"An excellent party, Lady Neal," Marcus said as he paused to speak with his hostess.

The short woman, whose fleshy curves had long ago given up any semblance of a shape, smiled. "My boy, after all the lovely kindnesses your grandmother has done for this family, it is a small thing to present you and your bride to the Polite World. Where is Regina? I had time only to say a few words to her in the reception line."

He searched the room, looking for her reddish blond curls which had been topped by roses and a spray of pearls across her forehead. Astonishment taunted him when he realized he had no idea what color gown she was wearing. She had been cloaked in a blue velvet cape that covered her from chin to toe when he had handed her into the carriage.

"I do not seem to see her," he said reluctantly.

"Who are you looking for?" asked his grandmother as she came to join them. Bending, she kissed Lady Neal on the cheek. "Agatha, my dear, you look lovely, and the party is, as yours always are, splendid."

"Marcus seems to have misplaced his bride," Lady Neal replied.

"Oh, dear, that is most careless of him." The dowager d.u.c.h.ess waved a fan decorated with the same lace as on her white gown. "Marcus, you usually are more prudent."

"She is somewhere in the room." He tried to keep exasperation out of his voice.

"She should be on your arm."

His grandmother's words irritated him, mostly because he agreed with them. Regina had lost little time in losing herself among the throng. Even to the most obtuse guest, it must be clear that Lady Daniston wished to evade her husband. A most inauspicious beginning to their life among the elite.

The dowager d.u.c.h.ess continued, "I do recall seeing her dancing with Major-Mr. Sheldon. I thought it was generous of you, Marcus, to allow her to take a spin about the floor with a family friend before she danced with you."

"I did not-"

"There she is!" crowed Lady Neal, pointing a pudgy finger to the left.

Marcus turned and stared in amazement at his wife. Not only was she a vision in her new gown-he had to concur with his grandmother that Mme. LaPorte could work miracles-but she was talking with Lord Liverpool and Lord Castlereagh as if they were the dearest of bosom bows. The Prime Minister and the viscount who oversaw the Foreign Office seemed to be listening intently to her, and as he came closer, he realized she was speaking with confidence about the volatile situation in the Mediterranean.

"The Barbary pirates will heed no government's rule, mayhap not even their own," Regina said with a sad smile. "Papa has expressed his concerns to the Dey on more than one occasion, but the Dey seems anxious to ignore the impending problem."

"The Dey still controls the ships sailing from his harbors?" asked Lord Liverpool.

"Only somewhat. The corsairs have always followed a law of their own, and I cannot believe that those pirates would resist a fair prize simply because the Dey commands them to give it safe pa.s.sage."

Lord Castlereagh's full brows arched. "Disturbing, most disturbing."

"Papa's reports can give you more information, my lord," Regina said quickly. "When I left Algiers, he a.s.sured me that he believed English interests would triumph in this situation."

"Of course," the viscount said, as if surprised she would even consider any other alternative. "After having put the French back within their borders, we have shown that we will allow no despot or foreign emperor to halt British shipping."

"I urge you to heed Papa's warning to watch the situation closely."

Lord Liverpool asked, "Your warning as well, Lady Daniston?"

"Yes."

"Then we shall doubly heed it."

When the Prime Minister looked past her, Regina turned. Marcus saw astonishment and other, stronger emotions flash through her volatile eyes. Wishing he could capture a single one of those fervent feelings and drape it around him in a wave of pleasure, he pulled his gaze from hers and nodded to the two gentlemen.

"My lords," Regina said, "I trust you know Lord Daniston."

Lord Liverpool smiled. "Thank you, Daniston, for allowing us the company of your charming wife. It is refreshing to be granted an eyewitness account of the turbulence in the Mediterranean." To Regina, he added, "I antic.i.p.ate eagerly the chance to read your father's report, and I a.s.sume I may forward any questions I have to you, madam."

"I shall endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability."

Bowing over her hand, he said, "After our conversation, I have no doubts on that." He nodded toward Marcus. "Daniston."

