by Tamara Gill
Their mama raised her brow in surprise. “Truly, daughter? Are you sure there is nothing you would like me to buy or help you with?”
Alice noted her amused tone and wondered at it. Was she teasing her in some way? “I don’t believe so.” She frowned, wondering what she was missing in the conversation.
Her mama laughed. “I merely meant that if you wished for help with the houses you’re refurbishing, I’m willing to donate. Just tell me what you would like me to do.”
“Truly, Mama?” Alice leaned forward, excited at the thought of what she could further do to improve the small homes. “Well, there is something that I think the cottages will need, but haven’t looked into it a lot yet, as we’re a little away from being at that stage of the build.”
“Tell me, and I will see what I can do.”
Her mother’s generosity was more than she thought returning a brooch deserved, but it seemed, when one did a good deed, sometimes good things happened in return. “As you know, the families who live there have very little, and I’m having the builders make all the beds in the cottages as a permanent fixture in the rooms, but I have no linen. No straw or feather mattresses, for that matter. And as much as I would love them to sleep on feather, I know that is an extravagance, but would you help me fit out the cottages with bedding? That would be the best gift in the world, and I’ll not ask for a new wardrobe again unless it’s my husband who’s purchasing one.”
“As much as I’m thrilled you’re still talking of marriage, preparing the bedding for your tenants will be my pleasure. Finding this brooch is something I could never thank you girls enough for. So, it will be an honor to help you.”
Alice stood and hugged her mama. “Thank you so much. This is beyond all my expectations.”
Her mama laughed. “That would make two of us, my dear.” She paused, gathering her wits. “But speaking of your renovations, there is talk in the town of you taking control of the builders, being quite forthright and demanding when it comes to the work commencing and such. I can’t help but think, no matter how fantastic your venture is to help the needy, that your brother would be much better suited to doing what is rightfully a man’s employment.”
“I disagree, Mama. And I’m sorry you’re worried about what people are saying, but I am not. I will help the people of Ashford, and the old fuddy-duddies can go hang.”
“You may be the daughter of a duke, but someone mentioned that your gown was covered in dust and your hair was gray with cobwebs.”
Alice shrugged, taking another sip of tea. “The townspeople ought to be thankful their patron’s daughters are not frivolous and cold-hearted, but wish to make the world a better place and help those who are less fortunate.”
A resigned sigh sounded from her mama and Alice smiled, having won the argument.
“Very well, but try not to make so much of a spectacle of yourself. You are to travel up to London soon for the Season. And I do believe smooth hands would be better met by your gentlemen admirers than calloused ones.”
Victoria chuckled.
“Talking of my cottages, I have another meeting in Ashford tomorrow with Josh and the cabinet maker, so I think I’ll go upstairs and have my dinner sent up tonight. If you don’t mind, Mama. I feel a little tired after today’s adventure.”
“Are you well, my dearest?” her mama asked, concern tinging her voice.
“I’m very well. I just want to relax and rest in my room.” Alice ignored her sister’s concerned glance and stood. “Good night.”
“I’ll come with you. I, too, am feeling a little weary.”
“Will you be down for dinner, Victoria, or should I let the servants know it’ll only be me and Josh?”
“I’ll be down for dinner, Mama, I’m just having a little rest beforehand.” Victoria leaned down and kissed her mother’s cheek, and clasping Alice’s arm, pulled her from the room.
As soon as their slippered feet hit the foyer tiles, Victoria rounded on her. “You said once we returned home and Mama accepted our story that you would tell me what happened with Lord Arndel? You went behind the carriage and were awfully quiet. I demand to know what you’re playing at.”
Alice scoffed and went to walk away, but her sister squeezed her arm—hard. “What are you doing, V?”
“What happened, Alice?”
“Nothing occurred.” The lie, a betrayal to her sister, threatened to release every word, every thought, and action she’d done behind that carriage. To confess how much she had loved every moment of it. How much she longed to experience another such kiss.
