An Indecent Charade: Letitia's After Dark Regency Romance

by Alicia Quigley

  They set off, Eynsford driving at a brisk pace through the London traffic. Chisholm watched him in silence for some minutes.

  “If you’re not wanting to be recognized, sir,” he ventured, “you oughtn’t to be driving yourself. You have a singular way with horses and these greys are downright famous.”

  “I am aware of that,” said Eynsford. “Nothing, however, will convince me to ride in a hackney carriage if I am not compelled to do so. Moreover, what makes you think I do not care to be recognized?”

  Chisholm laughed. “There’s no other reason I can think that you’d be wearing that suit,” he said.

  “It just so happens that there is only one person I am attempting to deceive,” said the marquess. “As for the rest of the world, I really do not care what it thinks.”

  Kensington Gardens was reached without incident, and again the marquess abandoned his curricle and groom to stroll about the grounds. It was not long before he spotted Lady Morgan and her children. The children were chasing one another about and Letitia sat on a nearby bench, doing some stitchery and watching them with a smile. Phillip watched for some moments and then stepped forward.

  “Good afternoon, Lady Morgan,” he said.

  She gave a little start and then turned towards him, a smile forming on her cupid bow lips. “Mr. Markham!” she said. “How very pleasant to see you again. You will find that you were right; Emily took no harm the other day.”

  “She seems to be perfectly well,” he said. “I am glad.”

  “She has forgotten all about the accident,” observed Letitia. “It would be pleasant if unhappy occurrences later in life could be dismissed as easily.”

  “It would indeed,” agreed Eynsford. “I hope that, outside of the sad death of your husband, you do not have many memories you would care to dismiss.”

  He was surprised to see a touch of humor creep into Letitia’s eyes. “Not many,” she said. “For even the worst memories only serve to remind me that I am happy now.” She looked up at him. “Won’t you sit down?” she asked.

  “Thank you,” said the Marquess. He seated himself gingerly on the bench, realizing as he did so that he truly had no idea how a solicitor might treat a lady of much higher rank. Happily for him, Letitia had never experienced such a circumstance either.

  “What brings you to Kensington again, Mr. Markham?” she asked. “Surely your business keeps you busy in London?”

  “I have an invalid client here,” lied Eynsford with abandon. “He is attempting to set his affairs in order, and so I must visit him often. I sometimes take the time to stroll in the Gardens afterwards.”

  “It is very peaceful here,” said Letitia. “I find it more pleasant than the bustle of London, though it is, of course, far less exciting. But just now I do not need much excitement in my life.”

  “But surely you miss the world you are a part of?” Phillip asked. “I must presume a lady such as you would customarily attend balls, the theater, the opera...do you not care for these activities?”

  “Oh, very much,” was the surprising reply. “I love to dance and to visit...but at present it seems as though it is too much effort.” She laughed. “You will think I am very silly.”

  “On the contrary, I think you make perfect sense. Simply because one enjoys something does not mean that one wishes to do it all the time,” said Phillip.

  “Exactly!” said Letitia. “How clever of you to put it so simply. I love to dance, but I do not care to dance today. Which is just as well,” she added with a smile, “as I am in mourning and it would be quite improper.”

  “And certainly the park is no place to be dancing,” said Eynsford.

  “Indeed. I will have to postpone my dancing to another day.”

  A small silence fell, but there was no awkwardness between them. They watched the children play for some moments and then James ran up, recognizing his friend.

  “Mr. Markham!” he said. “I am sorry I have no ball today or we could play again.”

  “What a pity,” said the Marquess. “However, I will doubtless see you again, if your mother permits.”

  “May we, Mama?” asked Jamie of his mother.

  “Certainly, dear. But you must not tease Mr. Markham. He is a busy man and may not always have time for you.”

  “He does not bother me, ma’am,” said Eynsford. “He is a splendid lad.”

  “I hope so,” said Letitia, as Jamie ran back to his sister. “I worry at times, as his father is dead, as well as his grandparents. I have few relatives, and those I have I do not find...congenial. I wish Jamie had a true gentleman to model himself after.”

