Page 12 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Ten

Blythe couldn’t bring herself to leave the bed.

Orlando had suffered a nightmare and she had comforted him.

Then he fell asleep on her breasts as she feathered his hair through her fingers.

She had remained awake because she wanted to keep holding him, offering comfort, and taking the same for herself.

Oh, she had ached for more and wished that they could be more. If they had been, she would have kissed his worries away and allowed intimacy to take his mind off his troubles.

Oh, it was so very wrong of her to want to share more with Orlando, but she could no longer ignore the longing in her heart.

She and Orlando shared a closeness that she had never shared with John. In fact, she and Orlando had talked and shared more these past weeks than she and John had in the two months of courtship and nearly four years of marriage.

Still, that changed nothing.

They were a forbidden romance, if that was what they were.

He was not fine when she was not with him and neither was she. Yet there was little they could do other than cherish what they shared.

Blythe rolled over and bunched the pillow beneath her head.

How had her life come to this?

She had always been the obedient daughter and did her duty and never stepped out of line until she met a handsome, charming man in the cavalry dressed in his fine uniform.

Oh, John had been so handsome and had known exactly what to say and she had foolishly believed him.

Those emotions, while powerful, were nothing compared to the way her heart warmed the moment Orlando stepped into the room, or the contentment she felt just being in his presence. He made her feel valued, needed, loved and cherished even though those words had never passed his lips.

A tear leaked out of the corner of her eye.

She loved Dr. Orlando Valentine which was the biggest mistake she could ever make. More so than when she’d allowed John to nearly seduce her. She’d been a fool then, but what she was doing now courted an entirely different type of ruination if anyone learned.

Maybe she should return to England before she succumbed to her physical desires and seduced Orlando, if he would have her. Though, loving Orlando in her heart, without physical intimacy was just as bad as loving him with her body while she still had a husband.

Oh, if only John selling her could have truly broken the bonds of marriage, then she would be free, but it hadn’t and she was stuck.

* * *

Orlando had nearly confessed his love to Blythe before he left this morning and he could not make that mistake again.

But he needed and wanted her.

If only…

Wishes did not make her husband go away. However, Blythe’s father was a duke. If anyone could achieve the impossible, and secure a dissolution of marriage, it would be him, but he didn’t even know that Orlando existed or that John had sold his wife.

“A word, Dr. Valentine.”

Orlando turned to find Captain Nathanial Storm addressing him. Storm had been spending a lot of time with Isabella but had not approached him about a courtship. Was he going to now?

“I have an invitation for you to attend the ball being held by the Duchess of Richmond.”

Orlando frowned. “I do not plan on accepting nor any of the others I have received.” He would have had a change of heart had Blythe decided she wanted to attend, but since she did not, he would be spending that evening with her.

“What of Miss Valentine?” Storm demanded.

Orlando’s jaw tightened at what sounded like an accusation but he had done nothing wrong. “I understand you and Isabella have been spending some time together.”

“We have talked often,” Storm answered.

“Did you ask her to accompany you to the ball?”

“I suggested attending functions, but she refused me.”

Orlando nodded, not the least surprised. “Neither Isabella nor I belong at a ball, or any other entertainment, Captain.”

“She said as much,” Storm admitted.

“So why procure an invitation and then come to me?” Orlando nearly dismissed him and started for the medical tent.

“Because, more than anyone, Miss Valentine deserves to be at a ball.”

Orlando stopped and turned to Storm.

“She has spent the past two years caring for soldiers. Holding their hands as they took their last breaths. Dressing wounds and reading from books. Doesn’t she deserve to have an evening of enjoyment?”

“You care about my sister?”

“Yes. I do.”

“What are your intentions?” Not that he would grant permission for anything until he spoke with Isabella, Orlando still wanted to know.

“She is a friend. I hope that one day we could be more.”

It was not quite a confession of love and Orlando appreciated Storm’s honesty. “You two are from different worlds.”

“As she has mentioned to me.”

It was likely she didn’t explain just how different.

“She will not attend with me, but you could make her go with you.”

Orlando rubbed his temples. He was too tired to play matchmaker for his sister.

“Dr. Valentine, your sister deserves a night at a ball. Heaven knows when she will get another opportunity once the fighting begins again.”

“That is just it, Captain Storm, my sister and I are from humble backgrounds. Even after we return home, you will never find either of us at a ball. A country assembly, perhaps, but nothing beyond.”

“All the more reason for her to attend this one.”

Maybe his sister should enjoy a ball for a change. Heaven knew that the last few years had been difficult enough, even though she could leave at any time. And he really had not spent much time with Isabella and maybe it was time they discussed her future, and his, and attend a ball.

And, if he could convince Blythe to risk an appearance, he might just be lucky enough to escort two women. “Very well. I will ask her to attend with me.”

Storm blew out a breath and smiled. “Thank you.”

Orlando turned so that he could return to his duties.

“But I do have one other request.”

With a sigh he turned back to Storm. He had already asked quite a bit. “That would be?”

“Do not tell her the invitation was through me. She might not go, which would ruin the whole purpose of obtaining it in the first place.”

Orlando stiffened. Perhaps it wasn’t the ball his sister objected to, but more the company. “Is it because of you she does not wish to attend?”

“No,” he answered quickly. “It is because she does not think she belongs and will refuse if she knows I am the one who arranged for her to be there.”

In that, Storm was correct. Orlando reached forward and took the invitation that Storm was still holding. “I will not say a word to my sister.”

And even though Orlando knew that Storm was likely waiting to find out if Isabella would go to the ball, he continued his duties and saw to the ill and injured men before he returned to his tent where he found his sister.

“We will be attending the Duchess of Richmond’s ball in two days.”

“We are attending what?” Isabella looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

He picked up a handful of invitations that had not yet been discarded. “As a doctor of rank, I have been invited to several functions and have ignored them.”

“Why is this different?”

“The officers expect to encounter Napoleon by the end of June, beginning of July at the latest, and this peace we have enjoyed will come to an end.”

“And this prompted you to decide to attend a ball?” she asked slowly. He understood her suspicion because this was completely out of character. But Storm was right that Isabella should enjoy some entertainment. He also knew that if he stated that as the reason that she would refuse.

“I should mingle with superior officers, if you must know.” He tossed the invitations back on a small table. “It is better for my career if I do not ignore their invitations.”

“Then go!” Isabella insisted. “You do not need me.”

“How could I go to a ball and leave you back here?” Orlando took her hands. “You need to get away from here too. Enjoy a night of dancing and champagne. We both deserve a night of pleasure.”

“What am I to wear?” she countered.

Bloody hell! He had no idea. Her dresses were serviceable and some were blood stained and certainly could not be worn to a ball given by a duchess.

“You had not thought about that now, had you?”

“I have funds,” he said. “Go into Brussels and buy a dress.”

Isabella laughed and started for the entry of their tent. “That shows how little you know, dear brother. A modiste cannot simply make a ball gown in two days’ time.”

Blast! The plan was over before it could begin.

“I will see what I can find,” she finally said, then left the tent.

He hoped that she was successful because he wanted her to attend that ball and he wanted to take Blythe with them.