“You’re blushing brighter than Mama’s favorite roses.” Victoria threw her an assessing stare, before pulling her toward the staircase. “You kissed him, didn’t you?”
Shame, mixed with excitement, ran through Alice, and heat suffused her face. “I didn’t think my taunting of him would lead to such an action.” But in truth, Alice had instigated the kiss. For weeks she’d wanted to see what it would be like to kiss a man, and not any man, but Lord Arndel.
The thought of his lips against hers, his slightly roughened jaw that told her all too well that the man before her was a virile, suitable gentleman. Not that she’d allow him to court her—he was a liar, a thief, and the Surrey Bandit—which she couldn’t forget. But…maybe, if he redeemed himself in some way.
“Well, I can see it has. How could you? He stole from us.”
“I know he did. I haven’t forgotten, and I intend to make him pay for his crimes. And one kiss does not equal marriage. I merely trifled with him, that is all. No need to get your shift in a knot.”
Victoria gasped. “My shift? Seriously, Alice. I know you’ve always been the wildest of us all, golly, even Josh isn’t as wicked as you can be, but you cannot go kissing gentlemen on the sides of roads. Especially, not Lord Arndel. If Mama ever found out what he’s done, and you marry him, well, it will kill her for sure.”
“As I said, I don’t intend to marry him. Stop worrying.” They continued up the stairs, the frown line between Victoria’s eyebrows becoming deeper with each step. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”
Her sister nodded but didn’t look to be consoled by her words. “Now that I’ve scolded you, I hope you keep your word.” Victoria bit her lip, a light flush marking her cheeks. “Will you tell me what the kiss was like?”
Alice laughed, hugging her close to her side. “All that I hoped it would be rolled into one. He kissed me with such passion I thought my stomach, which was full of butterflies, would float away.”
“Wow,” Victoria said dreamily. “I’ve heard men can kiss quite enthusiastically. Did he?”
Alice thought back to his strong arm that had wrapped about her waist, the other holding her head firmly against his. Their breath had mingled with each stroke and glide of their mouths, the delicious spike of her heartbeat that she wanted to feel again, if only one more time. It was any wonder her older sisters, who were now respectfully married, always seemed to disappear from balls and parties at the oddest moments. For, if what they were doing with their gentlemen admirers was anything like she had done with Lord Arndel, well, it certainly explained a few things she’d been wondering about.
“Yes, I do believe he did, but then,” Alice said, smiling. “I have nothing to base the kiss on, for it was my first, so perhaps he was merely amusing himself with me.”
Victoria scoffed. “I’ve seen the way Lord Arndel looks at you, and believe me, even if I don’t know much about the opposite sex, he does not look like you’re merely being trifled with to cure his own boredom. And that’s why I feel I must caution you against teasing such a gentleman, for after what he’s done and what we know as fact, you cannot marry him.”
“I know that.” Alice stopped outside her bedroom door, knowing only too well what her sister meant. “I will see you at breakfast.”
Victoria smiled. “Good night, Alice. I hope you’re feeling more reinvigorated come the morning.”
“I’m sure I wil
l.” Alice walked into her room and rang for her maid, deciding that a bath was in order, too. Perhaps that would wash away the day’s trials and like her sister said, come the morn, all would be better and life would seem less troubled.
Not that she could guarantee the same for Lord Arndel. She would have to think about his punishment. She did not like to be judge and jury to a fellow peer, but when one wanted to keep said peer from the gallows, due to the fact he was the sole parent to a child, exceptions must be made.
When her maid appeared, Alice ordered her bath, sat down at her writing desk, and pulled out a piece of parchment. She scribbled a short note for Lord Arndel, notifying his lordship of her intention to visit in two days and that she expected him to be at home. Alice didn’t sign the note, but she had no doubt that he would know who the sender was nor did she need her mama to find out who she was sneaking out to visit, unmarried as she was.
