by Joanna Shupe
“I see.” He brought the glass to his mouth for another sip. “And what will you do if I decline to share my wealth of knowledge?”
She frowned, not caring for the direction of the conversation. If he planned to refuse, she wished he’d spit it out and save her the humiliation. “Find someone else, I suppose. Mr. Archer, maybe?”
Kit made a scoffing sound. “A true waste of your time. Harrison was a bit of a late bloomer and not exactly a pillar of success in the romance department.”
“Well, there must be another man willing to help me, if you won’t. A footman or groom, perhaps. They are generally young and energetic.”
“The prospect of you asking another man fills me with an overwhelming sense of dread. Why not ask one of the ladies? Maddie or that redhead, Miss Young? They both seem to attract male attention.”
Would she actually learn the ins and outs of the male mind by discussing this with a woman? Alice doubted it. Because, really, who knew how men thought better than another man? “No, I need more than a few tips. I need a degree in seduction. From a man.”
He drained his glass and set it down with a heavy sigh. “Sadly, that man cannot be me.”
Alice’s stomach sank, disappointment sweeping through her. I failed and now he’ll tell the entire house party of my request. Everyone will laugh at me.
Idiot.
How could she have been so stupid? Why had she considered for a single moment that this gorgeous, charming man would waste any time on her? A momentary lapse of sanity, obviously.
She pushed to her feet, her only thought of escape. “Of course. Forget I asked. I’ll leave you to your night.”
“Wait.” He blocked her path and put up his hands. “Let me explain.”
Run. Get away. Go hide.
“Not necessary.” She dodged around him and lunged for the doorknob. “I understand perfectly.” She tried to pull the door open but it wouldn’t budge.
Kit was leaning on the door to prevent it from opening. “Dash it, Alice. Let me at least explain why.”
She slumped and nodded. The quicker she listened, the quicker she could return to her room and cry.
A light touch on her elbow guided her around to face him. They were close enough that she could see the light flecks in his dark irises and the evening whiskers dotting his jaw. And it was worth noting he smelled fantastic, hints of warm caramel and honey, exactly like the spirits he’d poured her earlier.
He was frowning, his gaze concerned. “I don’t want you to leave here thinking this is because of you. It’s not. I must refuse because of Maddie.”
“I . . . I don’t understand.”
“She ordered me to stay away from the heiresses. I believe off-limits was the term she used. So, I must respect her wishes and not interfere with the purpose of the house party.”
“Oh.”
Well, that wasn’t a terrible reason. And Maddie had warned Alice away from Kit at dinner, as well. Ordering him to keep his distance from the guests made sense. Except . . . “But you thought I was one of the guests at the door when I knocked.”
His lips twisted into a wicked smile that she felt all the way down to her toes. “She’s a guest but not one of the innocent young women, believe me.”
A chaperone, then. “So you’ll help me after the house party, once we’re back in New York?”
Chuckling, he wagged a finger at her. “Clever, Alice. Very clever. Will you be able to slip away as easily in the city?”
“No.” Her mother paid the hotel staff handsomely and they did whatever she wished, including keep an eye on Alice. “It would be extremely difficult.”
“I assumed as much.”
“You . . .” Alice cleared her throat. “You won’t tell anyone I was here, will you?”
“Of course not.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, his eyes boring deep into hers, mesmerizing her. “I wish you luck, sweet girl. You will find the right man, I promise. You’re too intelligent not to get what you want.”
The press of his lips on her skin along with his intense scrutiny caused a riot in her bloodstream, a rush of tingles and warmth that traveled to every part of her. Her knees actually buckled and she sent up a prayer of gratitude for the door at her back. Otherwise, she would have collapsed into a puddle on the carpets.
It was all too much. He was overwhelming, with his delicious smell and soft mouth, and she didn’t know what to do. No man had ever spoken to her so nicely or touched her in such an intimate manner. She needed time to think, to process the emotions battling inside her.
