London, Julia - The Perfect Stranger

by Radha

  He joined his wife on the sofa. Arthur took the chair next to Kerry and winked covertly before draining what was left in his glass and handing it to Max.

  Mrs. McKinnon, please tell Adrian of Glenbaden. It sounds simply divine from your description, Lady Albright asked.

  Describe Glenbaden. It wasnt enough that she felt awkward and out of place here, in this house in this room. How could she describe Glenbaden? She hardly knew where to begin, how one could possibly describe the purple hue of the heather, or the blue morning mists, or the dark green hills that seemed to touch the sky. How did she convey the familiarity of that glen, the deep connection to the land or the sense of clan she had shared with all who lived there?

  Its too beautiful to describe, really, Arthur said. He had read her mind. Surprised, Kerry looked at him; Arthur smiled. Would you mind terribly if I attempted to describe it? he asked, and not waiting for an answer, turned his attention to the Albrights. The first thing one learns about Scotland is that she has her own special stars. If you were to lie in the heather under a full moon, the stars are so close that you might swear they lay upon your very face. And the moonah God, the moon! I have never seen one so bright or so large as in that glen. Its amazing, really, remarkably tranquil, and the colors of the morning are rich, purer than you can possibly imagine

  Overwhelmed with surprise and emotion, Kerry sat mutely, watching Arthurs expressive face as he spoke of Glenbaden. It was inconceivable to her that he could describe the Scotland that lived in her heart, how he might have, in the short time he was there, grasped and absorbed the very essence of it. The improbable, impossible sensation struck her that she had known Arthur all her life, the feeling that something more connected them than the few weeks they had spent in Glenbaden.

  The sensation grew stronger over supper, as Arthur recounted the story of their first meeting and the incredible journey through the Highlands she had inadvertently taken them on. It touched her to learn that he had been so uncertain of what he was doingshe had thought him so capable, had been duly impressed that he never seemed to take a false step. She laughed with the Albrights when he described his first meeting with the Richey brothers, then sobered quietly when he spoke of how the first sight of Glenbaden had taken his breath away. Even Thomashe spoke fondly of Thomas, capturing his character so very well that an invisible band tightened around Kerrys heart.

  His conversation kept everyones rapt attention, so that the Albrights did not notice that she didnt know which utensil to use, or which wine to take with her meal. Confounded by the array of dishes and glasses, it wasnt until hours later that Kerry realized he had managed to omit the reason they were in Longbridge altogether.

  By the time they had adjourned to the salon again, Kerrys love for him had expanded ten fathoms deeper into her soul.

  Arthur thought they would never escape Adrians watchful eye or Lillianas cheerful banter. Not that he wasnt terribly pleased to see them both, but he had been wholly unprepared for the sight of Kerry and his bodys corporeal reaction to her. From the moment she had floated across the threshold on a cloud of blue silk, he had been deliriously enchanted.

  She was stunningly beautiful in that gown; it seemed especially tailored for her, fitting perfectly to every lovely curve. And he had been astonished at how easily she moved in such finery, how she seemed almost born of the haute ton. He wanted to hold the image in his arms, devour the bare skin of her shoulders with his lips, feel her body beneath the rich fabric then and there.

  He had only endured the interminable supper by monopolizing the conversation. Afterward, when they had gathered in the gold salon once again for port, he had managed to pass the hour by simply gazing at Kerry as she spoke with that soft, intoxicating voice of hers about her family and school days in Edinburgh.

  When Arthur was certain the Albrights had wrung every bit of useful information from her, he thought he would go quite mad, and was thinking how exactly the two of them might take their leave of their hosts when Max appeared announcing a messenger from London in the study. Arthur had never heard more welcome news in his life.

  At this hour? Lilliana exclaimed, and stood with Adrian.

  I can attest to the impassable roads, poor chap, Arthur remarked.

