Chapter 4
Four
Dinah dressed with care. She wanted to look especially nice tonight for Cornelius. Over tea, she had told him of the lad who’d pushed her into the wall, finding the shop, and the purchase she’d made at the strange little shop.
Her husband had admired the quizzing glass, looking through it and winking at her.
That reminded her of the cat, and she relayed that story too.
This had sent him into a gale of laughter, which was contagious, for Dinah was soon laughing heartily too.
When Cornelius handed back the quizzing glass, their hands had touched.
Butterflies had launched in her stomach from the tender smile on her husband’s face.
She had been reminded of when she was twelve to his fourteen, and Dinah had insisted she would marry him someday.
Oh, how he had laughed. But her heart had known since she was seven that she loved him.
Was in love with him. Now, she had her heart’s desire, but she didn’t have his heart.
Not in the romantic sense. Yet, they were happy, weren’t they? If only…
Dinah had been the one to offer marriage.
She couldn’t complain about her circumstances.
Besides, there was no one in the world she’d rather spend the rest of her life with.
But would Neel have married her if there hadn’t been a need for money?
Or would he have waited for love? And would that woman have been her?
“You’re especially pretty tonight, my lady,” said her lady’s maid, watching her mistress in the mirror. The girl had only worked for her the last few months, after her previous maid had become betrothed. “That shade is very becoming on you and highlights the auburn in your hair.”
Dinah blinked at the comment. It was unusual for her maid to speak much at all, let alone issue a compliment. “Why, thank you.”
Her gown was a claret satin with black beading along the low neckline and edging the split skirt and hem.
Beneath that was another layer of the deep red peeking out.
A garnet pendant hung just above her bosom with matching earbobs.
Her dark hair was swept up in a loose chignon, curls falling against her nape and cheeks.
“You are very talented with my hair,” she added, enjoying the blush of pleasure from her lady’s maid.
Cornelius waited for her in the entry hall. He smiled up at her as she descended the stairs.
“You are stunning, my dear,” he said, holding out her black cape with the fur-lined hood. “It’s turned quite chilly this evening, so I had Mrs. Mackin bring something warmer.”
“That was considerate. Thank you,” she said, turning so he could lay the cape over her shoulders. She pulled on her gloves and faced him. “Shall we?”
The streetlamps cast a yellow glow on the cobbled streets, the fog already creeping out from the alleys and casting a sheen upon everything it touched. The thoroughfares were still packed with carriages and hackneys, people scurrying to their next appointment or home for the evening.
They passed Grosvenor Square, making their way to Hanover Square and Jo. Cornelius went to the door to escort his sister, helping her into the carriage and resuming his seat next to Dinah.
“I so enjoy the theater,” said Jo, her cheeks pink from the chilly night. She wore a sky-blue silk gown with a sheer creamy overlay, embroidered with tiny blue flowers. Her long deep-blue spencer and bonnet complemented her dress. “Oh, I received a letter from Mama today.”
“Oh?” said Neel and Dinah at the same time. He chuckled and slid his hand over hers. “Anything new in Surrey?”
Jo shook her head. “She wants me home at Christmastide. I was debating about whether to stay with you. She sounded lonely, so I’ve decided to spend the time with her.”
“That’s fine,” agreed Neel. “Give her my love. I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t written to her lately. But I shall remedy that as soon as we arrive at Bluebelle.”
Dinah gave her husband a side-glance. Had he not written because there was no news yet? No report of a babe on the way? That must be the reason. Neel always kept up with his correspondence.
The Royal Theatre was crowded. As they maneuvered through the entrance, they were stopped several times by friends and acquaintances. They eventually made it to the stairway and settled themselves in their box.
Once seated, Jo took out her lorgnette, gripping the handle and peering through the lenses to scan the crowd below. “I see the Bermonds are here,” she said. “They rarely come to the theater anymore.”
Dinah leaned forward and spotted the earl and his wife. He was gripping her elbow tightly, almost pulling her along toward an exit leading to the boxes across from them. “Lady Bermond looks frightened. The man is a controlling brute. He must have forced her to accompany him.”
“I disagree,” interrupted Cornelius. “I know for a fact he’s in love with his wife.”
“They were in Paris last year. While attending a play, the theater caught fire. Several people were trampled.” Jo shook her head in sympathy. “The poor woman’s been terrified of crowded places since then. I believe he’s been trying to help her come out in public again.”
“Oh.” Dinah removed her quizzing glass from her reticule and looked at the couple again. The earl was still gripping his wife’s elbow, concern on his face. The countess wore an expression of gratitude and love. Dinah felt terrible about her quick judgment of the couple.
Had she always been like this? No. No, she had grown into her mother. Her retort had mirrored something her mother would have said. Shame sent heat creeping up her neck. Dinah vowed to be more cautious in the future.
During the recess, they saw Lord Bermond. “Where is your lovely wife?” asked Jo.
“She stayed in her seat, and I didn’t argue. I’m thankful she attempted the outing.” He extended his hand to Neel. “Lord Cornelius, I hope you are all enjoying the performance?”
“Of course,” said Neel. “Only I’m praying I’m not forced to stay for the ballet.” He shot his sister a mischievous smile and was rewarded with a smack of her fan.
“He knows how I love the ballet,” Jo explained to the earl.
“How is the rest of your family?” Lord Bermond asked, his gaze going between Neel and Jo. “I hope your mother is well?”
“She is. Our regards to Lady Bermond. It’s true courage for her to attempt this after the debacle in Paris,” said Jo.
