Читать книгу The Sins of Nightsong - V. J. Banis - Страница 11

CHAPTER SIX

“We seem to have spent a lot of time riding in carriages,” Peter said as he held her hand in his, listening to the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the cobblestones. “I remember that mad dash to the waterfront the first time April and David tried to elope.”

“And the night I fled from Walter Hanover when he tried to blackmail me into marrying him.”

“That carriage ride didn’t end the way I had hoped.”

Lydia laughed. “Truthfully, I wanted to ask you in, but you were so certain I couldn’t resist you that I had to show you I could.”

“And denied both of us one of the few pleasures we’ve had together.”

Inside the mansion they were too consumed with their own needs to bother with preliminaries. Peter looked around the handsome drawing room and nodded toward the archway that he knew led to Lydia’s downstairs sitting and bed rooms. “You haven’t lived in a one-level Chinese house in years and yet you still persist on sleeping on the ground floor.”

“The children and their nurse have the run of the upper floors. It gives us both the privacy we all enjoy.”

“Children,” he mused, then shook his head. “I never could understand how April could abandon Caroline and Marcus. They should be pretty big by now.”

“Caroline is six. Marcus is five, but believes himself to be quite the big man, always bossing Caroline about. A lot like his father,” she said.

Peter nodded, thinking she was referring to Raymond.

Lydia smiled to herself. She wondered if one day she’d tell Peter of their son, then thought of what she’d told him at the party, that time solved everything.

“A nightcap?” she asked.

“I don’t need anything to stimulate me,” he answered, taking her in his arms. He lifted her easily and carried her through the sitting room into her sleeping chamber beyond.

“Peter,” she moaned after his lips left hers. She clung to him with brazen abandon. “It has been a long time, hasn’t it?”

He didn’t answer but kissed her again more passionately. “Let’s get out of these clothes.”

“You make me feel so shameless,” she said as she let him undress her.

“You are shameless,” he said, smiling. “Much as you don’t want to be.”

Lydia found herself naked before him as Peter scrambled to get out of his evening clothes. She liked to watch him undress, moving with the gracefulness of a performer, enticingly sexual, provocatively sensual.

Moments later they lay together, their bodies molded to one another, losing themselves in their love, their ardent need for physical release. The hard impatience of his shaft pressed against her thigh as his kisses seared her lips, then her throat, her breasts.

Eagerly she allowed his knees to part her creamy, warm thighs, exposing her vulnerability. His hands moved deliciously over her nakedness, sending shivers through her entire body.

“Peter,” she moaned as he poised over her, adjusting his position. She reached down and wrapped her fingers around his hardness, reveling in the smooth, satiny feeling of his lust.

He stayed poised, thrilled by her touch, then moved forward as she guided him into her. As he penetrated the wet warmth of her being his mouth covered hers, silencing her moans of ecstasy.

Peter moved slowly, gently, luring her into agonizing rapture, making her body heave and thrash as she arched upward to meet his slow, then more forceful thrusts. His hands caressed her. His mouth scorched her skin as his attack became more urgent, almost brutal.

“Peter,” she moaned under his mouth.

“I adore you.”

She felt his movements become quicker, more violent, and she welcomed the harshness of his attack, wanting it to hurt so she would always remember.

Lydia let her hands slip down his back and felt the tensing and untensing of his muscles, the exciting curve of his buttocks as she urged him on.

Her movements matched his as they began building toward a mutual climax. A hot, searing flame engulfed her loins as Peter brought her to complete fulfillment.

They floated in soft, limitless space until their breathing began to return to normal. Lydia’s entire body was weak and limp as Peter raised himself and rolled onto his back. Then he took her lovingly in his arms and kissed her passionately.

“I’m going to divorce Lorna,” he said. “I don’t care about scandal or gossip or anything else in this world except you.”

“Except me and Nightsong,” she corrected, smiling.

He shrugged. “If that’s what you want to think then there is nothing I can do to change your mind.”

“Don’t you see, Peter? If we ever did marry I would really never be convinced that you wanted me for myself.”

“Then my only alternative is to make MacNair Products such a huge success that it will overshadow all other cosmetics, including your precious Nightsong Perfume.”