Marcus watched as Lord Castlereagh kissed Regina's gloved hand, then turned to follow the Prime Minister deeper into the ballroom. When Marcus glanced at his wife, he noticed her eyes were glowing as he had never seen them. A burst of something decidedly repugnant rippled through him. He refused to own that it might be jealousy, but he could not deny that Regina was happier than at any time since she had arrived in Berkeley Square.

When she clapped her hands together, he was startled. He was even more astounded when she laughed like a young girl. Not once had he heard such a joyous sound from her.

"How pleased Papa will be!" she said, muting her excitement so the words did not reach beyond his ears. "He has admired Lord Liverpool for many years."

Regina gasped when Marcus drew her back into the corner, away from the eddies of guests swirling around the room. Seeing the firm set of his lips, she sighed. Apparently she had already done something to distress him. If only she could explain the truth to him! She would have been so happy to make him happy if he could only accept her as she was.

"There have been questions," he said as he grasped her arms and brought her to face him, "about why my bride is not at my side."

"Did you tell them that you were afraid that I would shame you if I spent any time in your company?"

His mouth worked before he spat, "You already have!"

"By talking with the guests? Marcus, really! I thought you were afraid I would prove that I have no social graces. Why can't you own that you were mistaken? Lord Liverpool and Lord Castlereagh enjoyed our conversation."

"A woman should concern herself with matters of her hearth instead of matters of diplomacy."

She would have stepped away, but his hands tightened on her. "I am glad that Papa did not share your narrow view of a woman's place in this world," she said.

"But you are my wife now."

"True," she fired back, not letting his cold tone daunt her. Trying to twist away, she said, "And it will cause more talk than you wish if it is noted that you are holding me prisoner here."

"Relax," he said, smiling, but his eyes still glittered dangerously. "You have nothing to fear from me when we are amidst my friends."

"Does that mean there is a time when I should fear you?"

"The only thing you need to fear for is your mind when I bring you to our marital bed. It may be torn asunder with rapture."

"You sound very sure of yourself."

"Do you doubt me?" His lips found hers eagerly.

Her protest dissolved in her throat as a storm of sensations exploded within her. Lightning hot, as powerful as a crash of thunder, the need he aroused refused to be ignored and demanded to be satisfied. Her fingers slipped up the back of his black coat, delighting in the texture of the wool and the strong muscles beneath. As he pressed her against the wall, the firm breadth of his chest brushed her on every inhalation. She wanted to be closer, so close that she could feel the beat of his heart.

When he raised his mouth from hers, the rasp of her breath was loud in her ears. She looked up into his eyes which were glazed with the longing aching inside her. A devilish smile curved along his mouth.

"Can you doubt me now?"

"Here they are!" The dowager d.u.c.h.ess's voice rang through the room, and Regina was sure every guest turned to stare in their direction. "Such devotion! Isn't it just wonderful?" Without pausing, she went on, "Regina, Lady Neal wishes to speak with you."

"Please tell her," Marcus answered before Regina could, "that Regina will be with her in a moment."

The dowager d.u.c.h.ess nodded. Regina did not see her walk away because Marcus turned her to face him again.

"Before you go, Regina, a word of advice."

She was astounded by the sudden change in his voice. Only moments ago he had been wooing her with soft whispers. Now his words lashed her with barely repressed fury.

"You should be circ.u.mspect," he continued, "with any flirtations you might wish to enjoy. I want no one to question the paternity of my heir."

"Flirtations?"

"With Sheldon."

She was not sure whether she should be shocked or outraged. She chose the latter. "Do not be anxious on that matter. I know that I must be cautious when speaking to a gentleman friend, even though you may parade your convenient about London openly." Pulling away from him, she said, "I wish you a good evening, my lord."

Marcus struck his palm with his fist as she vanished among the guests again. d.a.m.n her and her peculiar ways! Once dinner was served and the formalities of introducing Regina to the ton were completed, he would send a footman scurrying for a hired carriage. Let Regina return home to her cold, empty bed. He would have his pleasure tonight with Jocelyn, who spoke of nothing more complicated than which pair of gloves to wear with which dress.

Eleven.