No wonder why Maddie had warned Alice away from Kit. Perhaps he was the very Devil.
Speech failing her, she nodded once, pulled out of his grip and hurried out into the corridor.
Chapter Two
The next afternoon the guests gathered under a tent outside, and Kit wondered if he’d made a huge mistake.
First, Maddie’s suitor, the Duke of Lockwood, had arrived unexpectedly and Harrison appeared a knife’s edge away from punching the aristocrat in the face. Secondly, today’s outing was an egg hunt, a childish game that would require Kit to engage in small talk with one of the young ladies for the better part of the afternoon.
Third—and worst of all—Alice Lusk hadn’t looked at him once today.
Currently, Alice was staring at her hands, which were placed in her lap, and ignoring the conversation swirling around her. Tiny lines bracketed eyes lined with dark circles and guilt pricked at his chest. He didn’t like seeing her tired and . . . withdrawn.
I am ridiculously shy.
Said the woman who’d paid him a midnight visit and asked for lessons on men. He nearly snorted. Perhaps shy around others, but she hadn’t been shy with him.
Even despite Maddie’s warning to stay away from the young ladies, he’d considered helping Alice. No woman should be forced to endure an unhappy marriage. Wasn’t Kit aware of the potential results of such a circumstance better than most? His father had used his mother’s inheritance for mistresses and gambling, while treating Mama abominably. He’d even committed her to an asylum for a month when she wouldn’t move to Staten Island, as he’d wanted. Mama had led a powerless, unhappy existence until her dying day, eight years ago. Witnessing her sadness had broken Kit’s heart.
Yet, Kit had agreed to keep his distance from the unmarried girls here. Maddie was a good friend and he wouldn’t break his promise to her, even if the shadows in Alice’s eyes twisted something up inside him. He had the urge to go over and make Alice laugh, just so that haunted look would disappear.
They are off-limits, Christopher.
Maddie’s words, uttered just before the guests arrived, echoed through his head. Perhaps he could find a way to offer Alice advice without—
Oh, for God’s sake. Who was he trying to fool? Thick desire had rolled through him last night when Alice had asked so sweetly for instruction. He knew himself. That desire, combined with the nature of her request, would have him flirting, making inappropriate suggestions . . . doing anything he could to tempt adorable Alice into bed.
He really was a scoundrel.
Maddie brought out the egg hunt supplies and Kit smothered a groan. “You owe me,” he muttered to Harrison, who was seated at his side. “I cannot believe I am about to go on a damn egg hunt.”
“Don’t let her hear you complain.” Harrison tipped his head toward Maddie. “Furthermore, it’s not like I forced you to come.”
“You’re one of my closest friends. You think I’d let you embark on wooing your lady love alone? You need all the help you can get.”
“Sure, right. Just admit you like parties, Kit.”
Kit frowned, annoyed at his friend’s remark. Yes, he liked parties—but that wasn’t why he’d come to Newport. “I’m here for you, in case I didn’t make that clear. But if you don’t need me, I’ll return to the city. I have a thousand things to do at the moment.”
Recently, Kit had realized there were careers for men like
him—and not a gambler or confidence man like his waste of a father. No, this was a business well suited to a risk-taking smooth-talker who wished to keep on the right side of the law. Something different, an entertainment venue the city needed—a supper club. A classy establishment, the supper club would be part Delmonico’s, part Metropolitan Opera House and a sprinkle of Tenderloin dance hall.
The endeavor excited Kit like nothing else ever had. He’d even brought work—work!—with him to this Newport house party, some preliminary estimates of up-front costs that he needed to double-check. If all went to plan, the supper club would open this autumn, and he would finally prove to everyone that he was good for more than a laugh.
So yes, he had better things to do than spend a long weekend at the ocean.
Harrison grimaced. “The supper club. How could I forget? I’m being an ass, so forgive me. Don’t leave. I really do need your help.”
