by Tamara Gill
“You’re lying again, sister. I can tell.”
“How so?” Alice stood, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You’re blushing.”
She tried to cover the telltale sign that always occurred when she fibbed. Damn it. With all this water about, she’d not thought a blush could form. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you other than I do not. You may choose to believe me or no.”
Her sister swam farther out into the pond, her laugh echoing off the trees that surrounded the stream. “You’ll get a pimple on your nose for saying such falsehoods.”
“I will not.”
“Ah ha! See. I was right, you do like him still.”
Alice swam out to the middle, glaring at her too-knowledgeable sister. “I will admit I still find him uncommonly handsome, but I do not wish to marry him.” She didn’t mention the true reasoning over her anger at Lord Arndel. That the night he’d said those things about her and her siblings, he’d seen her skulking behind the ferns and had still continued with his damaging take on them all. A little piece of her had died that night, knowing gentlemen, no matter their rank or position in Society, were playing a game more often than not. She’d never thought Lord Arndel to be one of them. Why she’d imagined such a thing, she couldn’t say, for she hadn’t known him well before the Season had commenced. But she’d thought him true—a man with morals, a friend even.
And yet, friends did not treat or speak about the other in such a manner, and now going forward, no matter how handsome he was, or how diligent on acting the gentleman around her, neighbors and cool acquaintances was all they’d ever be.
…
Callum trotted down the drive, the crunch of gravel underfoot loud in his ears. His head pounded after the solid hour of negotiations on the size of the parcel of land he wished to sell and at what price the duke was prepared to pay. It had made his mind hurt, not to mention his pride.
It was a worthwhile sale, and all he had left to sell that wasn’t entailed. The debt his late cousin had afforded him had left nothing for the estate to run on. A situation not easy to stomach and with the funds he’d gain from the duke, and careful budgeting, he could get the farm back to a profitable balance sheet within a couple of years. The sooner he traveled to London and rid himself of the jewel that would bring an end to his cousin’s debt, the better. If the menacing missive he’d received only last week was any indication, the moneylenders were growing restless, so much so that his daughter’s well-being had been mentioned once again. A subtle hint that they’d stolen her once before and that they could do it again, if they wished. He would die before he allowed anything to happen to her again.
He looked up at the old oaks that ran down either side of the driveway and welcomed the occasional shade the trees brought. Sweat beaded his brow when he turned off the road and headed toward his own estate.
In only a few weeks, Callum would be a free man, the noose of debt about his neck, and his lifestyle as the Surrey Bandit over. He spurred his horse forward. Today may have been tiring and challenging, but it had been worth every pain inflicted on his soul.
He cantered across the fields, happy to let the horse decide its own course. He followed the local stream that had once marked the two different estates. But no longer. Once the legalities were finalized, the stream would sit on the Worthingham’s property line, and he would have the cash to prove it. Callum laughed, feeling joy and sensing a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel he’d traveled these past two years.
He slowed his mount to cross the small wooden bridge that passed over the stream and the muffled sound of laughter and splashing water came from a little ways upstream. For a moment, he stopped to listen and in doing so, had an inkling of who it might be.
Urging his mount forward, he rode through the thicket of foliage and jerked his horse to a stop when the vision before him became apparent. His horse flicked its head, not appreciative of his roughness on the bit, but Callum was too preoccupied to care once he saw what paraded before him in the water.
He ought to be ashamed of himself, hiding in the trees like some desperate youth, but he was not. To see Alice swimming, enjoying the cool water and the company of her sibling was something he could watch every day, even if she was a hellion most of the time. They were so innocent, unlike himself, who was as far from innocent as one could get; being the Surrey Bandit eliminated him from such virtue.
He swallowed hard when Alice floated on her back and her transparent shift was all that stood between him seeing her true form. Not that he couldn’t make out what delights lay hidden beneath her attire. Even fully clothed, Callum was aware of what assets Alice had to offer the husband she would one day acquire.
Dismounting, he pulled the reins over his horse’s head and allowed his mount to graze before walking out into the open. The sisters continued to swim, both of them unaware he’d come upon their outing. Alice floated with her eyes closed, her lips in a contented smile. He cleared his throat, wanting her to notice him, for by God, he’d noticed her. Had in fact, noticed her from the first moment he’d seen her in London last Season. Not that he could have acted on his attraction back then—asset rich but cash poor—so much so that he’d been stealing from the very people she called friends.
But now, it was a different matter entirely.
Alice’s golden hair flowed about her face, a halo of sorts when the dappled sunlight hit the water’s surface. Callum forced his eyes to close and remembered to breathe. Where were his manners, his ability to act a gentleman? Not here, it would seem.
“What an odd man you are, Lord Arndel. Are you praying?”
With a start, he opened his eyes, cringing as both sisters stood in the shoulder deep water, staring at him. He shouldn’t have followed the sound. He’d known damn well where it led—to nothing but trouble and a woman named Alice.
“I um—” He cleared his throat, looking away from the water droplets that fell from the most delectable lips he longed to take possession of. The thought of kissing her sweet mouth brought a mad flush to his cheeks, and he looked up to the sky for salvation.