She sealed the note and sat it where her maid collected all her mail from the little silver salver on her desk. Out the window, she looked toward where Kester House stood and wondered what he was doing right at this moment and what he was thinking.
After today’s adventure, something told her tonight would be a restless sleep for his lordship and, even with all that she was aware about Arndel, the thought didn’t fill her with pleasure, but sadness.
Chapter Ten
Two days later, Alice found herself sitting in Lord Arndel’s library, the gentleman unfashionably late for their meeting. She tapped her foot against the parquetry floor and stared out the window, watching as the gardener strode across the lawn with a wheelbarrow full of weeds.
At least the garden was looking a lot better than it used to.
The door opened and closed, the snip of the lock loud in the quiet room. Alice didn’t bother to turn and greet his lordship. He was late and there was no hiding the truth as to why she was here today.
They had a lot to discuss.
Lord Arndel strode past her and much to her dismay, the gray suede buckskin breeches looked worn and a little tattered. How bad were his financial woes? He didn’t bid her welcome, and her stomach twisted in nerves. For all her aplomb, even Alice understood the severity of their forthcoming conversation, and so it would seem, did he.
He sat, and with seeming reluctance, looked at her. He’d not slept, if the dark shadows beneath his eyes told her anything, nor did he seem pleased to see her. Which, she supposed, was understandable.
“I apologize for my tardiness and lack of formal attire. I was not expecting you until this afternoon.”
Alice looked away, as he hastily tried to right his cravat, and, unable to do it without a mirror, left it loose about his neck, the top shirt buttons lay open and allowed her to see his too-lovely shaped neck. Had he been sleeping? The thought of him idle in his bed, half dressed or perhaps even naked, wasn’t a helpful musing and she shook the deliberation aside.
“I must apologize for calling early. I have an appointment I do not wish to miss in Ashford. I hope you do not mind. Perhaps I should call another time, when you’ve had time to dress yourself appropriately.” Alice raised her brow, narrowing her gaze when he chuckled, the sound deep and oddly, seductive. She’d meant her remarks to be cutting, anything other than this longing that had taken over her body and wanted nothing more than for him to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Just as he had a few days ago. What would his lordship do if she stood up and went and sat in his lap? Would his reaction be horror or hope?
“Tsk, tsk, my lady. You are all kindness this morning.”
She sighed. “I think you know, and let’s not pretend otherwise, why I am here today.”
“I have no idea.” He stared at her without a flicker of emotion, and Alice couldn’t believe the gumption of the man. He wanted her to state it, to bring up what obviously he wouldn’t. The cad.
“How old are you, Lord Arndel?”
He frowned at the change of subject. “Nine and twenty years, but I fail to see how this has anything to do with our discussion.”
“I’m merely wondering if your lack of memory is due to your ancient age, as it would seem that his lordship is nearly thirty, and so one could forgive you for your inability to remember as to why I would come.”
He smiled and her stomach tightened. Alice adjusted her seat and fought to pull herself into some form of decorum. There was something wrong with her to be so out of sorts. It was most certainly not due to Lord Arndel and his ability to fluster her without even saying a word. She inwardly swore.
“You wish to discuss the ball you’re hosting in my honor.”
Alice ground her teeth, hating the fact he was baiting, teasing her to the point where she would lose her temper and say or do something she would regret. She nibbled her bottom lip and with a little satisfaction watched as his lordship’s attention fixed on her mouth.
“Not the ball, no. Although that would be a much preferable conversation. Alas, due to your actions over the last few months, the ball and its organization will have to wait.”
He didn’t say anything, just stared at her with a stoic visage. “Go on, then. I wait with keen interest.”
“You leave me with little choice and so I will be blunt. How long have you been the Surrey Bandit?”
“A while.”