“Of course you do. So be nice to me.”
“Do you really think you can get this supper club off the ground?”
Kit shifted and tried not to react, though his ears grew hot. “You don’t think I’m capable of it?”
Harrison shrugged, his eyes darting to Maddie as she walked around the tent. “Feels like a lot to take on, a lot of responsibility. Why would you bother? It can’t be for the money.”
No, it wasn’t for the money. It was for things money couldn’t buy, like self-worth and respect. Excitement. Proving to himself and everyone else that his mind wasn’t as empty as they believed. A legacy that might redeem his awful branch of the Ward family tree.
You’re just like your old man, his father had said to Kit on any number of occasions. Smile to get what we want instead of thinking so hard.
Fucking bastard. Kit hoped his father was broke and miserable.
Maddie arrived holding a hat with slips of paper inside, and Harrison and Kit each selected one. Whichever guests had the corresponding number would partner up together. “Which lucky lady has selected number four?” Kit shouted over the din of conversation and ocean breeze.
No one answered and the others began pairing up. Harrison matched with Katherine Delafield, a likable girl whose father was a real estate tycoon and unmitigated bastard. The Duke of Lockwood held up the same number as the bold Miss Young, a fellow troublemaker if Kit ever saw one. In fact, he’d purposely avoided that particular temptation in the hopes of not breaking his promise to Maddie.
As the teams moved off to the side, one young lady didn’t budge from her seat. Alice. Ah, he understood. His would-be pupil must also have number four. If so, why hadn’t she claimed him?
Standing, he adjusted his cuffs and smoothed his hair, practically preening to make himself presentable. He didn’t know why it mattered, but he wanted to look his best. Or perhaps he was merely stalling. He hadn’t liked disappointing her, causing her to lose the sparkle in her eye last night.
There must be another man who would be willing to help me.
Was she considering someone else? If so, Kit would need to promptly set her straight. A suggestion like hers in the wrong ear could lead to trouble.
Going over, he held up his slip of paper. “Are you my partner for the egg hunt, Miss Lusk?”
Her shoulders rose and fell on a long breath. “It appears so, Mr. Ward.”
“Well, no need to look so glum. The good news is that I know the chateau grounds forward and backward, so we stand to make off like bandits. Are you ready?”
“Have I a choice?”
There was no chance to respond because Maddie began to explain the rules and prizes. Alice didn’t seem interested in the jewelry offered up to the winning teams. Instead, she stared at the water, her mouth pulled into a frown. Was she so unhappy about partnering with him?
His cheeks grew hot as he stood there, being ignored as the teams departed. “Would you rather switch? I’m certain I can convince someone into giving me their number.”
“No, that would be even more humiliating.” She pushed away from the table and stood. “Let’s get this over with.”
Confused, he held out his arm and led her out of the tent. Though the sun was strong, the breeze coming off the water felt cool on his overheated skin. While everyone headed toward the gardens, Kit started for the beach.
“Wait, why are we going this way? Most everyone else is starting in the gardens.”
“Exactly. Maddie likes a challenge. She won’t make this easy, and hiding eggs in the gardens is too easy.” Besides, they could have a private conversation down near the waves and not risk being overheard.
Kit planned to get to the bottom of why she was ignoring him.
They descended the steps leading to the Cliff Walk. “There.” He pointed to an egg on the stone. “I told you.”
She bent to collect it. “You care about her, don’t you?”
“Maddie? Yes, she’s a close friend. We spent a lot of time together after Harrison left for Paris.” He took the egg and placed it in his hat. “Which is why I must uphold my promise to her.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?” He shielded his eyes from the sun and stared down at her. “Because my refusal to help you has nothing to do with you.”
“Yes, you already said.”
“Yet I sense you don’t believe me.” Otherwise, why ignore him? Why the disappointment when they were partnered?
“I do.”
“Really?”
