Page 69 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
“And yet much of life is unfair, my dear boy.” The Duchess of Claremore patted his hand. A sight on the other side of the room snared her attention. “And there is the duke. If you will excuse me, my dears, I find myself quite ready to depart. If you were wise, I’m sure you all will do the same.”
Alicia pressed her lips together as she watched the elderly duchess join her duke on the other side of the room. Although they did not physically express their affection, she could see the long glances they exchanged. The way Claremore’s hand lingered on his wife’s waist. The manner in which she leaned close to speak in his ear.
There stood a couple very much in the prime of their love, despite their many years together. Tears burned the back of her eyes as she once again realized she had destroyed any chance she had to experience such with her husband.
Niall was staring at the duke and duchess as well, a deep groove between his dark brows and his hand clenched in a fist.
She struggled to swallow down the knot in her throat. “Niall,” she whispered, darting her gaze about to ensure no one heard her, “should we depart?”
He continued to look steadfastly away. “I believe that would be for the best.”
His tone was curt, and it made her stomach plummet further.
“Let me take my leave of Willingham, and I will meet you in the foyer.” Without another word, Niall walked away.
Alicia stared after his retreating back, an odd sense of déjà vu overwhelming her. They had made such progress in their relationship lately, and now they were back at the beginning. No, worse than the beginning. Because at least Niall respected her when they married. Now it was clear he despised her.
Stifling a sigh, she made her way about the room, saying goodbye to Juliana and Charlotte, as well as other ladies she knew.
But when it came time to thank her hostess, she couldn’t find Lady Willingham anywhere. A passing footman informed her the lady of the house was seen near the ladies’ retiring room, so Alicia made her way in that direction. She walked down the hall in a trance, uninterested in the tasteful decor lining the walls. As she passed by an open doorway, a voice called to her.
“Lady Inverray, a moment of your time, please.”
Alicia stumbled to a halt, although her mind encouraged her to run. She knew that voice, and she absolutely knew she did not want to speak with him. But if she ignored him, Matthews very well could ruin her in front of everyone in attendance.
Alicia forced her mien to remain impassive as she stepped over the threshold. In a leather armchair before the softly crackling fire sat Viscount Matthews. Encountering him on her own and in a dimly lit room raised all the hairs on the back of her neck.
“What is it, my lord?” She refused to enter the room further. “I thought you said everything you intended to earlier today.”
The viscount rose to his feet and sauntered to her, coming to a stop a mere arm’s length away. His blue eyes bore into her, and Alicia could not tell if he was angry with her for some unknown offense or if she was a riddle he’d not yet worked out.
“I want to inquire that you have begun work on your next…piece.”
Of course she hadn’t.
Niall had arrived home, and further turned her world on its head. But she would not reveal such to the viscount. Until she discussed the situation with her husband, she would pretend Niall was unaware of her identity.
Forcing down a swallow, she nodded. “I’ve begun to write an outline.”
“I am happy to hear it.” The viscount shook his head. “Thanks to you, Inverray has been floating on a wave of good publicity and that must change.”
“But I still don’t understand why?” Alicia paused, her mouth abruptly dry. “I thought you were colleagues. I thought you wanted him to succeed.”
“Inverray’s ideals have always been…a bit much for my sensibilities.” Matthews snorted. “But he was young, charismatic, and knew how to command a crowd. Hitching our carts together allowed me to further my own ends.”
“How expedient of you.”
A disgusted scowl darkened the viscount’s face. “I should have known you’d be a reformer like him.”
With lightning-quick reflexes, Matthews reached out and grasped her wrist, hauling her close in an iron grip. His breath coasted over her neck when he whispered, “Do as I say, and your reputation will remain intact. Do as I say, and your husband will be none the wiser. Do as I say, and you can continue writing your inconsequential drivel.”
“But it wouldn’t be my drivel anymore. It would be yours,” Alicia growled, delighting when he bared his teeth at her.
She struggled to break his hold, but a hand suddenly clutched the viscount’s shoulder and yanked him backward. Lord Matthews gasped from his position on the wooden floor, and Alicia turned wide eyes on her rescuer.
Niall’s chest heaved with the force of his breaths, his gray eyes glassy as they stared down at the older man. “How could you do this?”
The viscount rose to his feet, dusting his trousers. “I don’t know what you mean. Lady Inverray and I were just exchanging pleasantries.”
