by Tamara Gill
…
Callum stilled the moment her arms reached about his neck, and his heart beat a crescendo that made his breath catch. The first thing he noticed was her scent—roses, rich and sweet, intoxicated him—and he chastised himself for the fool he was being. Next, he would be writing sonnets about the minx.
Her beautiful blue eyes widened at the realization at what she was doing. “Forgive me, Lord Arndel. I should not have done that.”
A light blush rose on her cheeks but instead of letting her go, he pulled her closer. More surprising than her impromptu embrace was the fact she did not pull away. In fact, she met his forwardness with a little defiance, and the urge to kiss her into submission roared through him.
“There are other ways in which to thank a gentleman for his clever ideas.” Callum hoped she understood that his meaning was not the one most innocent misses would conclude.
She laughed, tipping her head to the side in thought. “I will not kiss you again, my lord.”
Callum barked out a laugh and let her step out of his arms. He shook his head, once again confounded by the Lady Alice Worthingham. She was much too smart for him, and, therefore, absolutely perfect. “You think scandalously,” he said, teasing her. “That was not my meaning at all. I merely meant you could’ve thanked me verbally, or sent me a bottle of your brother-in-law’s finest whisky from Scotland.”
“Henry’s?” she said, throwing him a teasing grin. “I’m sure he would, should I ask. He’s most doting on Beth and would do anything to please her sisters.”
Callum couldn’t help but think to not please a Worthingham lady would not be worth your while, and should one be so lucky as to win their love and affection, one would give the world to ensure they were forever happy and content. “Thank you,” he said, wishing more than he ought that her thanks had been a kiss.
His mama, although poor, had been rich in love and support from his father, and through their marriage, he had learned what it took to make such a union last and thrive. His first marriage had been one of love and affection, and he would forever love Maria and the beautiful daughter she’d gifted him.
But all things come to an end, and it was time for him to move forward and marry, find a woman who could guide Amelia through her future in the ton as a strong and independent woman, like the one standing before him.
“I will let you explain to the workers how to make these bunk beds, shall I?” Alice laughed, heading for the door and walking across the small hall to the parents’ room. Callum followed her. The roof of this room was missing, and they could see up into the clear blue sky.
“So this is where the parents will sleep. I had thought to place the bed here,” she said, pointing out a square on the wall opposite but facing the window. “What do you think?”
“I think that would be fine. The position does not hinder the door, and it gives them a pretty view of the sky first thing upon waking.”
“I’m going to have doors placed on the upstairs rooms as well, for privacy.”
Callum cleared his throat. “That would probably be wise.” He walked farther into the room, assessing it. “You could also build in some cupboards for storage, should the families going in here not have much furniture. It wouldn’t be a difficult task, nor expensive to do so.”
Alice leaned against the window frame and studied him a moment. “Do you mean building chests of drawers?”
“No,” he chuckled, “nothing as extravagant as that, but merely shelving along one side of the room.” Callum watched as she looked about, thinking on his suggestion before she nodded.
“I think that could work, and as the foreman, I’ll leave the details of this in your capable hands, as well.”
The following few hours were filled with similar conversations through all the cottages, as some were in worse condition than others, and needed alternate plans and ideas, although the original architect’s drawings were always adhered to, they simply added extras to make life more comfortable within the dwellings.
Callum introduced Alice to the workers, having met some of them when he’d first inherited Kester House in its deteriorated state. A few of the men working for Lady Alice had fixed the most pressing jobs on his home—as much as he could afford, before he’d been saddled with his cousin’s debts.
Alice seemed pleased with the first day’s progress and by noon the roof of one house was off entirely, and the men were fixing the beams to ensure they could hold the new slate tiles.
They walked out onto the street. Locals stood outside their houses watching the building works, and some children yelled out questions to the men busy on the roofs.
“Well, I don’t know about you, Lord Arndel, but I’m famished. Shall we have luncheon?”
Callum held out his arm and Alice took it. He was surprised at how comfortable she seemed to be with him, considering who he was and what he’d done. He’d thought after she found out the truth, his future would’ve held nothing but the walls of Newgate or possibly worse, banishment on the other side of the world in the penal colonies of New South Wales.
The inn was bustling with patrons, mostly men of all kinds who took the opportunity to include liquor with their lunch. Upon entering, the barman nodded in welcome and waddled over, gesturing them toward the private parlor. The whole time it took them to walk from the front room to the parlor, the man expelled his gratitude the Lady Alice Worthingham had chosen his establishment to dine.
Alice smiled kindly at the older gentleman. Callum held out a chair for her to take and seated himself beside her. Although there were chairs on the other side of the table, he wanted to take advantage of the window that ran the length of the room and gave them a good view of the town’s main thoroughfare.
That was what Callum told himself. It had nothing to do with wanting to be near her.
And yet, by the time the desserts had arrived, Callum had to decree that lunch was a diversion he had not needed. To watch Alice laugh, smile, and enjoy her food, licking her lips after devouring a delicious strawberry tart, was, in his estimation, too much to bear.
