Noelle barely heard his words. 'I will never forgive you for this.'
She fled from the room. Now all she wanted was to be alone. Like a wounded animal, she needed to curl into a tight ball, shut out the rest of the world, and tend to her injuries. She was almost to the stairs when Tomkins's voice stopped her.
'Madam. Please forgive me for not having attended you when you arrived. We did not expect you until tomorrow, and I was preparing to retire.'
'It's all right, Tomkins,' she managed. 'You had no way of knowing I would return early.'
'Nevertheless, madam, let me apologize. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend to you the best wishes of the staff and myself on this most auspicious occasion.'
Not trusting herself to speak, Noelle merely inclined her head.
'Your valise has already been taken to your new room. I'm sure you'll be relieved to know that Mrs. Debs personally supervised the transfer of all your clothing and personal effects. Mr. Copeland was most specific. He wanted everything ready before your arrival.'
Something of what she was feeling must have shown itself on her face because the butler's expression became faintly puzzled.
'Tomkins?'
'Yes, madam.'
'Which Mr. Copeland?'
'Why, your husband, of course, madam.'
The dragon carved into the mahogany headboard of his bed seemed to laugh at her dismay. They had moved her entire armoire into his spacious room. Her underthings were stacked neatly in a chest in the dressing room; her hairbrushes leaned intimately against his. A crystal perfume vial stood next to a china shaving mug.
'You certainly don't look like a boy any longer, Highness.'
Noelle jumped, twisting around at the sound of Quinn's voice. The well-groomed man in the immaculately cut gray suit seemed almost a stranger, so accustomed had she become to seeing him in an open shirt, faded trousers, and riding boots. Only the beard was a reminder of the man who had kept her imprisoned in the cottage in Yorkshire.
Quinn's thoughts were taking much the same course as he surveyed his elegantly coiffed and gowned wife. He took in the way her body filled the dress he had purchased, her breasts swelling beneath the creamy bodice as he had known they would, the tightly nipped waist-a gown well suited to his masculine taste. Still, he knew he was going to miss those breeches. His eyes traveled her body, remembering the hips and shapely backside hidden under the plaid skirt.
'I want my things moved back into my own room.'
He chose to deliberately misinterpret her statement. 'Why? Are you planning more trips down the vines?'
'How did you know about that?'
'It wasn't hard to figure out. The only thing I don't understand is why you kept going back. Somehow I don't think it was to pick pockets.'
She hesitated. If she told him the truth, he would undoubtedly scoff at her. Still, what did she care what he thought? Defiantly she tossed her head. 'I used to take money to some of the children.'
The callous response she had expected did not come. 'Tomorrow I'll arrange for a less dangerous way to send them money.'
Once again he had thrown her off her stride. To hide her confusion, she stormed at him, stamping her foot and telling him not only that she refused to stay with him in this room, but that she would not remain in the same house with him! He said nothing, merely crossing his arms over his chest and listening to her.
The more Noelle raved, the more she knew she was hopelessly trapped. Only when she realized how ridiculous she sounded did she finally fall silent. As much as she detested Quinn, as much as he frightened her, returning to her old life terrified her more. These past two years had strengthened her mind and her body, but they had also weakened the primitive instincts that had ruled her existence on London's streets, and she was now certain she could no longer survive in the netherworld she had left behind. It seemed all her choices had been taken from her except one-being Quinn Copeland's wife.
There was amusement on his face, but it was not altogether unsympathetic. 'The trouble is. Highness, you weren't born to this life. If you were, it would be easier for you to accept the idea of a marriage of convenience. It happens all the time to well brought up young ladies.'
'I feel as if I've been bought.'
'In a way, you have. But then, so have I.'
She felt a dawning of hope at the bitterness in his words. 'You were going to get a divorce!' she exclaimed. 'Why not now?'
'It takes an act of Parliament to get a divorce in England.'
'Then how-'
'How was I going to arrange it?' He looked at her levelly. 'All records of our marriage were simply going to disappear.'
'And now that Simon has announced it, that's impossible,' Noelle slowly concluded.
Quinn didn't answer, and his very silence fueled her anger.
'You should have done it while there was still time!'
'Don't you think I haven't told myself the same thing a hundred times in the last few days!'
'And what about the scandal you've caught me in? Everyone believes we've eloped. A young woman almost died because of you!'
Quinn laughed harshly. 'I met that particular woman once in my life, and it was in the presence of at least ten other people. I don't even remember what she looks like. But I'll tell you this about her -she had very active fantasies.'
Noelle sighed and pressed the tips of her fingers to her eyelids. She had no idea whether he was telling the truth or not, and for the moment she was so weary from the long trip that she couldn't seem to bring herself to care.
When she opened her eyes, it was to watch Quinn pull something from the drawer of a small table next to the bed. He brought it to her, cupped in the palm of his hand.
It was a small, black velvet jeweler's box.
'Open it.'
She removed the lid. Nestled in white satin were two rings. One was the simple gold wedding band she had hidden away so long ago in the pocket of her emerald dress. The other was the most superb ring she had ever seen, a magnificent topaz surrounded by rows of sparkling diamonds.
Quinn took the gold band from the box and placed it on her left hand. 'This is for the sake of propriety.' Then he slipped the mammoth topaz onto the same finger. 'And this is in defiance of it!'
'I-I don't want to wear it,' she faltered.
'All of London expects us to go into hiding, and I'll be damned if I intend to give them that satisfaction.' His black eyes challenged her. 'Now, what about you? Are you going to lock yourself away here, or do you want to fight them with me?'
Noelle's thoughts whirled. She had done nothing wrong, and she didn't care what any of them thought. She would go where she pleased! 'I'll fight them.' A faint smile curled her lips. 'But on one condition.'
'What's that?'
'You'll sleep on the daybed in the dressing room.'
Quinn shrugged. 'I'm too big to fit on it, but if you want to sleep there, go ahead. I'll take this bed.'
Noelle had not expected it to be so easy, and she was instantly suspicious. 'And do I have your promise that you won't molest me in any way?'
'Of course.'
She looked at him distrustfully, and he grinned.
'The world is full of willing women, Highness. Unwilling ones are too much bother. Now, are you with me or not?'
Slowly Noelle nodded.
'Good! We begin tomorrow night. The Atterburys are giving a ball.'
