Page 18 of Two Secrets to Surrender (Blackwood Legacy #2)

Chapter Seventeen

“ W here have you brought me? May I look now?”

“Not yet, duchess. Keep your hands over your eyes. I want this to be a surprise.”

As he led her to his lodgings, Conrad hid a smile at Gigi’s sigh of impatience. He’d picked her up again, and this time he’d parked himself beneath the tree outside her bedchamber in case she required assistance. She didn’t. She’d descended the tree as gracefully as if it were a grand staircase. In the process, she’d treated him to a view that would provide fodder for his fantasies in the years to come.

On the ride over, she’d asked about the cut on his cheek, and he’d had to tell her about being run off the road. Her concern had warmed him, but he didn’t want to spend the precious hours they had together talking about the darker side of life. He’d been weaned on pain, violence, and retribution. Tonight, with her, he had an appetite for finer things. Thus, he’d chalked the incident up to a mere accident.

“What have you planned for us this evening?” Gigi asked.

Only with her did he find wheedling endearing. Then again, he was finding he liked most everything about her. He liked their banter, especially now that it was playful rather than antagonistic. While she could be as sweet as honey, her personality had spice, too. He was never bored in her company and liked the games they played. It was a novel experience to desire a woman and have fun with her.

“We’re here,” he said. “See for yourself.”

She dropped her hands, her eyes widening as she took in his temporary abode. Honeystone Hall was a handsome property located not far from the spa. In the moonlight, the limestone walls had a pristine, almost ethereal glow. The slate roof and decorative gables glimmered with a hint of frost. Woodsmoke wisped from the chimneys before melting into the black velvet sky. The mullioned windows beckoned with a cozy glow.

“You brought me to Honeystone Hall?” Gigi’s eyes were more brilliant than the stars. “I have passed this place many times but never been inside. I understand it is quite grand but has been vacant since the squire passed.”

“Come have a look.” He offered his arm.

She bit her lip. “I would like to. But the servants?—”

“I brought my staff from London. They are all longtime retainers, and you may rest assured when it comes to their discretion. I would never let harm come to you or your reputation, Gigi. Trust me?”

Nodding, she allowed him to lead her into the house. Since he’d only moved in a week ago, the décor remained that of the prior occupant. Luckily, he approved of the squire’s taste. The oak furnishings, brass fixtures, and forest-green upholstery created an ambiance of rustic luxury. There were well-appointed public rooms on the first floor and a dozen bedchambers on the second, as well as a separate servants’ wing.

Gigi looked around with open admiration. “What an agreeable home.”

Conrad found himself absurdly pleased that she liked it. Then and there, he decided to acquire the property. It would make a splendid wedding present for his new bride. He didn’t know when he’d started thinking of Gigi as his future wife. Once the idea had taken root, however, there was no resisting it. Their last steamy carriage ride had cemented it for him: he’d never felt that close to a woman, that crazed with desire for her. The notion of waking up next to Gigi every morning didn’t fill him with dread but anticipation.

At the same time, he sensed that Gigi wasn’t as certain about him. That was the way of nymphs: they tended to be elusive and mischievous, a bit flighty. If you didn’t secure their loyalty, they would run roughshod over you and flee with your heart. Thus, his strategy was to use everything in his power—passion, intimacy, gifts, whatever it took—to bind Gigi to him.

“Allow me to give you a tour,” he said.

He took her through the main rooms, enjoying her appreciation. Her delightful artlessness and buoyant spirit spoke of a nurturing upbringing, which fit what he’d learned about the Harrington clan. Her parents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Blackwood, were famous for their enduring love match, and her father was a war hero from his days of fighting Boney.

There was some gossip about her brothers: the middle one, a musician, had been injured in some accident which had ended his career as a maestro, and the youngest brother had gone missing for years after the disastrous military defeat in Kabul. However, the entire family seemed to have converged in Chuddums, and the locals credited their presence with the village’s reversal of fortune.

“The billiards room is marvelous,” Gigi exclaimed.

