Bemused, Reese entered the drawing room. What was the Earl about, to touch her like that? Ellen had mentioned that he was promiscuous, what they called in this time as being in the petticoat line. Did he think she might fall for his flirtation and jump into his bed?
Fat chance. She resented that the Earl’s tender touch had made her think of Jem. Two men messing with her head, one a skirt-chaser and the other . . . What was Jem? She gave herself a mental shake. It didn’t matter what he was. She would never make the mistake her mother had.
Reese entered the drawing room. The Earl’s female guests exchanged glances that came close to eye rolls, so she went to a chair near the French doors that led out to the gardens. She wished she could go out there and work off some of her frustration. The men had taken to using the fencing room, so she hadn’t dared go there, even in the early morning hours.
She picked up a book, but she wasn’t in the mood for reading. She checked the clock. Maybe, when the gentlemen joined them, she would excuse herself on the pretense of going to bed. She glanced outside. It was dark enough that if she chose to use the farthest section of lawn, near the trees, no one from the house should be able to see her.
It brought to mind the night she and Jem had worked out together. She clenched her jaw, as though sheer will could force him from her thoughts. She had been doing so well too. Why was he on her mind so much tonight?
The men finally joined them. The ladies made some suggestions for the evening’s activities, and Ellen came over to Reese.
“Are you well?” she asked.
“Just worried about one of the tenants,” Reese said.
“I miss your company,” Ellen said. “I fear I have said a few shocking things to our guests.”
“You go, girl.” Reese grinned, her spirits lifting for the first time. “Are they finding you not the doormat you used to be?”
“Doormat?”
“For people to walk on?” When the girl still looked confused, Reese said, “I just mean you’re speaking up for yourself now which is good. I’m proud of you.”
“Will you ladies be joining us for cards?” The Earl called from where they were setting up a table.
“Yes.” Ellen turned toward them.
“No.” When Ellen turned around, Reese added, “I’m tired. I need to go to bed.” She turned to the others and curtsied but said in a soft voice to Ellen, “They’ll enjoy themselves better without me.”
Ellen tsked but offered no other objection, so Reese left the room. When she had reached the stairs, the Earl called from behind.
“Miss Clarisse.”
Taking a deep breath, Reese turned to face him. “Yes, my lord?”
“I wish you to call me Gareth,” he said, striding to where she stood. “When we are alone.”
“But we shouldn’t be alone, my lord.” She raised her brows, trying to keep it light. With her luck, he would soon be offering her a carte blanche with an offer to set her up in a house.
“Yes, that is true. Then when you are alone with my sister and I.” The corner of his mouth twitched up. “I would like to hear my name come from your lips.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.
Reese took a backward step up the stairs.
“Do you Americans not flirt, Miss Clarisse?” he asked.
“Not me. I hate it because it’s fake.”
“Fake?”
“False. Pretend. I don’t want pretend friendship or pretend romance.” Reese took another backward step. “I am nothing if not honest, my lord.”
“I think I like that best about you.” He looked about to move forward.
Reese picked up her skirts, turned, and took the stairs two at a time. At the top, she looked back over her shoulder to find the Earl grinning up at her.
“You coming, Kellworth?” Ned called.
Still smiling, the Earl bowed and returned to the drawing room.
Only then did she realize she’d probably given him quite a view of her ankles. With a sigh, she headed to her bedroom.
***
Jem cursed for probably the tenth time as he made his way to the Kellworth estate in the dark. If his gray broke a leg, it would be Jem’s fault for his determination to make the trip. But he had an urge—a need—to get there that he couldn’t shake.
He’d been on edge all day and had thought it was because of how cozy Reese seemed to be getting with that Earl. However, the sense of unease hadn’t eased up on the ride back to Twickenham. If anything, it had increased the further away he got from the village. Or the further way from Reese he’d gotten. He couldn’t tell anymore. It was like an external force warning him of something. But what?
At Twickenham, when he’d tried to sneak up the back stairs still in his disguise, Nellie’s cook had caught him.
“Oh no you don’t.” The large woman had grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back. “Who are you and where do you think you’re going?” He was pretty sure she’d have gone for his ear if she could have reached it.
“It’s me. Jem.” He’d tried to pull himself free, but she had a grip like a vise.
Other servants had gathered around them, menacing.
“I don’t know.” Geoffrey had peered at him. “He’s the right size, and those blue eyes . . .”
The cook flicked some kind of dust at Jem, and his whole body had tingled. The servants gasped.
“I wondered where you had taken yourself, Mr. Jem,” Geoffrey had said. “I thought you went riding.”
“He was at the Kellworth village helping with that putrid ditch,” one of the female servants had said.
“Ahh,” the servants had said as a group, many nodding their heads.
“Let’s finish getting you cleaned up.” His valet had reached out as though to put an arm on Jem’s shoulder but stopped. “If I’d known you wanted a disguise, I have better ways, ones that are easier to set right after.”
Tired, Jem had let his man clean him up for tea, grateful he’d made no mention about the little visit to the village. Jem didn’t know if that was because Geoffrey was on his side and willing to go against Nellie, or if the fae woman already knew. She’d said nothing. Maybe she had decided not to interfere and to let things play out.