  Best see what it is about. If you will excuse me, Mrs. McKinnon, Adrian said to Kerry, and began striding across the salon, Lilliana on his heels. The moment the door closed, Arthur leapt to his feet and grabbed Kerrys hand. She fairly bounced to her feet when he tugged on her arm, and he quickly put his hand to the small of her back and steered her toward the door at the opposite end of the salon.

  What are you doing? she asked. Arthur threw a finger to his lips, carefully opened the door, and glanced furtively up and down the corridor.

  They were quite alone.

  He caught Kerrys arm, turned her into his body as he pushed her against the mahogany door.

  Arthur! she exclaimed through a luscious smile. He captured that smile with his lips, one hand snaking around her hips and pressing her against him. Her lips were like nectar, teasing him with the promise of her mouth and body

  His head snapped back with the surprise of a sharp pain in his shin; he caught a groan in his throat.

  Are you insane? Kerry whispered frantically, and shoved hard against his chest.

  One cannot help out wonder, he muttered, still grimacing at the pain in his shin. But she did have a pointit would not do to tumble her in the salon with the door wide open. So he grabbed her hand and yanked her into the corridor, pulling her along in his wake as he marched in the opposite direction of the study, forcing her to keep up with him as he rounded the corner for the terrace sitting room.

  He went a little too quickly through the French doors leading into the sitting room and crashed his shoulder into the doorframe. Kerry laughed a breathless, anxious laugh fraught with anticipation. In a whisper, Arthur urged her to be quiet and to hurry.

  Hurry to where? she insisted in an equally urgent whisper.

  To the gardens, love, he said, as if that was understood, when in fact he had no idea where he was going. He only knew that he had to have her in his arms and for what he intended to do to her once there, he needed privacy.

  They stumbled into the gardens, running down the gravel path with their arms entwined with one another, trying to keep their laughter from spilling into the cold night air. They ran until Arthur spied the gazebo. He had forgotten that Adrian had built one to rival the grandest gazebos in all of England, and in particular, his fathers. At the time, he had thought it a foolish expense. At the moment, he thought it a very wise investment. He pulled Kerry into his side and hastened his step; the two of them clambered up the steps of the gazebo and fairly burst inside.

  They came to an abrupt and breathless halt. The gazebo obviously was used quite often; it still bore the remnants of a recent picnic, visible in the light of the moon that shone through one open window. A bench circled around the entire room, cushioned with green-and-white-striped pillows. A blanket and two books were stacked neatly on the bench directly under the south awnings; a small brazier, recently used, nearby. A wicker chair had also been pulled inside, and in it was a china plate, obviously missed by the servants who had picked up after the picnic.

  Kerry slipped from Arthurs embrace and walked into the middle of the gazebo. Its beautiful. She turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder at Arthur. Ive not seen such luxury, Arthur. I wouldna have believed a gazebo could be so beautiful.

  I shall tell you about beautiful, darling, he said softly. You are the most beautiful sight I think Ive ever seen. You astound me with it.

  Kerry smiled and glanced down at her gown. Lady Albright gave this to me. She said it was too small

  There will be more, many more just like it, in every conceivable color, he said, walking slowly toward her. Whatever your heart desires.

  She glanced up. Pardon?

  You deserve the very best. I shall endeavor to give you just that.

&nb
sp; Arthur, she said, laughing a little. I think you must have drunk more of that whiskey than I know. You speak nonsense now.

  Do I? he asked, reaching for her. Why shouldnt you have the very best, Kerry? I can afford to give it to you.

  Oh aye, that is very fine, eh? And what do you think I should do with such fine gowns in Scotland?

  Scotland? he echoed, momentarily confused by the scent of lavender on her skin. He bent his head, brushed his nose against her bare neck.

  Aye, Scotland. Where I live, or have you forgotten your pretty speech of it?

  Arthur lifted his head. You cant go back to Scotland, have you forgotten that?

  Kerry instantly reared back, but Arthur caught her before she could pull away. Its not safe for you there.

  No, not now, that I know, she stammered, her luminous blue eyes wildly roaming his chest. But eventually I shall return.

  Why?