This room was his favorite of the manor, and he’d been so sure that she would share his opinion that he’d had the refreshments laid out here. She gazed rapturously at the coffered ceiling and dark paneled walls, trailing her fingers over the cognac leather seating before approaching the majestic billiards table that occupied center stage. Cushioned by an Aubusson, the mahogany table had carved acanthus leaves and other detailed foliage adorning the apron and legs, and the green baize surface was as smooth as glass.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she inhaled, taking in the scents of wood, leather, and cigar smoke. Watching her, Conrad felt heat rush into his groin. She was a sensual, unaffected creature, and there was a world of carnal delights he wanted to show her.

Down, boy. Play the proper host first. There is plenty of time for lovemaking.

That last thought was novel. With his other lovers, swiving had been at the forefront of his agenda. God knew he couldn’t keep his hands off Gigi, but with her, he wanted more. Her conversation and laughter, the way she’d made him feel when she said he was more than what others believed him to be.

“Would you care for refreshment?” he asked.

He gestured to the table set up by the hearth. Crystal, fine china, and silverware gleamed in the firelight. A tiered cart offered a savory collation and assorted desserts, and a bucket of iced champagne stood at the ready. When she went over to inspect the offerings, he saw her gaze linger on the squares of rose-flavored Turkish delights. Her blush was everything he’d hoped for and more.

“You think of everything, don’t you?” she mused.

“I do not believe in leaving things up to chance.”

“Some might say you have controlling tendencies.”

He thought she might be teasing him, but he’d never been one to shy away from the truth.

“Some would be right.” He lifted the bubbly from the bucket. “Champagne?”

“Yes, please.”

After filling a flute for her, then himself, he raised his glass. “To getting better acquainted.”

Smiling, she pinged her glass against his, and they sipped in companionable silence, broken now and again by a snap and crackle from the hearth.

“This is nice,” she said.

“What is?”

“Being in a normal situation, chatting over champagne.” Her voice was playful. “Not being trapped in a sweltering caldarium.”

He smiled. “Have you played billiards?”

She canted her head, her thick braid flopping over one shoulder. “Once or twice.”

Recalling she’d said the same thing about tree climbing, he knew better than to trust her modesty. Moreover, the impish curve of her lips gave her away…thank God. While courting Vicky, Conrad had played with her a few times. Vicky had been a mediocre player at best, and the experiences had been deadly dull. His juices rose at the prospect of competitive play. Setting down his glass, he strolled over to the cue rack, and Gigi followed suit.

“First to fifty points?” he asked.

“Splendid.”

She was examining the cues with an expert eye. She tested a few before selecting a shorter, lighter stick made of polished ash. It was the cue he would have chosen for her based on her height and build. The way she handled the shaft, running her fist along the length, made him stifle a groan. He snatched a longer, heavier cue with an ebony inlay on the handle.

As she set up the three balls, he said, “Why don’t we make this more interesting?”

She paused, her fingertips resting on the red object ball. “In what way?”

“A wager.” He smirked. “Don’t worry, I shan’t take all your pin money.”

She studied him. “All right, I’ll wager with you…but not for money.”

Depraved visions danced through his head.

He cleared his throat. “What, ahem, are you proposing?”

“Whenever one makes a shot, which must be called in advance, one may ask a personal question of the other.”

Intrigued, he asked, “I may ask anything of you?”

“We may ask anything of each other,” she said with beguiling confidence. “This way, we will be growing two plants with one seed: enjoying the game and getting better acquainted.”

He turned the proposition over in his head. There were plenty of things he wanted to know about the little minx. And he didn’t mind trading confidences with her…to a degree. Intimacy was necessary to strengthen their bond; look at how she’d accepted his courtship after he’d disclosed a few facts about his prior lovers. If he didn’t want to provide an answer, he would omit or gloss over certain details. In the boxing ring and in life, he’d mastered the art of evasion.

“Why not?” He waved at the table. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you, sir. I shall pot the red.”