  “Perhaps you will marry again,” Phillip responded gently.

  “Perhaps,” said Letitia, “but I have no ambition for it. I am afraid my choice of a husband was not a good one, and I would not like to make the same mistake again.”

  “It is unfortunate that your husband was not a good man,” replied Eynsford. “But surely you do not believe that all men are the same.”

  “Oh, I do not,” said Letitia. “I know at least one very charming gentleman whom I trust implicitly. It is my instincts I do not trust.”

  “You are clearly wiser than you were when you first married,” said the marquess. “You must trust yourself, my lady.”

  “You are probably right,” agreed Letitia. “I do not always have confidence in my decisions. And yet, I think those I have made recently have been good ones. Perhaps I am becoming better at this.”

  Phillip gave her a charming smile and Letitia could not help reacting to his astonishing physical beauty. She felt her heartbeat quicken and had to drag her gaze from his handsome face and magnetic blue eyes.

  “I think that you make excellent decisions, Lady Morgan,” he said. “Your decision to walk in the park today, for instance, which gave me the opportunity to meet you again, is a fine example.”

  “How nonsensical you are,” said Letitia. “And how kind. I am very pleased that we have met.”

  “As am I,” said the Marquess. “Your children appear to be tiring. May I escort you home?”

  Letitia hesitated, glancing at the children. Emily was clearly worn out and inclined to be cranky.

  “I could carry Emily, if you wished,” offered Eynsford. “She looks as though she would not care to walk and she must be far too heavy for you.”

  “Thank you,” said Letitia. “That would be helpful.”

  The group soon was organized and walked towards the entrance to the park, the Marquess carrying the peevish Emily, Letitia holding James’ hand, and the nursemaid following behind, rather bemused at the sudden reappearance of the fine gentleman dressed in such odd clothing. She wondered what game he might be playing, but reckoned it was none of her affair. Chisholm saw them as he walked the horses near the gates, and whistled softly to himself.

  “So that’s his game,” he said quietly.

  Chapter 16

  At the door to her house, Letitia paused. What a very pleasant and remarkably handsome man, she thought. So unaffected and friendly. She had previously had no idea that solicitors were so gallant. “Thank you for your assistance,” she said. “Would you care for some tea?”

  Eynsford hesitated momentarily, reflecting that a solicitor would be unlikely to accept such an invitation. But the desire to know Letitia better overwhelmed his common sense. “If it would not be too much trouble, I would enjoy that,” he answered instead.

  Letitia greeted his acceptance with a warm smile. “I’m pleased to have the company,” she said confidingly as they entered the house. “The children will be taking their naps, and I can only read so many novels in a week!”

  She handed Emily to the maid. “See that tea is brought to the parlor,” she said. “Jamie, go with Violet now.”

  The maid departed with one last incredulous look, Jamie in tow, and Letitia led Eynsford into her charmingly decorated parlor. The room was furnished simply but elegantly, and the blue draperies set off Letitia’s coloring adm
irably. She seated herself on a satin-covered chair and indicated the settee across from her.

  “Please, sit down,” she said.

  Phillip did so, wondering precisely how a solicitor would behave in a gentlewoman’s parlor. He had a fair idea of how the Marquess of Eynsford might handle having tea with an extremely attractive widow, but he was uncertain if Letitia would appreciate the flirtation that would necessarily involve.

  “Do tell me about your work,” invited Letitia. “I’m afraid I know very little about legal affairs. The only solicitor I have any acquaintance with is Mr. Askworth, who is of great help to my friend, Lady Exencour. Do you know him?”

  “I have not had that pleasure, though I do know his name. I believe he is well respected,” responded Eynsford.

  “I’m sure he is. He is very kind, and once tried to help me out of my difficulties,” said Letitia.

  “What a pity that you experienced troubles,” he sympathized. “A lady as beautiful as you should live a life of serenity.”

  Letty blushed slightly, but laughed. “The last few years have been decidedly not serene,” she said. “But there are doubtless others with worse difficulties, and now I find myself quite happy, here in my own little house.”