  Why? she fairly shouted. I am a Scot, Arthur, or have you not noticed the burr in my voice? I canna live in England forever! What would I do?

  The conversation was starting to annoy him. All he had wanted to do was make love to her, not discuss the future, blurry as it was. It can wait, he murmured soothingly. There is nothing we can resolve tonight. Would you waste this moon? She looked toward the railing, where the moonlight was spilling onto the bench. I would gather it up and carry it in my pocket if I could, he said, bending to nuzzle her neck again. And I should take it out every time I wanted to recall how beautiful you looked this night.

  Kerry sighed then, kissed his cheek, and Arthur felt himself spiraling down into the clutches of earnest desire once again.

  They made love on the cushioned bench, the blue silk gown bunched carelessly around her waist. They moved languidly with one another, neither wanting to rush the moment or the moonlight. When Kerry at last closed her eyes and moaned, Arthur felt her body tighten around him felt his love for her score his heart, mark it with everything that was Kerry.

  Long afterward, when the chill of the night air began to overtake the warmth they had shared, they stole into the house, giggling like children as they hurried down the long corridor, shoes in one hand, clasping one another with the other. At the top of the grand staircase, Arthur kissed her fully and deeply, unwilling to let go, now or ever. But Kerry at last forced him awake by playfully biting his lip.

  Ouch! he exclaimed, and watched through something of a haze as Kerry scampered down the corridor to her suite. When her door had shut quietly behind her, he turned slowly and reluctantly headed in the opposite direction.

  He dreamed of their lovemaking that night, of her above him on the bench of the gazebo, her eyes a watery shade of blue, glistening with her pleasure as she reached her climax. And then Phillip appeared, strolling in a circle around the gazebo. The moon sent a shaft of eerie light through the hole in his chest when he passed the western facade. With his hands clasped behind his back, Phillip shook his blond head again and again. Arthur, lad, he whispered sadly. What is it you do?

  Arthur came up out of the dream with a bad start; perspiration pasted the linen nightshirt to his back. He sat up, stared at the glass-paned window. When, Phillip? he muttered, and thrust his hands through his hair. When will you at last sleep in peace?

  Chapter Nineteen

  In the early afternoon the next day, Lillianashe had adamantly insisted that Kerry address her sodragged Kerry to the orangery to show her where she painted. As Lilliana proudly showed each of her paintings, Kerry began to see a glimpse of a past that could have been Arthursidyllic paintings of languid picnics, hunting, and May Day games. There were portraits of the Albright ancestors, dressed formally in sashes and coronets and heavy rings.

  There was one in particular, however, that caught her attention. Kerry gaped at the painting of four men. She recognized Arthur and Adrian right away; Arthur standing with one foot propped on a large stone, Adrian with his hat in his hand. She assumed the taller, black-headed man standing behind them was Julian Dane. And the handsome blond man kneeling in front, his arm lazily propped on one knee, had to be Phillip.

  The Rogues of Regent Street, Lilliana said proudly.

  Who? Kerry asked.

  Lilliana blinked. Who? she echoed, and when Kerry confessed she had never heard that name, Lilliana eagerly sat her in a cushioned wicker chair near a bank of fioor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the northern meadows and launched into a tale of four young men who had met at Eton and had grown to men together. Kerry was not surprised to hear thisArthur had told her the same thing. But what she was surprised to hear was exactly how they had come to be known as Rogues, and more significantly, apparently, the four infamous Rogues of Regent Street.

  Spellbound by the tale, Kerry sat on the edge of the chair, hanging on every word that fell from Lillianas lips. She blushed when Lilliana whispered the roots of their reputationcomplete with names, and in some cases, actual dates. She held her breath when Lilliana spoke conspiratorially of the half-dozen fracases the four of them had started, engaged in, or ended at what sounded like bawdy gatherings in London.

  But she sagged into the chair with emotion when Lilliana told her of the death of Phillip. Naturally, Arthur had referred to Phillip, just as he had referred to all of them at one time or another. But she had noticed something was different when he spoke of Phillip, she had sensed a deep sorrow in him. Now she understood; now she felt that sorrow a little herself.