Bending over, she positioned her cue and took her shot. Her cue ball hit the side of the object ball, sending the latter neatly into a pocket. He felt his brows rise.

She straightened, her eyes bright and smile enchanting.

“Tell me more about your childhood,” she said. “I know your parents passed when you were young, but do you have any siblings? You mentioned a guardian. What was he like?”

“I had half-siblings whom I was not close to,” Conrad said. “They’re no longer living. As for my guardian, he didn’t want anything to do with me. He sent me to boarding school, where I spent my childhood and adolescent years.”

At the succinct summary, Gigi felt a shock of surprise, which turned into a throbbing ache. While her family had their share of travails and conflicts, they’d always had each other. She couldn’t imagine having no one…being so alone.

“You have no family at all?” she asked softly.

“None I consider my kin.”

“Conrad…I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart.” He circled the table, his eyes on the surface. “I got used to being alone. Truth be told, sometimes I prefer it.”

No, you don’t.

His casual manner didn’t fool her. Shadows wisped through his gaze, and the tautness of his jaw gave him away. As she thought of his earlier admission—that he expected to be left to his own devices—her heart cracked a little more. Fierce desire welled in her to show him that he didn’t have to face this world alone because now he had her .

The realization flowed through her with a breath-stealing rush.

I’m falling in love with Conrad Godwin.

With love as a Harrington tradition, she’d never doubted that she would one day find her soulmate. Yet none of her suitors had stirred that depth of feeling in her. No fellow had…until Conrad. The discovery didn’t scare her. On the contrary, it felt like she was finally fulfilling her destiny.

“ Four couples need to fall in love to lift the curse. ” Xenia’s words drifted into her head. Could Gigi and Conrad be one of the couples? Were they fated to meet—to restore Chuddums’s fortunes?

“Cannon, left corner,” Conrad said.

She focused on the game as he executed the shot the way he did everything else—with unflinching expertise. She found his confidence ever so attractive. When she played billiards in genteel social settings, she had to keep herself in check. Trouncing gentlemen was generally not conducive to holding their admiration, and as her mama oft reminded her, showing off wasn’t seemly for a young lady. With Conrad, however, she didn’t have to hold back. He seemed to admire her competitive spirit and enjoy challenging her.

“Well done,” she said. “What do you wish to know?”

She expected him to ask about her family.

“You’re such a good girl, Gigi. I want to know something naughty that you’ve done.”

At his husky request, butterflies swarmed her chest.

“You already know the naughty things I’ve done. Since you were a part of them.”

“A deed that doesn’t involve me, then,” he amended with a grin. “Something recent. I don’t want to hear about how you filched a biscuit when you were a tot.”

“Well, there is something.” She drew a breath, wondering if she could confide. “Something I haven’t told anyone.”

His Viking’s eyes glittered. “Go on.”

“I lied to my family,” she blurted. “Not a lie of omission—like being here tonight—but an actual lie.”

“Tell me more.”

“It’s a long story,” she warned.

“We have time.”

“You know that I have three older brothers?” At his nod, she said, “The youngest of them, Owen, fought in Afghanistan. He was there when the army was decimated at the Khyber Pass.”

“It’s a miracle he survived it,” Conrad murmured.

“Yes. He went missing for three years, but my family never gave up hope, never stopped searching for him. Although they wouldn’t let me help, I prayed every night for his return.” Even now, thinking of those years clogged her throat. “Eventually, they found him and brought him back. But he wasn’t the same. After the ordeals he suffered, he had…he has demons. They haunt him, even in his sleep.”

Recalling Conrad’s unrestful dreams, she paused, wondering if he would say something about his own experiences. When he didn’t, she decided not to press and continued.

“In the past, Owen has imbibed too much, indulged in a variety of vices, and at times, been aggressive. One such incident led to him wounding my middle brother, Ethan. As Ethan was a piano maestro, the injury to his hand was the worst thing that could have happened, even if Owen didn’t mean to cause it.