  “If you should ever again be in need of assistance, please know that you can turn to me,” Eynsford said quietly. He realized with a start that he meant the words. If Letitia ever needed anything, he would do his best to make sure she had it.

  “You’re very kind,” said Letitia. “Ah, the tea is here.”

  The maid staggered in bearing a tea set that Isobel had foisted on Letitia, as the Strancaster family had more silver than could be counted. She placed it on the table, and paused, giving Letitia an inquiring glance.

  “Thank you, Nellie,” said Letitia. “You may go.”

  The maid trailed out of the room, and Letitia poured her visitor a cup of tea. He watched with pleasure as her slender hand held it out to him.

  “Thank you, Lady Morgan,” he said.

  “You will think me very silly for asking you to stay for tea,” said Letitia. “But I wished to thank you for your kindness to James.”

  “You have no need to thank me,” responded Phillip. “I enjoy his company—and yours.”

  A touch of color tinged Letitia’s cheeks, but she did not seem to be unhappy with the compliment as she poured herself some tea.

  “I am not used to entertaining gentlemen,” she said gently. “Lady Exencour is my most frequent visitor.”

  “Ah, but then, I am not a gentleman, but merely a solicitor,” fibbed Eynsford cheerfully. “So you need have no concerns on that front. I beg that you treat me simply as a friend.”

  Letty peeked up at him and then dimpled. “I have to confess that your not being a member of the ton adds to my pleasure in your company,” she said. “And I would never turn away a friend; I have found over the past months how valuable they are.”

  “I would be honored if you would include me among them,” he answered. Phillip paused, remembering that Mr. Markham was hardly on the same social level as Lady Morgan. “I hope you do not find me presumptuous--” he began, but Letty cut him off.

  “Please, let us not have any nonsense of that sort,” she said. “All that matters to me is that you are kind and trustworthy.”

  Eynsford looked down into his cup of tea, feeling slightly ashamed. But it was not the right time to reveal himself. Lady Morgan was so relaxed and happy that he did not wish to ruin the moment.

  The conversation moved to more general topics, and Phillip was astonished to realize a full hour had passed. For her part, Letty was delighted to find that the handsome young lawyer was so witty and seemed to possess a thorough knowledge of issues far outside the narrow confines of the law.

  Eynsford finally put down his teacup reluctantly and stood. “I should be going,” he said. “I have —some papers to draw up for my client.”

  Letitia stood as well, slightly shame-faced. “It was selfish of me to keep you here chatting,” she said. “I forgot you are not a gentleman of leisure.”

  “The pleasure was mine, ma’am,” said his lordship, bowing deeply. He took Letty’s hand in his, and held it a moment, enchanted by its softness. When she did not pull it away, he glanced at her face, and was surprised to see her flush, though she returned his gaze bravely.

  Without thinking, he stepped forward, still holding her hand. Letitia did not flinch, though her breath came a bit more quickly. He was very handsome, she thought again, and so sure of himself, despite his aura of gentleness. Though relatively inexperienced, she had seen enough during her Season in London to know when a man found her attractive. Would it be so very dreadful, she wondered, to encourage Mr. Markham to act on something he clearly wanted?

  Slowly Phillip reached up with his other hand and touched her cheek, his long fingers caressing it, then sliding down to cup her chin. He smiled slightly. He too knew, far better than Letitia did, when there was an attraction between a man and a woman. Lady Morgan, whether she knew it clearly or not, wanted him.

  Slowly, giving her time to draw back, he raised her chin and leaned towards her, until his lips met hers. Phillip watched Letitia’s clear blue eyes flutter closed, noting the tiny blue veins on her fragile eyelids, and somewhat to his surprise, closed his eyes as well, sinking into the moment. Her soft, full lips trembled slightly under his as he brushed his mouth slowly and gently over hers, before pressing more firmly against them while allowing his hand to drop from her chin, to reach around her waist, as he moved to clasp her against himself.