“Yes, I should be getting back. I need to find a glass of champagne for my wife.” He bowed to the women. “Ladies, my lord.”
“I’m so proud of her,” said Jo as they watched him disappear into the throng. “And he’s such a supportive husband.”
“He’s a good man,” agreed Neel before tilting his head back. “Look at that chandelier. It’s a beauty.”
Dinah squinted up, trying to take in the details.
She couldn’t see anything amazing. She pulled her quizzing glass from her reticule and peered through the lens and gasped.
It was a stupendous creation of individual wax burners rather than candles, reducing the amount of smoke produced.
The lights swished with the movement of the crowd below, sending the hundreds of crystal teardrops into a glorious, twinkling dance.
Four cascading tiers created an illuminated, living mountain suspended above them.
“And it’s functional,” said Neel, telling her of the ventilation flues built into the chandelier that drew the heat, smoke and foul air toward the ceiling rather than descending upon the theatergoers.
“The next performance will soon begin,” reminded Jo, taking her brother’s arm and nodding for Dinah to do the same. “It’s time for the ballet.”
“Oh joy, we can watch grown people hop, skip, and twirl about,” mumbled Dinah, though not really minding.
Back in their box, Dinah used her quizzing glass to peruse the new curtain the broadsheet had mentioned.
It had mentioned an original design, but she’d only noticed earlier that it was now red instead of green.
The trompe-l'?il design had been replaced with a rich profusion of crimson, white, and gold drapery, seemingly drawn up by the painted cords and tassels.
This created an illusion of an open archway, leading into a classical palatial interior. It was a stunning piece of art.
Dinah observed the audience during the ballet.
She saw familiar faces. Lady Bermond seemed to be enjoying the performance.
In the box next to the earl and the countess, Lord Gurley had fallen asleep, his cravat ruffling with each soft snuffle, his wife chatting happily with their granddaughter.
Something on her right caught her attention, and she saw the Greysons, newlywed last month.
She turned to make a comment to Jo but found her friend was already watching them.
Her heart lurched. Jo’s eyes glistened, and she wore the saddest expression.
With a jolt, Dinah realized it was loneliness.
Not lonely because she was a widow, but because Jo needed true companionship.
Something she hadn’t received from her husband.
Yes, she’d had plenty of attention from Lord Hardingson, but it had been conceived of jealousy.
Jo needed a friend in her next husband. Someone who appreciated her as a person rather than an object to be adored.
She will marry again, Dinah thought to her surprise.
Mayhap Neel understood his sister better than Dinah understood her best friend.
Or had she not noticed? She gazed at the quizzing glass in her hand and wondered…
Was it a mystical item? Or was her new purchase giving her a reason to look at life a bit closer?
“You seemed to enjoy yourself more than usual tonight, my dear,” said Neel as he removed her mantle. “It was good to hear you laugh.”
“The last performance was a comedy. And a good one, I might add.” She turned, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
“Then we must attend more comedies,” he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. But when he pulled back, his dark eyes held hers. She could feel the passion rippling off him. “Would you like a glass of sherry?”
Dinah shook her head. “I have a better idea.” She leaned onto her toes and pressed her mouth to his. “Let’s go make a baby.”
To her surprise, he scooped her into his arms and took the stairs two at a time. His hat tumbled down the steps, and she giggled. “My, are we in a hurry?” She smoothed back his thick, black hair, her fingers tracing the streaks of gray at his temple.
“I don’t believe in wasting time once my mind is made up,” he said with a grin. He kissed her, long and hard, and then they were in her room, standing and facing one another.
“There has been something different about you lately. I can’t say what, exactly, but I see my old Dinah returning.” Cornelius feathered kisses along her neck. “A spark has returned to your eyes, and it makes me…” He slipped her dress off one, then the other shoulder.
“Randy as a goat?” Dinah giggled. She hadn’t giggled since she’d been a girl. But oh, what his mouth was doing to her.
Her gown was now a puddle around her feet, and he lifted each breast from its corseted cage, licking and nipping. Dinah let her head fall back as he stoked her desire. How did he know just where to touch her, just what to do?
In a blink, he’d turned her around and made quick work of the rest of her clothes.
She reached for his cravat, loosening it and pulling it from his neck, only to replace it with her lips.
His groan made her smile, and she yanked at his jacket.
He obliged her, but when her hand slipped to his crotch, he caught it and shook his head.
A slow smile spread across his handsome face.
She kissed the dent in his chin as he lifted her into his arms and laid her across the four-poster bed, her knees bent and dangling over the side. He went on his knees, and her heart began to pound. When he kissed her mound, she cried out, her eyes wide open.
“What are you—what—why…” Then her eyes closed as pleasure tripped up her tongue. This was not a sexual act to procreate. This was pure pleasure, and her body trembled as the heat built in her core.
Of course, he’d touched her there before with his fingers, rubbed that sensitive nub until she cried out, her body quaking and wet before he entered her. But he said it was part of the act, making her body ready for him. But this…
She arched her back as his tongue now flicked against the button, a finger entering her, then another. “Oh, Neel…” she panted, reaching out, gripping his hair in her fists as wave after wave of hot desire rocked her body.
When she found the strength, she opened her eyes to find him watching her with an expression she didn’t recognize. He was naked, and magnificent, and she loved him even more fiercely than yesterday. He kneeled on the bed and kissed her, tasting of sex and passion.
“I want to bury myself inside you and forget about everything but us, here, together. At least for tonight,” he whispered in her ear as he positioned himself on top of her. When he slid inside her, moving in and out, causing little tremors with each stroke, the world outside disappeared.