Rafael waited until nearly three o’clock in the morning before smoothly easing Johnny Tregonnet into a corner. “What is this?” Johnny inquired, looking with an owlish expression at Rafael. “You’re Rafael, ain’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Didn’t think you was Damien, he ain’t all that friendly most of the time. There’d be no reason for him to want to talk to me here anyway.”
“I want you to tell me about the Hellfire Club, Johnny. I think I just might like to become one of you.”
Johnny stared at him, his wits gone begging after seven brandies. He looked wildly about for help, but saw none. “How d’you know about that?”
“I know you’re a member, and Vincent Landower, and Lincoln Penhallow, to name a few. Tell me how I can get in touch with the Ram. I would join you, Johnny.”
“I, ah . . . “He stopped, looked agonized, then said, “I’ll tell the Ram. He’ll have to decide. All right?”
“Do tell the Ram that he’ll be able to count on me, as a member, to ravish all the young virgins in the county, but if I’m turned down, I’ll turn quickly nasty. You understand that, Johnny?”
“I don’t know,” said Johnny.
“I’ll take you down, Johnny . . . oh, yes, I’ll take you down so fast you won’t know how it happened. Talk to the Ram for me. Make him see things correctly. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Rafael nodded and watched him weave away.
Three couples stayed at Drago Hall, for their homes were too far distant to make the journey in one day. The ball itself didn’t end until just before dawn. Elaine, pleased and so weary she could scarcely climb the stairs, was even nodding and smiling to Victoria.
Ligger, bless his efficient calm soul, saw to the
guests, smoothing everyone’s way.
Rafael and Victoria collapsed fully dressed upon their canopied bed. “Ah, what an evening.”
“You drank too much champagne punch,” Rafael said, and leaning up on his elbow beside her, kissed her soundly.
“It will be dawn soon.”
His gray eyes shone silver. “Yes,” he said, and gently cupped his hand over her breast. “Yes,” he said again, and began kissing her even as his fingers kneaded her soft flesh. He gauged her response and felt like the greatest male alive. He raised his head, and without a word flipped her over onto her stomach. Victoria turned to look at him, but he simply shook his head. She felt his fingers on the fastenings of her gown.
When he turned her over again onto her back, he very slowly pulled her gown down, baring her breasts. “Ah, how very nice,” he said with great inadequate sincerity. He leaned down and began kissing her, his tongue soft and hot on her flesh.
“I’ve thought about doing this all evening,” he said, his fingers replacing his mouth. “And I’ve thought a great deal about this ugliness you’re hiding from me. Do you know that I have yet to see you naked, Victoria? Completely naked just for me?”
He saw the flash of fear in her eyes, felt her stiffen, withdraw from him. “There is something you’re ashamed of, isn’t there?” There was surprise in his voice. “Is there truly, Victoria?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
She shook her head, not looking at him.
“Then I shall simply have to discover this so-called ugliness for myself.” He began to pull down her gown. Victoria took him off guard, twisting suddenly upward and rolling away from him as she sat up.
“No.” She eased off the end of the bed and stood staring at him, holding her gown up over her breasts. “Please, Rafael, no, no.”
He didn’t move. “This is crazy, Victoria. You are my wife. Do you intend to hide from me for the next fifty years?”
She looked at him helplessly.
“I’m not a particularly cruel man, nor am I a wife-beater,” he said, his voice cold now. He got up from the bed and began pulling off his evening garb, ignoring her completely.