  Stepping forward, Phillip pressed one leg very slightly against Letitia, as he pulled her closer, spreading his fingers across her back to hold her against his muscular chest. At the same time he ran his tongue across her lips, inviting her to open to him, which she did after a slight hesitation. Eynsford found himself breathing harder as he slanted his mouth against Letty’s to gain better access to the sweetness within, his tongue invading the soft sensitive cavern to tangle gently with hers. Just as his other hand began instinctively to move lower, seeking to press her hips against his stirring loins, he realized that here was a woman who had been damaged by her dead husband, and thought of him not as a much sought after man about town, but a respectable solicitor.

  Slightly shaken by how close had come to forgetting himself, Phillip slowly lifted his lips from Letitia’s and while keeping her in his arms, moved a half pace away from her, looking down with a gentle smile, as she opened her eyes.

  Letitia smiled in return, slightly dazed, but then pulled back, looking uneasy. Eynsford released her and stepped away, his breath still coming quickly. A brief glance at her face told him that, while she might be overwhelmed, she was not unhappy that he had kissed her.

  “I apologize, Lady Morgan,” he said softly. “I should not have done that. I can only plead that I succumbed to your beauty and charm.”

  Letty paused, not quite sure what to say. “There is no need to apologize, Mr. Markham,” she answered hesitantly. “I am not offended.”

  “Then you would not be upset if you encountered me in the park again?” he asked softly.

  “No, not at all,” she answered. “That would be lovely.”

  Eynsford took her hand in his again and kissed her fingertips, and then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. He took his hat from the maid, who gave him a knowing look, then strode to the park and located his curricle, only to find his groom sizing him up with a jaundiced eye.

  “Have I offended you, Chisholm?” he asked sweetly.

  “You’re in deep waters now, sir,” responded Chisholm dourly. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but I don’t like it.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I saw the lady sir, aye, and the children,” said Chisholm. “She isn’t one of your ladybirds, she’s Quality. I don’t like it at all.”

  “Your approval is not called for,” said the Marquess. “All that is required is that yo
u hold your tongue.”

  As though I would say anything, sir!” Chisholm was offended. “You know you can trust me.”

  “I am counting on that,” said Eynsford, “for we will be coming here again.”

  Chisholm pursed his lips, but vouchsafed no answer. With an amused glance at his groom, Phillip turned the curricle towards London. Despite his calm demeanor, his mind was far from tranquil. How had he been so foolish as to kiss Lady Morgan, and what was he to make of her lack of distress after he did so? He had no doubts that she was an innocent; there was nothing of the coquette in her actions or speech, and her response, while charming, had been tentative and shy. He very much doubted she had kissed any man but her husband. He knew that, even dressed in simple clothing and lacking his title, he cut a dashing figure, but he very much doubted that that was of great importance to Lady Morgan.

  More than anything else, he wondered why he had succumbed to temptation himself. He did not have the excuse of inexperience; he was famous for his amours, conducted honorably, if not always discreetly. The women he dallied with knew the score perfectly; some months of pleasure and enjoyment, followed by an extravagant farewell gift and fond memories. He doubted Lady Morgan understood the rules of that game.

  He swore under his breath as he maneuvered his curricle around a haywain, barely slowing his horses. The best idea was simply not to return to Kensington. But when he thought of the feel of Letitia’s lips under his, he knew that Mr. Markham would be making another appearance, and soon.

  Letitia stood staring blankly at the door after Mr. Markham’s departure. At first she felt a rush of embarrassment that she had allowed, no, positively encouraged him to kiss her. But then a sense of defiance flooded through her. She was a widow, and a widow who had not had a husband worth mourning.

  Why should she not enjoy the admiration of a handsome, pleasant man? There were dozens of women of the ton who amused themselves in ways far more shocking; even Isobel had engaged in a liaison with Francis before they were wed. Why should Letitia not enjoy the pleasure of a gentleman’s company? And Mr. Markham was ideal: he was charming, and amusing, and completely unknown to her friends and relations. She folded her arms defiantly. If Mr. Markham returned, she would not turn him away.