“Ethan’s spirits darkened, and there was nothing any of us could do to reach him. Owen was beside himself with guilt, but any time he and Ethan were in a room together, conflict would escalate. Ethan retreated to Bottoms House and pushed everyone away. Owen got worse, and my parents had to take him to recover at the country estate.” Her voice hitched. “My family is close. The Harrington motto is Ad Finem Fidelis , which means ‘faithful to the end.’ But we were fracturing and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.”

Conrad came over and put an arm around her shoulders.

“Until you came up with a solution?” he asked. “Something that involved an untruth?”

She peered up at him. “How did you know?”

“Because I know you, duchess.” His gaze was tender. “You cannot stand to let the people you love suffer. And you’re a schemer.”

“I am not a schemer,” she protested.

“The Chuddums love potion? The escape from the caldarium?” He raised his brows. “Our midnight rendezvous?”

“While I may possess a certain ability to make things happen?—”

“Aye, and you’re a masterful schemer at that.” He chucked her under the chin. “I should know, since like recognizes like.”

She cast her gaze heavenward. “There’s no point in arguing with you.”

“Because I’m right.”

“Do you want to hear what I did or not?”

“I’m listening.”

“Since no one could get through to Ethan, I decided to take matters into my own hands.” Seeing Conrad’s smug look, she sighed. “Fine, I came up with a plan to get the family together again. I staged a situation at a ball. Nothing too scandalous, but enough so that I had an excuse to leave London and seek out Ethan.”

Conrad angled his head. “What was this situation ?”

“I told Ethan I was accidentally cornered by a fortune hunter in the garden without my chaperone. But the truth is I went out there on purpose. I knew the fortune hunter was lying in wait, but I didn’t plan to stay long enough to get compromised; I just needed a whisper of gossip to justify seeking out my brother.”

“Hold up.” He drew his brows together. “You deliberately risked your reputation?”

“It was a calculated risk. The fortune hunter was in his fifties and rather podgy. I didn’t expect him to give chase?—”

“The bastard chased you?” Fury flashed in Conrad’s gaze. “Give me his name.”

“It’s irrelevant. I engineered the situation. Moreover, nothing happened because I was faster than him, even if I did trip and tear my dress in the process.” Seeing the gathering storm in Conrad’s expression, she said hastily, “Do not make me regret sharing this with you. The point is that you said I’m a good girl, and I’m not. At least, not always. I misled Ethan so that he would let me stay.”

“Did your ploy work?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “Ethan took me in. James, my eldest brother, came to visit too. I wrote my parents, who brought Owen. Soon we were together again and more like we used to be. The moment I came to Chuddums, I knew there was something healing about the place.”

“There is something healing about you .”

“I wish that were true,” she said wistfully. “My family still has conflicts. But at least we are together and not facing troubles on our own.”

“No one could feel alone with you in their corner.”

The longing in his voice stirred her own.

“And yet my family doesn’t always accept my help. Even when I offer it.” She studied the baize. “They love me, but to them I’ll always be the baby girl who must be sheltered and protected. They do not seem to realize that I am an adult.”

“You should be protected.” Conrad tipped her chin up. “But you should also be respected for who you are and all you have to offer. I meant what I said before, Gigi. You have courage in spades and the spirit and competence to take on anything.”

“Thank you for listening. For…for seeing me,” she said tremulously. “You’re the only one I’ve shared this with.”

“I am honored.”

Her eyes heated, and he gave her a handkerchief and a moment to recover herself.

“Do you wish to continue the game?” he asked.

Their intimacy was so enchanting that she’d forgotten they were playing. Never one to quit before a winner was declared, she nodded. Drawing a breath, she surveyed the table, calling and scoring another cannon.

“Tit for tat.” Wanting to lighten the mood, she said, “Tell me something wicked you’ve done. Something you’ve never shared with anyone.”

He canted his head, and his slow, sensual smile made the tips of her breasts tingle.

“I’ll do better than that, sweetheart,” he said. “I’ll show you.”