“If that happens, then Lorna will take you for everything you have and you’ll still need Nightsong.”

“You’re impossible,” he answered with an annoyed twist of his mouth. He glanced at the clock on the night stand. “Good Lord. I had no idea it was this late. I have to go.” He leaned over and kissed her again. “My only desire in this whole world is to be able to stay with you all night, every night for the rest of our lives.”

She put her arms around him and idly toyed with the shaggy hair at the back of his neck. “You made me very happy this evening, Peter. Thank you.”

“Lunch with me tomorrow. I’ll call for you at your office at twelve-thirty.”

“I can’t. Leon is coming down from school. I promised I’d take him to lunch.”

“Oh, yes, Prince Ke Loo’s boy.”

“My boy,” Lydia insisted. “He wants nothing to do with his father. In fact, he’s even Americanized his name from Li Ahn to Leon. I swear I’m not imagining it, but the longer he remains here the more Occidental he looks. His eyes seem to have lost the slight slant they once had and even lightened in color.” She gave a little laugh. “I know that’s impossible but I swear it’s true.”

“I haven’t seen the lad in several years. He should be quite a young man now.”

“Nineteen and very much a man, he wants everyone to think.”

“It’s strange that he has adapted so well, especially with the prejudice many Americans have against Orientals.”

“He had a terrible life with Prince Ke Loo. Do you know they used to bleed him when he was a child in order to drain him of any trace of my blood in his veins?”

“Good God, no wonder he’s so opposed to his father.”

“And as far as prejudice is concerned, you above everyone else should know that where money is concerned prejudices don’t exist.”

He kissed her quickly. “I must go.” He got up and started to dress. “Perhaps I could join you and Leon tomorrow. I’d like to get to know the boy. Perhaps introduce him to my son, Efrem. The two are about the same age.”

“Heaven forbid, Peter. What are you thinking? Your wife would throw a tantrum that would be heard across the state. You know how she despises anything connected with me—including my products, I understand.”

He laughed. “She’d die before she’d wear any Empress Cosmetic product, even though all her friends think her foolish. I must hand it to you, Lydia—for a silly little girl of missionary parents you certainly made something of yourself.”

“Perhaps I’ve made too much of myself,” she answered wistfully. “The price was high.”

He leaned down and kissed her mouth as she pulled the sheet over her naked body. “Dinner tomorrow night?” Seeing her hesitation he added, “Lorna is going to visit friends in Sacramento for a few days. There’s no chance of her causing a scene.”

Lydia thought for a moment. “Very well,” she said.

“Good. I’ll call for you at seven-thirty.”

* * * * * * *

He was fifteen minutes early. “My place was like a morgue,” he explained. “I got restless. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.”

He looked around. “For some reason I thought I’d find you in the bosom of your family, as the expression goes. You know—little tots on your lap, your son sitting dutifully at your side.”

She chuckled. “Leon is off somewhere with friends from school and the little ones are already asleep upstairs with their amah.” She made a face and corrected herself. “Their nurse. After all these years it is one of the few Oriental expressions I can’t stop using.”

He winked suggestively. “Then we have the downstairs all to ourselves again tonight.”

She saw his eyes move toward the bedroom. “Behave yourself, Peter MacNair. You are taking me to dinner.” She moved toward the liquor cart. “Would you care for a cocktail?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Minutes later they settled themselves side by side on the Victorian settee, she with a cassis and he with a scotch over ice.

He said, “Did I tell you, you look ravishing as usual?”

She smiled demurely. “Thank you, kind sir.”

The doorbell rang.

Lydia looked annoyed. “Who could that be? I’m not expecting anyone. Excuse me, Peter. The servants are off. I’ll see who it is.”

When she opened the door Raymond removed his hat and smiled. “I was in the neighborhood and wondered if you were free for dinner.”

“As it so happens, I am not free,” Lydia said, frowning.

“Entertaining?” He nodded to Peter’s carriage tied to the hitching post.

“You always were inquisitive, Raymond. One day that nose of yours will get you into trouble.”

“MacNair’s carriage, isn’t it?”

