The carriage rolled to a stop. Gideon climbed out of the vehicle, then turned to assist her.
“Here we are,” he said, with a definite note of satisfaction in his voice. He stepped aside, and she found herself looking up very familiar steps.
“Oh dear.” Judith winced.
“It’s the Horticultural Society,” Gideon said proudly. “There’s a lecture to night about the discovering of new varieties of South American orchids by the very man who led the expedition.”
“Is there indeed?” She forced an enthusiastic note to her voice. “How very interesting.”
“I thought you would…” He narrowed his gaze. “Did you already know about this?”
“I am sorry, Gideon, of course I knew. I can’t believe I completely forgot about it.”
“You’re probably a member of the society, aren’t you?” His voice had the tone of someone who already knew the answer to his question.
“I have been for years,” she said apologetically.
He blew a resigned breath, took her elbow, and started up the stairs. “Blast it all, you are an incredibly difficult woman to surprise.”
“Spain would have been a surprise,” she murmured.
“I thought this would be perfect.”
“Well, I am surprised as I had forgotten all about it.” She favored him with her brightest smile.
“You could have pretended, you know,” he muttered.
“We agreed to honesty between us.”
He snorted. “Only a certain amount. I remember that distinctly. You said too much would take all the fun out of it.” He smiled in a grudging manner. “I suppose if I would try to avoid places you had already intended to go or resist giving you plants you already own, a surprise might be easier to achieve.”
Judith bit back a grin and adopted a solemn tone. “I was very surprised by the orchid.”
“I’m certain you were.” He chuckled. “I shall try to do better the next time.”
“Surprise or not, the thought was lovely and is most appreciated. I am delighted that you would even think of accompanying me to night. I know your passion for exotic plants is not as great as mine.”
“I have no passion for exotic plants.”
“Exactly.” She studied him for a moment. “These lectures can be dry at the best of times. For someone with no interest in the subject at all, it might well be deadly dull.”
“I don’t expect to be the least bit bored,” he said coolly. “I shall be with you.”
A delightful warmth washed through her at his words. “You are a charming devil, my lord.”
“I know.”
“There is a reception afterward,” she said in as enticing as manner as she could.
“I dearly love warm lemonade and stale biscuits.” He leveled her a firm glance. “Which I will gladly endure for you.”
“No doubt the price you pay for being a charming devil.”
“No doubt,” he said under his breath.
The doors were opened at their approach by invisible hands. She glanced at Gideon and marveled that he would be willing to spend the evening doing something he had absolutely no interest in doing just to make her happy. It was at once hard to believe and quite, quite wonderful. What was even harder to believe was that, for the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt, well, happy. Not that she had been particularly unhappy, but this was different. This was…bliss. The thought struck her that she should not become accustomed to it, simply enjoy it while it lasted.
“Just affix a charming smile to your face”—she grinned in a wicked manner—“and think of Spain.”
By God, Gideon would have wagered nothing could surpass the tedium of listening to Lady Dinsmore’s relentlessly untalented relations spout bad poetry or sing in a decidedly off-key manner. He would have lost.
He stood by himself at the moment, dutifully sipping at the glass of what passed for punch, and watched Judith move gracefully around the surprisingly full reception room. He had no idea there was this much interest in plants in the entire world, let alone in London. There were even a few people here that he knew. Secret botanists apparently.
If there were a true element of surprise to the evening it was Judith herself. He had known she had a passion for her conservatory and her orchids, but he had not realized the extent of her expertise. Here, he’d watched her speak as an intellectual equal with gentlemen who were obviously experts and, even more astonishing, had watched them respond, not to her feminine charms, but to her mind. Gideon had known she was clever, but observing her now, he realized he hadn’t had the faintest idea just how knowledgeable she was. She hid it well, but the woman was a bloody expert. He couldn’t help but wonder what else she might be hiding.
“It’s rather dull for the uninitiated,” an older gentleman at Gideon’s side observed.
“The punch more than makes up for it.” Gideon smiled at the other man. “Lord Thornecroft, isn’t it?”
“Very good, Warton. It’s been a long time.” The Earl of Thornecroft chuckled. “Not since that actress—”
“Indeed it has,” Gideon said quickly. Thornecroft was an amicable sort with a penchant for ladies of the theater. They had indeed crossed paths in the past, the exact details of which were probably better left in the past. “I had no idea you were interested in orchids.”
“Oh, I am fascinated by all manner of exotic plant life. I am especially interested in ancient Egyptian and tropical flora. My interest, however, is not common knowledge, and I prefer it that way.” The older gentleman grinned. “Wouldn’t do to be known as a stuffy old scholar. It would spoil my reputation.”
Gideon laughed.
“Nothing could spoil that reputation.” Judith stepped up beside them, favored Thronecroft with an affectionate smile, and held her hand out to him. “I understand it is well earned.”
“It would be better earned.” Thornecroft kissed her hand and cast her a wicked smile. “If I had had the opportunity.”
Judith laughed and addressed Gideon. “He does indeed hide it but His Lordship is considered an expert on the flora of ancient Egypt.”