"At the very least, she should wear some of the lace from her mother's gown."

Regina tried to concentrate on her book and pay no attention to the continuing debate between the dowager d.u.c.h.ess and Aunt Elayne. How she longed to tell them that being at outs with one another about her wedding dress was a waste of time! She did not want to have a wedding-of any kind. She wanted to return to Algiers and Papa's house. Then she would not have to think about her husband, who had left her to return alone from Lord and Lady Neal's hurricane last night.

"But that lace will be a different shade and style from what Mme. LaPorte is using," the dowager d.u.c.h.ess answered.

"Tradition is important in my family."

"Having my granddaughter-in-law not appear as a laughingstock is important to my family!"

"Then allow me to have her mother's dress remade for her. She will look lovely then."

"She must-"

Regina stood and snapped, "Be done with this dagger-drawing!" As both women stared at her in amazement, she raised her hands. "I shall wear what I please. I shall not have Marcus telling me what to wear, and I shall not have you either!"

"Regina ..."

She did not stay to hear what the dowager d.u.c.h.ess had to say. Running out of the room, she took the steps two at a time, not caring about her unseemly behavior. She slowed in the foyer to call to Gardner. As soon as he appeared, she asked him to have a carriage brought.

"My lady," he said, uneasily, "if you are going out alone, that is unadvisable."

"I am a married woman, as everyone seems anxious to remind me! Please have the carriage brought."

"Lord Daniston has said-"

"Be bothered with what he has said! Will you have the carriage brought around front, or must I go to the stable myself?"

She thought the footman would fly out at her more, but a sudden, relieved expression stole his frown. She stiffened when she heard Marcus ask from the stairs, "Is there a problem, Gardner?"

Regina demanded, "Why don't you ask me?"

"Very well," Marcus said with a smile as he descended. "Is there a problem, Regina?"

"I wish to go for a ride, and Gardner refuses to have a carriage brought about for me." She winced, for she realized how childish her words must sound.

"He fears for your safety." Marcus leaned his elbow on the railing. "Do have the carriage brought, Gardner. I shall take Lady Daniston for a ride if she wishes."

While the footman hurried away, she asked, "You? I thought you wanted nothing to do with me after my missteps last night."

His smile grew wider. "I am in too good a state of mind to pull caps with you today."

"No doubt. I am sure you had a most interesting night."

"Do not give me a dressing-down when I am acquiescing to your desire for a ride about London."

Regina refused to relent. "I must question why you wish to go with me today when you could not wait to leave me last night? Guilt, mayhap?"

"Think what you wish." He motioned toward the door. "Get your prettiest bonnet and parasol, sweetheart. I think this afternoon will be one neither of us will soon forget."

Regina struggled not to soothe her heart which urged her to relent and enjoy Marcus's company as they drove along London's streets. He was being thoroughly captivating with his smiles and his easy gossip, which he a.s.sured her he had heard last night at his club. How simple it would be to believe that was where he had been!

"I am pleased there has been no interruption in this outing," he said as the carriage wandered into a maze of narrow streets. "I had wondered if I could ever spirit you away from Grandmother and your aunt."

"The dowager d.u.c.h.ess spirited you away last time."

"For a boring meeting with my solicitor."

"An important meeting, as I recall."

"For you."

"Me?"

He chuckled as he put one foot against the front wall and rested his arm behind her on the tufted seat. "Grandmother is determined that my wife and future progeny are well taken care of if I c.o.c.k up my toes." Curving his hand around her shoulder, he asked, "Are you curious if you will be a wealthy widow, Regina?"

"I prefer not to speak of such things." She closed her eyes and sighed. "I lost my mother before I was old enough to know her, and I do not want to think of my children being denied a parent."

His finger curled along her cheek. "I am sorry, sweetheart."

"I am, too," she whispered. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she wished they could put aside their differences so they might be close like this more often.

When the carriage slowed and turned toward the walkway, she sat straighter. She had no idea where they might be or why they were stopping. The brick houses were simpler than the grand ones edging Berkeley Square. The windows were without the fancy ornamentation, and the doors were plain.