Lydia gave him a defiant look. “Yes, it is.”

“Good,” he said forcing down his anger. He pushed past her. “I’ll join you for a drink.”

“Raymond, please,” she called after him as he went directly toward the drawing room.

Peter was refreshing his scotch when Raymond walked in. “Good evening, Raymond,” Peter said pleasantly.

Raymond glanced at the scotch decanter in Peter’s hand. “You certainly are making yourself free enough in this house.”

Peter merely widened his grin. “It’s Lydia’s liquor and I’m sure she doesn’t object to my helping myself to it.”

“But I do.”

“Raymond!” Lydia snapped, standing nervously in the doorway. “Peter is a guest of mine.”

He turned on her. “Well, I strongly object to your asking him here. If I recall, you’ve always expressed an intense dislike for the man.” He saw Lydia glance anxiously at Peter and saw Peter frown.

She said, “You are being purposefully rude, Raymond. I’d appreciate it if you would kindly leave.”

Raymond did not move. “Now don’t tell me this is a business meeting between two competitors?”

“Think what you like,” Peter said smugly as he sat down and put his feet out in front of him, crossing his ankles.

Raymond glowered. “I don’t want you seeing Lydia.”

“That again is for Lydia to say.” He looked around Raymond. “Lydia?”

She came forward and put her hand on Raymond’s arm. “Please, Raymond, don’t make a scene.”

He knocked her hand away. “You seem to forget how much you need me, Lydia. Now tell this gentleman....” He slurred the word. “...to get the devil out of this house.” He threw Peter a furious look. “I am surprised Lydia hasn’t told you that she and I are to be married.”

“Raymond!” She looked helplessly at Peter and saw his shock. “That isn’t true.” To Raymond she said, “You are being overly presumptuous, Raymond. I will remind you that you are still my daughter’s husband and I would never agree to marrying you even if you were free.”

“You sang a different tune just last evening at the party before this loser showed up.”

Peter jumped to his feet, clenching his hands into fists.

“Raymond!” Lydia cried. “I never accepted your proposal and you know it.”

He whirled on her, ignoring Peter’s outrage. “You’ll accept me. I said I’d get myself free of April and you will marry me.”

It was all so ridiculous, Lydia suddenly realized. Here stood two men who claimed they wanted to marry her and neither of them was in a position to do so. She suddenly began to wonder if they really meant what they said or if they were simply toying with her, knowing they need never live up to their proposals. She would be making a fool of herself by believing either one of them.

“Raymond, kindly leave.” To Peter she said, “Would you fetch my wrap and evening bag from the sitting room, please. They are on the divan.”

Peter hesitated, then did as she asked, leaving them alone for a moment.

When he was out of ear shot she glowered at Raymond. “How dare you come here and make a scene! I highly object to your proprietary manner. I am not planning on marrying you or anyone else. Peter MacNair asked me to dinner. I accepted purely because I am interested in finding out all I can about his new line.” The lie came easily.

She saw the doubt in his face. “Just keep in mind, Lydia, that you are nothing without me. If I act proprietarily toward you I heartily believe that I have that right. Empress Cosmetics would be bankrupt in six months if I decided to pull out. Just keep that in mind, Lydia, my dear.” He chucked her under the chin. She expected him to try and kiss her and drew back. “Have a pleasant evening,” he said with a vicious smile. “Say good night to our competition for me.” He turned and left, his angry footsteps echoing across the marble foyer. When the front door slammed shut she let out her breath. She sensed Peter behind her and turned to him.

“I’m afraid you will have serious trouble with that Frenchman,” he said. He laid her wrap and bag on a chair and freshened his drink.

“I’ve been handling Raymond for years. He’s just another spoiled little boy who must have everything his way.”

“And you give it to him.”

“Yes,” she said bluntly. “I have more than enough for myself and for my family. Raymond is welcome to the rest.”

“Men who are given a free hand get very greedy as time passes. Be careful, Lydia, and don’t give him too much or he will wind up wanting it all.”