“Well, are you going to answer my question, my lord? It’s very rude. Don’t you agree, Victoria?”
Victoria snorted. “I most definitely agree.”
Only then did he look at Alice. “I apologize for my intrusion. I was on my way home, when I heard a sound coming from this direction. I thought an animal may have been injured or some such.”
The raised eyebrow Alice bestowed in his direction made it perfectly obvious that she thought him a liar. And so she should, for he spoke bullocks that even sounded like bullocks to his own ears.
Idiot.
“Are you saying that our voices mimic that of an injured animal?” Her arms ran through the water before her, the movement distracting him from all sensible thought, before she said in a voice as sweet as sin, “My lord? Is that your opinion?”
Adjusting his too-tight cravat, he took off his hat and fanned his face. He looked to his horse and it, too, stared at him, as if waiting to see what answer he would come up with.
“No. Of course not. I was riding past, and over the sound of the horse I couldn’t hear very well, you see. I apologize if I caused offense.”
She shrugged and submersed herself deeper in the water. Definitely a good idea, in his estimation. “Victoria and I decided to go for a swim. I hope you don’t mind, since we’re on your land and haven’t asked for permission.”
That was the least of his concerns. The water glistened off her chin and dripped toward breasts that he refused to look at. There would be no turning back if he succumbed to such temptation. Callum shoved his hat back on his head and ignored the merriment in her blue orbs. “No, not at all. But.” He looked about. “Where is Victoria going?”
Alice looked toward the direction her sister swam and smiled. “There’s a shallow pool around the corner of the stream. The water is always warmer there. I should imagine that is where she’s heade
d. Here in the center of the pond it can get quite cool.”
“Ah, I was not aware of that,” he said, losing his own battle and looking where he’d sworn not to. Damn it! Alice would think him more of an ass if he kept up such antics. And after last Season and what she’d overhead him saying, the chit didn’t need any more inclination to hate him.
“Not that it matters any longer what hidden gems the water holds, for soon I’ll no longer be the owner of it.”
“You’re selling?” She looked at him, shock clearly written on her features.
“Only some acreage to your brother, which I’m sure you and Victoria will be happy about.” Her smile lit up the grove and he sat on a nearby log, not delving too far into his psyche as to why he was making himself comfortable before a near-naked woman. A virginal, unmarried miss and sister to a powerful duke.
“I cannot say I’m not delighted by this news, although I hope you’ve thought through the sale and are not making a hasty decision.” She swam closer and he adjusted his seat. “I fear you will miss this swimming locale. It’s such a beautiful spot to own.”
He couldn’t agree more and he supposed she had a point, but he would enjoy the funds for the estate more than a swimming pond. “I have enough land to keep me well occupied, I assure you.” She chuckled and he laughed. When animated, Alice was one of the most handsome women he’d ever beheld. Over the past year, he’d watched her from afar, a woman of her rank, even with his new title, was so far above him he’d dared not court her. That he’d been atrociously rude last Season was all due to his own insecurities about his position in Society. He’d attended most balls only for the sake of identifying a certain ring, brooch, or necklace that the moneylenders wanted for the cache. He had not wanted to muddy the waters by courting a woman who clearly liked him a little. To be close with anyone could’ve thrown them, too, into danger, to be used as a pawn for him to do more than he already was as the Surrey Bandit. He’d not been able to risk it and, in turn, had hurt Alice without wanting to.
“Lady Alice, I must apologize for my reprehensible words and actions last Season. It was not a good time for me, and I fear you received the brunt of my harsh words. Each one of them an untruth that you did not deserve. I’ve wanted to say that I’m sorry from the moment I spoke them, and now that I can, I truly wish for you to forgive my ungentlemanly actions.”
A slight smile tweaked her lips and he was lost. How he wanted her, with a desperation that didn’t fathom thinking about.
“Apology accepted, Lord Arndel, even though it is shockingly overdue.”
He smiled, a great weight lifted from his conscience. “Thank you for being so agreeable.”
“Had your apology not been heartfelt, I wouldn’t have accepted it, I can assure you, but it was, so you’re forgiven.” She paused. “As for the lake, I’ll be happy to call this place my own from now on.” She looked up at him, shading her face against the sun. “We learned to swim not far from here, you know. Our father taught us how to ride and swim, as well as any boy.”
“I never knew your father, but from what your brother has told me, he seemed like a great man.”
She nodded, looking away for a moment. “He was wonderful. I think you would’ve liked him.”
Callum wasn’t so sure the late duke would’ve liked him, if he ever found out his neighbor was the Surrey Bandit. He pushed the thought aside. The point was moot, as the gentleman was dead and so, too, would the bandit be—very soon. “I think I would’ve, too,” he agreed.
The wind chose that moment to pick up, leaves floating into the water as they scattered from the trees. “Well, I suppose we should head back.”
For a moment, Callum didn’t comprehend her words before she raised her brow and comprehension struck.
“Could you turn about, my lord? I need to get out and unfortunately, my shift isn’t appropriate wear for you to see me in.” She grinned. “Once I have my gown back on you may stop admiring the foliage.”
