued by the technique used?” The huskiness of his voice slid seductively over her in a caress.

Alexandra’s skin prickled pleasurably at his words. Boldly, she replied, “No, because it arouses me.” There. She’d said it. Damn him. He was deliberately baiting her.

A deep rumbling, erotic sound erupted from Sutton’s chest. “Was that so difficult, Badger?” He set the glass on a side table and stood in one fluid moment. His features caught the firelight, shadowing and giving mystery to his face. Dark ribbons of hair, like black satin, swung about his shoulders. The tiny jade figure glinted from his ear. Sutton looked for all the world like a pirate. He just needed a knife between his teeth. An ache started between her thighs.

“I fear my fingers are clumsy from having so much wine. Come help me, Alex.”

She wrinkled her brow in consternation. He had not even had a full glass of wine. Peacock! He was going to make her undress him.