Thornecroft shrugged in a modest manner. “Nothing more than a hobby really.”
“No one except you would call it a hobby. Lord Thornecroft helped me a great deal when I first began gathering specimens for my conservatory.” Judith smiled with genuine warmth at the older man. Something suspiciously like jealousy stabbed Gideon. He ignored it.
“She has become quite the expert herself.” Affection and pride shone in the older man’s eyes. “Her collection, as well as her knowledge, is most impressive.”
“So I’ve noticed,” Gideon murmured. It was absurd to be the least bit jealous of the earl. Why, he was old enough to be her father. Not that age had ever dissuaded Thornecroft, from what Gideon had heard. Indeed, it could be said that Judith was too old for him. Still, it seemed these two shared a mutual passion and a friendship forged from that passion that had nothing whatsoever to do with the usual relationships between men and women. And that, Gideon realized abruptly, was precisely what he envied.
Judith drew her brows together suspiciously. “I thought you were supposed to be braving the waters of the Amazon in search of rare species of lily?”
“I was forced to change my plans. My nephew and only living relative decided to at last return to London. He’s been gone for years.” He shook his head. “Exploring the wilds of South America can wait.”
“I’m not entirely sure how much longer I can wait.” Judith sighed. “I should like to see the orchids of Colombia for myself.”
“I hear there is an expedition forming in Paris.” Thornecroft studied Judith in a speculative manner. “Or perhaps we could sponsor our own?” Excitement sounded in his voice. “I know it sounds far-fetched but I should have thought of it long ago. Between the two of us, we have the funds to attract—”
“I wanted to explore jungles when I was a child,” Gideon said without thinking,
then cringed to himself. I wanted to explore jungles? Where on earth had that come from?
Judith and Lord Thornecroft stared at him.
Gideon smiled weakly. “Somehow, it just slipped my mind over the years.”
“Pity.” Judith tried and failed to hide a smile.
“Perhaps you may yet, my boy. Should we indeed decide to pool our resources and fund an expedition of our own, why, you could join us.”
“Excellent,” Gideon said firmly. An expedition to look for flowers in the jungle? Not bloody likely. Still, he was not about to let Judith go off into the wilds of South America with anyone, let alone Thornecroft.
The earl considered Gideon as if he knew exactly what the younger man was thinking. “As much as I may seem like an aging, incorrigible rake, and admittedly in many ways I am, I have a fondness for Judith that has nothing to do with my disreputable reputation regarding women. I feel affection for her that is no less than that which I would feel for a member of my own family.”
Gideon raised a brow. “Like a daughter?”
“Good Lord, no.” Thornecroft shuddered. “I have watched the fathers of daughters and I have no wish to experience that hell.” He nodded thoughtfully. “More like a niece.”
“I am honored, Frederick.” Judith reached up and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “And you are my favorite uncle.”
“I thought you would be here to night.” A tall, blond woman stepped up behind Judith.
Judith stiffened almost imperceptibly but Gideon noticed. She forced a smile to her face and turned to greet the newcomer. “Good evening, Alexandra. I had no idea you were interested in orchids.”
The blond smiled in a pleasant manner that nonetheless struck Gideon as anything but pleasant. “What ever interests you, sister dear, interests me.”
Sister?
“Good evening, Miss Chester,” Lord Thornecroft said in a manner too polite to be considered curt.
Miss Chester?
“If you will excuse me, I see someone I have been meaning to speak with.” The earl cast Judith an encouraging smile, then glanced at Gideon. “I leave Lady Chester in your capable hands.” His gaze met Gideon’s and there was a distinct warning there. Gideon wasn’t entirely sure if it was in reference to Miss Chester or to Judith. Probably both. After all, the man did think of Judith as a niece.
“Lecherous old goat,” Miss Chester muttered.
“Not at all,” Judith said staunchly. “He is a very kind man.”
Miss Chester sniffed in disdain and turned to Gideon. “And you are?”
“My lord, may I present my sister-in-law,” Judith said. “Miss Alexandra Chester. Alexandra, this is Viscount Warton.”
“A very great plea sure to meet you, Miss Chester.” Gideon took her offered hand. He wasn’t at all sure why, but he didn’t like this woman. She was pretty enough, a few years older than Judith, her hair a paler blond, taller and much more slender, but there was something in her manner and in her eye that made Gideon distinctly uneasy. He brushed a kiss across the back of her hand and released it. She, however, did not release his.
“You’re Judith’s friend, aren’t you?” She studied him curiously.
“I consider myself a friend, yes,” Gideon said coolly.
“Are you with friends this evening, Alexandra?” Judith said quickly.
“Lucian wouldn’t have liked him, Judith.” Miss Chester’s gaze slipped over Gideon in an assessing manner.
Gideon raised a brow. “Oh?”
“He is entirely too handsome.” Miss Chester shook her head. “Lucian wouldn’t have liked him at all.”
“Alexandra,” Judith said sharply.