“Forgive me.” He turned and looked at his horse, rolling his eyes at his own stupidity. His mount stared at him as if he were a simpleton, something Callum certainly thought he was turning into. It snorted and lowered its head to eat the grass. The sound of Alice dressing behind him tormented him, and the urge to peek almost overrode his gentlemanly behavior. Victoria spoke as she joined Alice after dressing themselves.
After a little while, seeing him kick his heels in the grass, Alice came up from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. “You can turn about again now.”
…
Alice went and sat on the small log that Lord Arndel had occupied and patted the wood for him to join her. She picked at the knot of her bonnet ribbons as he did as she bid.
After the cool water, seated this close to his lordship left her shivery, her skin prickling in little bumps. Perhaps this was a bad idea. She pulled hard at the knot and inwardly swore when it refused to give way.
“Here, let me have a go.” He took her bonnet and the sight of his large, capable hands working delicately against her hat made her think of what they would feel like against her flesh, running across her lips after a passionate kiss, or replacing a strand of hair gone astray.
He removed the knot and looked at his work with pride. “There. Gone.” He passed it back to her and she laughed a little.
“Thank you. You’re quite handy to have about.” Alice studied him for a moment. His eyes reminded her of the bandit’s when he’d asked for a kiss. Hot and full of longing. But unlike the rogue thief, Lord Arndel was a gentleman, who many would think suitable for courtship. Not that she wished for such a thing, for she knew only too well what he thought of her. A rich spoiled child, to be precise.
“Where is Victoria?”
“She returned home. Something about letting her hunting dogs out for a run. She has a new little pug puppy that’s forever taking up her time. The sole reason we came on our walk today, in fact. The little terror was well on the way to destroying Mama’s favorite rug.”
He laughed, a loud guffaw that was carefree and genuine, and she liked the sound of it. “I can understand your escape.”
“Yes.” They fell into silence for a moment, both watching the flowing waters go by and listening to the leaves crackle as they floated on the wind.
“I’m to have further meetings with your brother tomorrow. Maybe you will be generous enough to take a walk about the gardens with me?”
“I have a better idea. Since the ball is in your honor, let me show you about Dunsleigh” She placed her bonnet on her head. “We have many ideas for the gathering already, and I’d welcome your opinion on our plans. There is nothing better than a ball at home, I feel. As much as I’ve grown to love London, I do prefer assemblies here, to anywhere else.”
“Here, let me help you with your bonnet,” he said, taking the ribbons out of her hand and commencing to tie them about her chin.
Alice sat still as his fingers brushed her neck, and a shiver stole over her. He was so careful with his ministrations, concentrating quite a lot, that a little frown line formed between his eyes.
She shouldn’t take so much interest in his visage, but being this close, it was impossible not to do so. Lord Arndel was handsome, there was no other word to describe him. Incandescently, delectably roguish. With the man sporting a dusting of stubble across his jaw and a serious brow that sat above the most perfectly shaped eyes she’d ever seen—who could not phrase him so?
He met her scrutiny with blue eyes that in parts looked almost gray, and the breath in her lungs hitched. Arndel took in her features, and unconsciously she bit her lip. Was he going to kiss her? She’d sworn never to look at him again in a romantic light, so would she allow him to kiss her, should he try? He did apologize and she said she’d forgiven him, so…
“Perfect,” he said, finishing the bow and letting his hands drop from her ribbons.
Disappointment stabbed at her that he’d not tried, but she stopped that thought from going any further. Sh
e’d not wanted him to kiss her. Although looking at him again, she couldn’t help but wonder at the softness of his lips. They were, after all, a lovely shape for a man.
His sigh, tinged with frustration, made her look up. “I should head back to Kester House. My servants will be wondering where I am.”
Alice grinned. “Do you always worry about what your servants are thinking?” She studied him a moment. Lord Arndel hadn’t been in the position of lord and master for very long, so she supposed it was possible he saw his servants more as friends instead of employees.
“I suppose I do in a small way. I know I should not.”
“I’m glad to hear that you do, for I share your ideals. We may have been born to privilege, or in your case inherit it, while others are not, but it does not make us any better than anyone else.” From the first night she’d seen his lordship at the Haversham’s ball, she’d sensed he really had no idea how to act or go about in Society and she’d liked that about him.
She had fallen a little for the male wallflower that he’d been.
Lord Arndel was the opposite of what one would term a “lofty lord.” He’d gone about the ballroom looking like a lost kitten among a pack of wolves. He’d had no idea of what it was like in Society, to be a part of the ton, how to play the game, and master it, better than anyone else.
Most people in the bon ton were better actors than those who treaded the boards in the theaters. Looks could be deceiving among their set.
“I shall take that as a compliment, Lady Alice.”
The wind chose that moment to pick up further and she shivered. “You should.” Alice pulled her slippers on quickly, needing to return home and get out of her damp shift. “Has anyone ever told you that you smell like lemons, Lord Arndel?”
He ran his hands through his hair, looking a little self-conscious that she’d said such a thing out loud.
“My cook has perfected a soap that has a touch of the scent.”