Chapter 16
Late in the morning following her night with Robert, Allie stood in front of the cheval glass and examined her reflection. Even with the meager light due to the gray, drizzling skies, even garbed in her usual black, she could discern the unmistakable glow. It sparkled in her eyes, glimmered on her flushed cheeks, announced itself in the small, secret smile she could not erase from her lips.
She had not felt so wonderfully alive, so vibrant and exhilarated, in three years. Her body hummed with pleasure, her pulse jumped every time she thought of the previous night… which was constantly. Turning, she looked toward the bed, now neatly made. But she instantly visualized herself and Robert among tangled sheets, their limbs entwined, touching, tasting, exploring. And God help her, she could not wait to do it again.
Surely everyone would guess. How could anyone look at her and not know? The look of a well-pleasured woman rested upon her like a cashmere shawl, and nothing-not the long bath she'd indulged in, or the gray weather, or her somber attire diminished it. She did not regret her actions, yet she needed to employ caution. Discretion. It was one thing to take a lover… it was quite another to have his entire family know about their liaison.
But how could she hope to be in the same room with him and act normally? Now that she knew how firm and smooth his skin felt beneath her fingers? Now that she'd seen his eyes darken with passion and need as he buried himself in her body? Knew the sound of his voice as he groaned her name in release?
Squeezing her eyes shut, she bludgeoned back her inner voice, as she already had more times than she cared to count since she'd awakened. Robert was her lover. Nothing more. They would enjoy the pleasure they brought each other until it was time for her to leave England. And then it would be over.
Once again her inner voice tried to interject, but she forcibly closed her heart and mind to its unwanted warnings. It was time to venture downstairs… to visit with Elizabeth's family. And face her lover.
With butterflies of anticipation fluttering in her stomach, she turned toward the door. Before she took one step, however, someone knocked.
Good Lord, could it be him? 'Come in,' she called, pressing her hands to her midsection to calm her jitters.
Caroline entered, her face wreathed in smiles, her arms wrapped around a large rectangular box. 'Good morning, Allie… or rather afternoon.' She walked to the bed, where she deposited the box. 'Did you sleep well?'
Heat rose in Allie's cheeks. 'Very well. Just later than I expected.'
Caroline waved a negligent hand. 'Lounging about in bed until early afternoon is what rusticating in the country is for. I ventured downstairs myself only a few minutes ago, where I discovered
Allie frowned in confusion. 'Madame Renee? There must be some mistake. I did purchase two gowns from her shop, but they were both delivered to me before I departed London.'
Caroline's eyes goggled. 'Heavens, with you being in town only a few days, you must have paid her a fortune to receive your garments so quickly. It normally takes at
'We must be speaking of two different Madame Renees,' Allie said. 'The gowns I bought were extremely reasonable.'
'There is only one Madame Renee,' Caroline said positively. 'Her shop is located on Bond Street.' Her gaze ran over Allie's black gown. 'What you're wearing-it is from her shop. As was the gown you wore yesterday. Her flawless workmanship and style are easily recognizable. I'd meant to ask you yesterday how you managed to have her fit you so quickly. You must let me in on your secret.'
'But I have no secret. Your brother brought me to her shop and…' Her voice trailed off as suspicion filled her. Surely Robert had not… no, he could not have.
Caroline's eyes lit up with unmistakable interest.
Caroline's incredulous tone left little doubt that such an excursion was extraordinary behavior on her brother's part.
'I'd asked him where I might purchase some new attire,' Allie said hastily, squashing her indignant conscience into submission.
'I see,' Caroline murmured, but a wealth of curious speculation lurked behind the two innocent words. 'Well, let's see what Madame sent you,' she urged. 'Perhaps it is a shawl or some other accessory for one of the gowns you bought.'
'Perhaps,' Allie conceded doubtfully. 'But I fear there has been a mistake.'
Yet the instant she parted the pink-and-white striped tissue paper and caught sight of the shimmering copper- hued material beneath, her breath stalled, and she knew there was no mistake… at least not the sort she'd initially suspected.
'How beautiful,' Caroline enthused. 'What an extraordinary color. It is perfect for you.'
As if in a daze, Allie carefully lifted the gown from its bed of tissue. It was the most exquisite garment she'd ever seen, a fluid fall of golden topaz, elegant and understated in its simplicity. She recognized the material as that which she had admired in Madame Renee's shop. And there was only one way a gown such as this could have been commissioned.
Robert.
A myriad of emotions buzzed around her like a swarm of bees, confusing her with their contrariness. Clearly he'd lied to her about Madame Renee and the prices she charged. It was equally clear he'd subsidized her purchases, and based on Caroline's words, it had cost him dearly. And
A part of her heart melted at his thoughtful, gallant consideration in attempting to provide her with the means to purchase new gowns in a way that would leave her pride intact. But then, the very nature of his gesture trod irrevocably upon her hard-earned independence. She did not need him, or anyone, to purchase her clothing. She refused to be in another man's debt ever again.
But what struck the most painful blow, leaving her simultaneously hurt and angry, disappointed and disgusted, was the fact that he'd lied to her. Perhaps his intentions had been good, but damnation, she could not abide being lied to. For any reason. And while she was undeniably angry with him, she was doubly so at herself. For letting down her guard. For allowing herself to believe, to foolishly hope for even one minute, that he would not lie to her as David so often had.
Even though her every feminine instinct longed to don the gorgeous gown, her pride and the keen sense of betrayal knotting her insides forced her to lay the garment gently back in the box.
Offering Caroline a smile she prayed did not appear as tight and forced as it felt, she asked, 'Would you know where your brother is, Caroline?'
'I believe he is in the nursery with the children.'
'Would you take me there, please? There is something I need to discuss with him.'
Allie stood in the doorway of the nursery, riveted by the sight of Robert sitting on the edge of an overstuffed, chintz-covered settee. His long legs, clad in buff-colored breeches, were spread wide. Emily straddled his one knee, while James straddled the other.
'Are you ready for the start of the next gallop around the forest?' he asked the children.
'Ready!' they answered in unison.
'Hold on,' he commanded, then proceeded to make loud horselike noises, bouncing his legs to the children's delight. 'Here comes the fence,' he said. 'Jump!' He lifted his legs higher, and they clung to his knees, breathless