For a moment Alice didn’t say a word, having not expected him to be so honest. “Is that all the reply I’m going to receive from you, my lord? A while. Are you not ashamed of your actions? I would’ve thought an apology was in order, since you stole from my family. But it would seem you believe this kind of behavior is acceptable.”
“Would saying ‘sorry’ make what I’ve done to you forgivable?”
His eyes were no longer filled with mirth.
“No.”
“Well then,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “It is a wasted word that I do not need to say.”
She gaped. Unbelievable, insufferable coxcomb. “Do you hear yourself? You sound, and forgive my language, like an ass. You ought to beg forgiveness from everyone. You have a home, land, and a daughter, although you keep her from everyone for reasons only you yourself know. And yet you would risk all of that to line your pockets with gold.”
“You have no idea as to why I stole, and yes, it was wrong, but people will do what is required for those around them to live normal, healthy lives without danger or threat. And I would do it all again should my loved ones be threatened.”
“Were they threatened?” she asked, wondering at his choice of words.
His lordship rubbed his jaw and looked toward the windows for a moment.
“You forget that you also stole from me, Lady Alice. Two wrongs do not make a right.” He laughed, mockingly.
“Answer the question, dammit. Are you being threatened? Is there more to this thieving that you’re not telling me?” Such a possibility hadn’t entered Alice’s mind, and on reflection, even she would consider such crimes, if her family was in danger. Of course, such thoughts were wrong, and in church next Sunday she would have to beg forgiveness for such views, but it didn’t change the fact that she would still do what was required to survive.
“Language, my lady.” Arndel stood and came about the desk, leaning against it before her. Alice sat back in her chair, not liking that being this close to his lordship did all sorts of absurd things to her body. It was not her own when around him, and as hard as she tried, she could not get her heart to behave.
“Your mouth is quite the dirty little fiend when riled.”
Alice stood, coming up to stand almost eye level with him. “That’s a lark coming from you, for as I recall, you enjoyed my mouth.” Where the words came from, or the gumption to say them, Alice had no idea, but say them she did, and the heated turn of his demeanor left her knees weak and her stomach coiling in expectation.
He reached up and laid a finger against her lips, and her breathing hitched. “I wonder what else your mouth could do when tutored.”
Alice
frowned, not understanding the meaning behind his words. She should step away, she really ought. “And will it be you who tutors me?” His finger slid across her lips, and a heavy ache settled between her thighs. “After your kiss the other day, I find your technique lacking, my lord.”
He smirked. Smirked! And Alice had the urge to swipe off such a delectable lilt to his lips. Lord Arndel was truly acting the rogue.
“I don’t believe that for a moment. And no matter how much you may deny it, you liked my kiss. Admit it.”
Heat suffused her face. “I did not. If anything, it only proved that you, my lord, are a debaucher and thief whom, after this ball, I shall have nothing to do with.”
“Well,” he said, standing and pushing her back by her shoulders before walking around to the other side of his desk and taking his seat. “How will I ever recover from the cut direct such as the one you intend to give me?”
Alice strode up to the desk and leaned over the mahogany. “This conversation is not over, sir. You must pay for what you’ve done, and I’m here to ensure that is the case.”
“And what does the honorable Lady Alice Worthingham suggest? Please don’t say you wish for another kiss, for the first one was torture enough.”
Alice pushed away the flicker of hurt that his words caused. He had to be lying, for remembering back to their embrace, it had been anything but torture and he had seemed to enjoy it.
“As you know,” she said, pacing before his desk. “I have a row of cottages that are about to be renovated. I need a man on site who’ll overlook all that I wish to be done. My mama has raised concerns over me doing it myself, and because I love her so dearly, I promised to be a little less…”
“In everyone’s business?”
She glared at him. “No. Inappropriate, even though I don’t believe doing something to help others could be deemed as such, but we must keep the upper ten thousand happy, mustn’t we?”
He shrugged. “I never have, nor will I ever. And neither will I fall into your plans, so it would be best that you find another gentleman to do your bidding.”