“Really. Now, may we cease discussing it? I am embarrassed enough.”
They began walking once more. The tide was out, the waves gentle and rolling, which allowed them to converse without shouting. “There’s no reason to be embarrassed about asking for help, for trying to take control of your own life. I applaud it, actually.”
“You do?”
“Yes. My parents were unhappy in their marriage, and I saw the misery inflicted on a woman with no power, no say over her life.”
“I’m sorry.”
He lifted a shoulder. “My father is not a nice man.” An understatement, but there was no reason to scare Alice with tales of the Ward family. Those nightmares belonged to Kit and his two siblings, both of whom had moved away years ago. He hadn’t seen either since his mother’s funeral, and his father had skipped town before even that, as soon as Kit’s mother grew ill. Four years it took her to die, and that bastard had already taken the family money and started a new life out West before she was cold in the ground.
Unfortunately, the distance hadn’t kept his father from trying to get his hands on Kit’s sizable trust fund. Kit’s maternal grandmother had set aside money for all the grandchildren, which they could access when they turned eighteen. Kit had been the only Ward sibling smart enough to refuse their father’s demand for money, and he hadn’t heard from dear Papa since.
“I take it you two aren’t close,” Alice said as she scooped up another egg.
“That is correct.” He pointed to the green egg in her hand. “That egg has more morality than my father.” Alice’s lips twitched, so Kit gave her an exaggerated expression of surprise. “Have I nearly made you laugh?”
The side of her mouth hitched. “You are amusing.”
“Well, that is something.” He dropped the second egg into his hat. “Tall, handsome and amusing? You’ll turn my head with all that flattery, Alice Lusk.”
She blushed under the rim of her hat, color decorating her cheekbones. “As if I could ever.”
“Turn my head, you mean? You seriously underestimate your appeal. When you left my room last night—” Shit. He couldn’t dare tell her that he’d pleasured himself to thoughts of her, while the sweet smell of her perfume or soap still lingered in the air.
“What?”
“It would hardly be a suitable conversation for a young lady.”
Alice stopped to look up at him, her expression more serious than a nun in church. “But that is precisely why you should tell me. That is why I came to you for help in the first place.”
&n
bsp; He shoved his free hand in his trouser pocket. This was dangerous territory indeed. The words were burning his tongue, his mind anxious to see her reaction as he told her the truth. I pulled out my cock before you were even down the hall. I sat on my bed, smelling your lingering flowery scent, and stroked myself, my erection so hard it hurt. Twisting and pulling, I worked my shaft until I trembled and spend erupted into my hand.
He shouldn’t. He promised Maddie, and Alice deserved better. She needed a gentle soul to help her wade into the shallows before allowing her to jump into deeper, more salacious waters. Those were the depths Kit loved—the more salacious, the better, actually—but Alice was innocent. He didn’t want to corrupt her.
Gesturing to the walk ahead, he said, “Shall we continue?”
What had he been about to say?
Mind whirring, Alice struggled to keep her hat on her head in the stiff breeze as a silent Kit led her along the path. The light, easy mood from before had shifted like the tide, and now he was polite but no longer his charming self. In fact, he’d hardly said two words since she’d prompted him to tell her about last night. Why?
She wished he’d talk again. Clearly, they needed to avoid the topic of the previous evening, which was fine with her. She’d experienced enough rejection for one weekend. But what else should they discuss? She didn’t know him at all and, even if she did, she was terrible at conversation.
What did strangers of the opposite sex talk about when they were alone? Kit didn’t seem enamored of his family, so best not to offend him by probing on that front. Politics and religion were often touchy subjects, not that he seemed inclined to discussing either. What was left? Hobbies and interests?
His deep voice interrupted her musings. “I can hear you thinking, Alice.”
“That is ridiculous,” she said automatically.
“So, you weren’t thinking?”
“Of course I was thinking. I’m always thinking.” She paused. “Aren’t you?”