Again, her small perfect lips slid over the spoon, licking a drop of cream that sat at the side of her mouth and Callum adjusted his seat. Never would he eat with her again. He tore his gaze back to his own tart and demanded he get hold of his sensibilities.
“May I ask you a question, my lord?”
Her words pulled him from his inappropriate thoughts involving her mouth and he nodded. “What do you want to know?”
“You lived in Northumberland before Surrey. Do forgive me if I’m being too forward, but it sounded as if you had a comfortable life there. And yet, you’ve mentioned your parents struggled financially in their life.”
“We were poor, that was true, but Maria, my wife, came from a respectable family. There was some peerage in her ancestry, but her father bred thoroughbreds for the well-to-do. Beautiful horses that the toffs of London fought to purchase. When I started courting Maria, and we fell in love, her father made me an equal partner in the business. And during the three years we were married, the business became more successful.”
She eyed him a moment, a small frown line between her brow. “The debt of your cousin is surely not such a large sum, that with all these assets, how could you not have paid it off and be done with it. How is it that it’s caused you so much trouble?”
The memory of what Maria’s father had done chilled him, not to mention how the moneylenders had threatened his daughter to get what they wanted from him. He shivered. “On Maria’s death, her father blamed me, cursed me to the devil, and tried to take Amelia away from me. Our agreement was not legally binding since no documents were ever signed over the partnership. He cut me off without a dime, and when I wouldn’t allow Amelia to live with him, he had us kicked out of the house he’d gifted Maria and me. I fled with the few horses I had purchased with my own income and moved into Kester House when I inherited. It was not a good time.”
“Is your father-in-law
still living?”
“No,” he said, regret churning his gut. And he would never forgive himself for not making amends with a man who’d been brought low by grief. “He passed away only last year.”
She squeezed his arm and he nodded. “I’m so sorry.”
So was he, and yet, there was little he could do about it now, all of that was in the past, and now he had to look to the future and figure out a way to get himself out of his current mess.
“You said earlier that you would not comply to all of my demands. Would you care to elaborate on your decision now, my lord? We’re alone as you wished to be when discussing the matter.”
Callum looked over to where the maid sat before the window, where she, too, partook in the same luncheon, her attention wholly fixed on the goings-on outside.
Unable to bear the little bit of cream at the side of her mouth a moment longer, he passed her a linen napkin. “Before I start, I want you to know that my decision is final and not negotiable.” And he hoped she would see sense enough to understand why and not fight him on it. After the wonderful morning they’d had with each other, he would dislike it very much if they fought now.
“Go on,” she said, pouring a cup of tea while placing yet another tart on her plate.
He cleared his throat. “You wished me to help you with the cottages, and as you can see, I have agreed to do this. No matter what you think, I do wish to make amends to you and your family for what I’ve done, and helping to build these homes, giving what advice I can, will achieve that.”
“Are you looking at this as a form of punishment?” Her bright blue eyes met his, and he read the concern in them.
“At first, I may have thought this a punishment, although, I must admit, that today has been nothing but enjoyable, so I no longer think in that vein.”
Alice took a sip of her tea. “I’m satisfied that you’re trying to right a wrong, even if only through manual labor. It is enough for me, and of course, Victoria agrees.”
She leaned closer to him and the smell of roses met his senses, making him wish she’d move closer still. “You are in need of funds, my lord, and I’ve removed the asset that would’ve given you the blunt you needed,” she whispered. “For the honest work such as you started today, as discussed, I’m willing to offer a wage in lieu of the goods.”
“I cannot take money for goods I never owned in the first place. Furthermore, I don’t want your money, although offering it is more than I deserve.”
Her lips thinned and she sat back, watching him. “So it would seem you’re a changed gentleman, a man who has seen the error of your ways.” She paused. “Tell me why you stole, Lord Arndel.”
He sighed, the sound filled with regret. “It’s no secret my cousin had run up debts I could not pay. The debts were, frankly, beyond my reach, even if I sold what was not entailed. I refused to lose the estate under my control, but it was looking less likely every moment that I could keep it.” He paused, not sure how much he should tell her of his troubles. “I will find a way forward, and in a legal sense, I promise.” The way ahead would encompass him insisting the last amount due to the moneylender be in cash, not an emerald brooch. Would it be enough for the criminals who haunted his shadow? He didn’t know, but he hoped so. It had to be, before the thugs arrived on his door, and made good on the threats against his daughter.
After thinking over Alice’s proposal, he’d concluded he could not take anything for the work. It would be wrong, and if he was to prove himself not the cur on Society, he had to stick with this decision.
…
Alice didn’t doubt that Lord Arndel had pride, but perhaps in this instance, too much was on hand. “So you have debts, why not marry an heiress and have her dowry settle your financial woes.” Her maid seemed a little less interested in the street beyond, and more on their conversation. “You may go for a walk if you like, Mary. If you could call back for me in ten minutes, we will return home.”
“Yes, my lady,” her maid said, bobbing a quick curtsy and leaving.