Miss Chester released his hand and trailed her fingers over his shoulder. He resisted the urge to shrug her away. “His shoulders are quite impressive. Lucian would have been envious.” Her gaze met his. “Is that a trick of your tailor or are your shoulders really that broad?”
“That’s quite enough,” Judith snapped.
“One can never have too good a tailor,” Gideon said smoothly.
“Alexandra.” A warning sounded in Judith’s voice.
“I’m having fun, Judith. His Lordship understands perfectly well that I am teasing. Do not begrudge me that much.” Miss Chester smiled suggestively at Gideon, then turned to Judith. “You have not been to see me since Christmas Eve.”
“I have been remiss. My apologies.” Judith’s voice was cool and unemotional.
“Will you come soon?” It was a command more than a request. “Tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure.” Judith studied the other woman. “Is there a problem?”
Miss Chester glanced at Gideon. “She pays me, you know.”
“I provide Alexandra with an allowance which is adequate for her needs,” Judith said.
“In truth, it’s exorbitant and far more than I deserve. And yet”—Miss Chester shrugged—“I have no idea where it goes.”
Judith smiled in a remote manner. “Are you alone or did you accompany friends here tonight?”
“You’ve already asked that. I wouldn’t have come here on my own even to see you. I am with friends. I have a great number of friends, Judith,” her sister-in-law said sharply. “I do not sit in that house by myself all day, you know.”
“Of course not, Miss Chester. I am certain Lady Chester did not mean to imply that you did.” Gideon favored her with his most charming smile. “However, your friends might well be missing you by now.”
“Probably.” She huffed, then smiled in a wicked manner. “I’m quite mad, you know.”
“You are not,” Judith snapped. “Simply maddening.”
“Well, if I can’t be mad, maddening shall have to do.” She eyed Gideon. “Don’t you agree, my lord?”
“You seem neither mad nor maddening to me,” Gideon said gallantly even though Miss Chester did indeed appear both.
“Really? I shall have to try harder then.” Miss Chester glanced at her sister-in-law. “I shall see you soon, Judith.”
“I shall look forward to it,” Judith murmured.
Gideon watched Miss Chester make her way through the crowd. “She doesn’t seem to like you,” he said in a low voice. “And you don’t seem overly fond of her.”
“She hasn’t liked me from the moment I first met her brother. It would have been lovely to have had a sister. I tried very hard to become her friend.” Judith shrugged. “Afterward it scarcely mattered.” She slanted him a wry glance. “One gets used to being disliked, you know.”
“Yet you support her,” he said slowly.
“Her brother made no provision for her in the case of his death. She had no inheritance, no prospects for marriage, and no money of her own.” Judith’s gaze returned to her sister-in-law’s retreating figure. “I would have supported her regardless.”
“Regardless?”
Judith hesitated. “Of her dislike for me.”
“The way she speaks of her brother…” He knew full well Judith did not want to speak of her husband or marriage, yet this was an opportunity to learn something that he did not wish to pass up. “She seems very protective.” Or possessive. “Was she older than he?”
“Worse.” Judith’s gaze met his. “She was his twin.”
“That certainly explains a great deal.”
“More than you know,” Judith muttered. She drew a deep breath and smiled up at him. A twinkle shone in her eye, and he knew at once the topic was closed. “An explorer?”
“I was very young. You mustn’t hold it against me.”
“I don’t hold it against you at all. I think it’s quite enlightening.” She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “With any luck at all we can rediscover the explorer you wished to be as a child.”
“That would be an adventure.” He grinned. “And at least I have managed to provide you with one surprise to night.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Perhaps, later this evening, I can provide you with a surprise of my own.”
“I’ve never been one for surprises but”—he chuckled—“I am willing to keep an open mind.”
In spite of her lighthearted manner, and whatever delights she had in mind for later to night, Judith was suspiciously quiet on the drive to her house. Gideon decided it was best to leave her to her own thoughts. Besides, she had probably already said more than she had intended. And there were any number of things he wished to consider himself.
It had been an evening of surprises thus far although not at all what he had intended. Indeed, most of the surprises had been for him. He had known Judith had a sister-in-law, but Alexandra Chester was not at all what he would have expected. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen hate before but it was surely hate that glimmered in Miss Chester’s eyes when she looked at Judith. The woman was clearly dangerous, and Gideon vowed to himself he would do what ever was in his power to protect Judith.
Miss Chester was definitely a surprise but no more so than the revelation of Judith’s horticultural expertise. Simply by virtue of the extent of her conservatory he had known she was no dilettante dabbling in growing pretty flowers. But the extent of her knowledge and, more, the respect shown that knowledge by others to night, was not merely surprising but something of a shock. He had sadly underestimated her. There was far more to Judith Chester than he had ever imagined. A lesser man, perhaps a less arrogant man, would have been intimidated by Judith’s intellect and her position in the rarefied community he had observed to night. Gideon was not the least bit intimidated. Rather, he was proud. Proud to be seen with her, proud to have her on his arm for however long that might be. It struck him as well that he hoped that would be for a very long time.
A Little Bit Wicked Page 12