  When she had finished, Lilliana glanced at the painting. This is to be a surprise for Adrian, but I confess, Ive no idea when to give it to him. He still carries such guilt over Phillips death, yet he misses him terribly. I pray one day he will be at peace with what Phillip did. She looked at Kerry again. What do you think? Do you like it? I took each likeness from other paintings and arranged them as if they had posed together. I had a deuce of a time finding a portrait of Phillip, however but Adrians brother, Benedict, found this one at Kealing Park and had it delivered to me. I think he is rather young, dont you?

  Oh, he was young, all right. Far too young to have frozen in time forever this face, this smile. Kerry gazed at the portrait, at the smiling eyes beneath the blond curls, and wondered what had gone so terribly wrong that he would seek to end his life. She looked at the other three men, all looking terribly relaxed and jovial, with the exception of the stern Lord Albright. They were four men whose lives had grown and stretched around one another like vines of ivy until one could not tell where one ended and the other began, all inextricably tied to one another and to Phillip.

  No wonder Arthur had set out to Scotland as he hadin a moment of clarion vision, Kerry suddenly realized that the journey to Scotland had as much to do with Arthurs life as it had Phillips.

  And she couldnt help but wonder, standing there in the orangery of Longbridge, if he had found what he was looking for.

  Arthur was in grand spirits as he dressed for supper in another set of Albrights finest coats and trousers. Having politely refused the services of Adrians valethe thought taking his clothes and his valet a bit muchhe hummed as he wrapped the neckcloth around his collar. The return to Longbridge had been so easy, much easier than he had anticipated. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror above the basin, recalling their inglorious arrival. He should have known his old friend would accept him and Kerry without qualification.

  And it was precisely that acceptance that held Arthur in such good spirits. If Adrian Spence of all people could accept Kerry into his home so readily, then so too could his friends and family in London. Of course they would! They would hardly refuse him entry, and if accepting him meant including Kerry, they would not dare object. It was so simple, really, he wondered why he hadnt realized it before now. Now he was rather anxious to return to London. Lately, he had begun to worry about his business interests; there was much to be done, not the least of which was finding good counsel in the matter of Moncrieffes death, should the need arise.

  Even that ugly incident had seemed to fade with their arrival at
Longbridge. Kerry was as genteel as he had ever seen her; had he not known from where she hailed, he would have thought her a lady of the country, quite accustomed to quiet days and leisurely evenings. Even more encouraging to him was that she and Lilliana seemed to have formed a fast friendship. It gave him great hope that similar friendships could be forged among the ton in spite of her less than acceptable background.

  But his smile faded as he slowly finished tying his neckcloth. Thoughts had been whirling around his head the last few days, thoughts that were disturbing him, stirring the deep waters of his soul. His pleasure at seeing how easily she adapted to her surroundings continued to translate into thoughts of the future, of Kerry by his side, of home and children and growing old together.

  Arthur groaned, exasperated with himself. That simply wasnt possible. Was it? No! He could never justify such a marriage, and Lord knew his family would not sanction it. Yes, well then, what exactly did he intend? The shadowy thought of a mistress flitted briefly into his consciousness, but he dismissed the notion immediately. He loved Kerry; he could not bear to ask such a thing of her.

  Then what?

  With his palm, Arthur smoothed his newly trimmed hair. Then what?

  He turned and strode across the room, ignoring his conscience, pushing down the inevitable question to its proper place. He would think of an answer sometime soon, but not now. Now, he would tell Kerry that they were to London in two days time. Really, there were more immediate dilemmas. As he strode down the corridor to the gold salon, he crushed the small, niggling thought that perhaps there was no answer to the question of then what?

  At least none that he would ever accept.

  Kerry somehow managed to make her way through supper, thankful once again that the Albrights and Arthur were engaged in a lively discussion of places and people that were foreign to her, something to do with a debut. She felt terribly out of place, longed for Mays simple stews instead of the plates of artfully arranged foods she could not name.