“I don’t want my wife to think the only reason I married her was to gain her money. And you cannot tell me that should a gentleman offer you marriage under such a guise and you became aware of the fact, that it would leave you happy.”
“Of course not.” Alice would hate such a truth becoming her reality, but it was common enough through the ton for those who had little option. “I know I’m lucky in that my brother is a duke and I’m forever secure in my position, married or not. And I know others are not so fortunate, but we still have a choice, if given the option, when truth is involved.” His eyes narrowed and Alice wondered what he was thinking. If only she could be so forward as to ask him.
He cleared his throat, turning to look out onto the street. “Furthermore, I do not wish to be honored at the ball. Under the circumstances you’re well aware of, I do not feel comfortable at such praise.”
“Of course you are to be the guest of honor. Not only would not doing so seem odd now that the invited guests know why we’re hosting the ball, but because you have repented. And…right at this moment you are trying to redeem your actions as the Surrey Bandit.” He raised his brow and she frowned. “Your past career as a highwayman was a momentary lapse of concentration. Your neighbors wish to meet the new Viscount Arndel, and let’s not forget, should you choose to continue your horse-breeding enterprise, the connections you make at the ball can only help, not hinder.”
“After all that I’ve done, you would still welcome my company?”
Was that trepidation in his voice? “We all make mistakes, my lord. And I believe everyone is entitled to a second chance. Of course you’re welcome.”
“Thank you,” he said, placing his hand over hers.
Alice stilled, having not expected such a thing. She pulled away, fussing with her napkin in her lap, before slapping it onto the table. “You may tell me to mind my business, as I know you’ve been more than honest with me today, but what will you do with the debt your cousin left you. How will you pay it?”
“That is not a concern I wish to lay at your door, but be aware that I’ll not be marrying any rich miss for it.” He finished off his drink and Alice watched as his throat worked while swallowing.
Her mouth dried at the sight of stubble across his jaw. Her fingers itched to touch him. Was it hard and prickly, or would it tickle her lips just as it had the last time they kissed?
“Very well,” she said, standing to distract herself.
His lordship followed her lead. “There is one thing I wish to know, Lady Alice.”
“Just Alice would be fine, my lord. I think we know each other too well for such formality.”
He laughed, nodding. “I believe you may be right.”
She looked up at him, smiling. “What is it you want to know before I bring this delightful day to an end?”
“What story did you concoct to explain the magical appearance of your mother’s bauble?”
Alice grinned. “We told Mama we found her brooch on the side of the road on our way back from Ashford.”
“And the duchess believed you?”
Alice fought to roll her eyes at such an absurd notion that she would not. “Of course she did. Our mama had no reason not to believe our tale.”
“I do not doubt it.”
They walked outside and Alice spied her maid walking toward the inn. “Are you going to be present at the cottages most days, my lord?”
Arndel looked in the direction of the buildings, squinting a little with the sun starting to drop in the western sky. “I shall of course, as I said I would.” He stepped closer and Alice had to look up at him. “And you may call me Callum when we’re in private.”
Callum… Alice decided she liked the name. “Good day, Callum.” She grinned and headed toward her carriage, hearing Mary’s steps following close behind. Alice could feel the heat of his lordship’s attention on her, right up until the point she stepped up into her vehicle. She enjoyed that notion.
Chapter Twelve
Over the next few weeks, Alice hardly had time for anything other than the cottages and preparing for the ball, which was only a few hours away. Her mama had taken her and Victoria up to Town for new gowns for the Season, which, too, was to commence in only a week.
Alice wondered if she’d taken on too much. Everything seemed to be happening at once. Her maid pulled her hair and she gasped.
“I’m sorry, my lady. I cannot seem to get your hair to do as I wish tonight.”
Alice passed her a strand of diamonds that would thread through her hair. “It looks perfect as it is, Mary. Don’t fuss too much more with it.” Only a couple of strands of hair sat against her shoulder, and she smiled, loving the soft but structured coiffure Mary had achieved.
“There, my lady,” her maid said, standing back and smiling. “Are you pleased?”
Alice studied her hair a moment and thought it the best her maid had ever done. “You’ve surpassed yourself. Thank you, Mary.” Alice stood and pulled on her silk gloves. “No need to wait up for me tonight, I can put myself to bed.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Alice walked from the room and already the sound of laughter floated upstairs.
She headed down the staircase and could see a flurry of people arriving, her mama and brother greeting them in the foyer before a footman showed them toward the ballroom, which looked near full to capacity.
Excited at the thought of dancing, laughing, and drinking champagne until the early hours of the morning, she smiled. It had been so long since she’d attended a ball, well, at least since last Season, but a party was always welcome, especially when held at home, at her beloved Dunsleigh.
Spying her sister, Alice headed toward Victoria. “You look beautiful. Are those Mama’s pearls?”
“Yes,” Victoria said, touching her necklace. “She let me borrow them for the night.”
“You will turn heads.” Alice teased, gaining an eyeroll from Victoria. “I think not, but even if I do, I’m not interested. In fact, I may leave early.”