She knew there was truth in what he said, but she saw no way out of her situation. Raymond wasn’t really a bad sort—wild and impetuous like so many men, but of all the men she’d known Raymond was the only one who’d made her forget Peter for a time. It was wrong for her to have gone to bed with Raymond; at the time, however, she’d had no other choice. He had demanded it and to her surprise she hadn’t found it unexciting. He was an expert at pleasing a woman; he was a Frenchman.

She chuckled softly. “He already wants it all, Peter. Marrying me gives him everything.”

He stared at her, his mouth slightly open. “You aren’t considering marrying him, are you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then you’d better do something about him before he takes you over completely. He’s already acting as if he were the boss and you the employee.”

Lydia toyed with a stray lock that had come unpinned. She went toward the mirror, keeping her eyes fixed on Peter in the glass. “I know only one way I can be rid of Raymond’s influence.”

“What’s that?”

She pinned the curl and turned around. “If you and I consolidated our companies.” She saw him frown. Quickly she said, “I’m convinced, Peter, that the two of us could make Empress Cosmetics a success without Raymond’s talented nose.”

“Empress Cosmetics?” Peter sneered. “Why not MacNair Cosmetics?”

“Because my company has the better reputation, if you want a perfectly blunt answer.”

“Me become secondary to you?”

“We’d be equal partners with neither of us holding more than a fifty-percent stock interest. I’ve been thinking of that new venture you are planning with the Lady Lorna....”

“Lady Lydia,” he was quick to correct.

“I think that is a big mistake. And another mistake you are making is that you’re insisting on having the product sold by men. Women would be far more successful.”

“Women?” He put back his head and laughed.

“Don’t scoff at the idea, Peter. I’ve thought it through and I believe between us we could really build our cosmetic companies into one of the largest empires in the country.” She touched his arm. “Come in with me, Peter. Let’s work together.”

He thought for a moment, then put down his glass. “No, I want to make a success of my venture by doing it my way.”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“I’m being sensible. Besides, my enterprise isn’t being financed with my money. I have a backer who must be taken into consideration.”

“Who?”

“I don’t want to say.”

“Who’s backing you, Peter?” she insisted, looking at him with suspicion.

“That is none of your business, if you’ll excuse my being rude.”

He was looking uncomfortable, which strengthened Lydia’s suspicions. “It’s Lorna’s money, isn’t it?”

Peter glared at her. “I said my money affairs are of no concern of yours.”

“It is Lorna’s money. I can read it in your face.”

“All right, so what if it is?”

Lydia felt herself beginning to crumble. None of his promises of love and marriage meant anything. He was all tied up snug and tight to his wife, and he’d taken the money Lorna had offered. “How could you, Peter? If you wanted to marry me and love me as you claim, why didn’t you come to me for the money?”

“Because Lorna is my wife. There’s a difference.”

“She’s still a woman.”

“She’s my wife, damn it.”

“A wife you told me just last evening that you are only too anxious to be rid of. What kind of a man are you, Peter? It’s all too obvious to me now that you prefer Lorna’s money to me. You will never leave her; I can see that now. You are nothing but a hypocrite,” she spat. “You’ve been leaning on that woman and her rich family too long to be able to do without the crutch.”

“You’re dead wrong,” he said angrily. “All right, I’m using Lorna’s money. So what?”

“She has a hold on you, Peter, one you will never be able to break. I see that now. I was a fool to think you might have changed. You’re still the same selfish, self-centered, male peacock I met twenty-four years ago. You used Lorna then. You used me. You’ll use anyone if it benefits you. You’re a monster.” She felt the tears threatening and hurriedly averted her face.

He came to her and tried to take her in his arms.

“Don’t touch me. Please leave. I think I’ve made a big enough fool of myself for one night.”

Peter grabbed her and shook her until the stray curl slipped from the pin again, taking several others with it. “You listen to me, Lydia.”

She wrenched herself free, knowing she was helpless when he physically overpowered her. “Get out of my house.”

“No. I am not leaving here until we have had this settled.” He pulled her forcefully into his arms and kissed her hard on the mouth.

Lydia fought against him and when he released her she slapped his face. “Get out! Go back to Lorna where you obviously belong. I never want to see you again.”