That suited Jem just fine, he’d told himself as he saw lights that had to be Kellworth. He’d used an excuse of being tired for going to bed early, and Geoffrey had set out riding clothes and a cape instead of the usual bedclothes. Jem took this as a good sign that his valet seemed to be supporting his plan.
Now if Jem just understood the increasing sense of urgency he’d felt since leaving the tenant village.
Chapter 20
AFTER SENDING LULU OFF ON a quick errand, Reese slipped her workout clothes on and then her nightgown before crawling into her bed. She opened a book.
“Do you need anything else tonight, miss?” the maid asked when she returned.
“No, that will do.” Reese looked at her. “I’ve taken you for granted. I’m sorry. Do you have family over at Nellie’s you’d like to see?” She arched her brows. “Do you have a young man?”
Lulu colored.
“When do you get time off?” Reese asked, feeling guilty.
“I get half days on Sundays, miss, but Aunt Nellie said I was to stay with you.”
That hurt. “Haven’t I done much better?”
“With his lordship’s guests, yes, miss.” Lulu nodded sagely. “I cannot say you have done so well with her ladyship.”
“But she doesn’t have any idea I’m from the future. Give me credit for that.”
“Aye. I own you have done well there.” Lulu bobbed a curtsy. “Good night, miss.” The maid left the door between their rooms ajar. Did she suspect something?
Reese waited for the sounds of soft snoring before she eased off the bed and removed the nightgown. She slipped her hooded cloak on but left her shoes behind. Like the night with Jem—why did she have to think of him again—she went barefoot. She put the shields up on her lantern and opened her
door.
At the top of the stairs, she listened for the sounds of the others. She made out the Earl’s voice and Ellen’s, plus the titter of one of the women. She should be safe to slip out the back way without anyone seeing her. Pulling the shroud of her cloak over her head, she tiptoed toward the back stairs the servants used.
The Kellworth lawn wasn’t as large as Nellie’s since Ellen had put in so many flower beds, but it would serve. Reese slipped off the cloak and started with her stretches. It felt so good after too many busy but physically-restrictive days.
She went through her kicks and punches and worked up a nice sweat. Then she moved into her katas. She hadn’t taken her lessons very seriously and hadn’t progressed up the belts like some of the other, more dedicated, members of her class. Maybe when she got home she should do that.
Reese was so focused on remembering the forms that she didn’t pay attention to the shiver that went down her back. She thought it was just the evening breeze on her sweaty neck. Then her hair stood on end, and she knew she wasn’t alone.
She spun around and took up a fighting stance. Against the background of the trees, she made out a dark figure. She dashed over to where she had left her cloak, thinking to grab it and run to the house. It wasn’t there.
“Are you looking for this?” Ned stepped into the faint light from the lantern, holding her cloak. He smirked and let his gaze travel over her body before coming back to her face.
Breathing heavily, it took all her strength not to cross her arms.
“You should have made your presence known.” Reese held out her hand for the cloak.
“I think not, Miss Hamilton. In fact,” he took a step closer, “I would like to see even less on you.”
Did he think she would just stand there and let him jump her? Moron. She spun around and sprinted toward the house.
“Get her,” he shouted.
Someone plowed into Reese from the side. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of her, and she hit the ground hard. As she was gasping for breath, he was on top of her, forcing her arms over her head. Reggie bent over and grinned wolfishly, his breath reeking with garlic and his after-dinner port.
“Now we’ll see which one of us gets the pretty American and her fortune.” He tried to kiss her. She bit his lip until she tasted blood. He cried out. With a growl, he straightened and slapped her across the face.
Cheek stinging, Reese lunged upward like she was doing a fast sit-up. Her forehead smashed his nose. It made her see stars but knocked him off her. She scrambled to the side.
Ned grabbed her and hauled her to her feet, his grasp hurting her wrist.
“Cheeky American females need to learn to bow to their betters.” He put pressure on her wrist, like he meant to force her to her knees.
Reese cried out but used her pain and anger to fuel her motion. She pinned his hand on top of her wrist, and jerked up his elbow. He grunted and went down on his knees. She released him, jumped out of his reach, and ran into Reggie.
“Oh no you don’t,” he growled, blood smeared across his face from his mouth and nose.
“Oh yes she does.” A hand, heel of the palm extended, flew over her shoulder. It struck Reggie’s nose. Screaming, he flew backward and clutched his face.
Jem stepped up beside her and took up the same defensive position she’d shown him at Nellie’s. Reese swallowed a hard lump in her throat and faced their opponents together.
Ned knelt by his friend, the expression on his face made uglier in the dim light of the lantern. He stood.
“You’re going to pay for that.” He stood and looked about to lunge at them.
“Stand down, Ned.” Breathing hard, the Earl ran to Reese and stood at her other side. Ned looked about to charge anyway. “I said stand down.”
Gareth’s tone must have finally broken through Ned’s rage. He seemed to shrink as the fight went out of him.
“I want you both gone. Tonight,” the Earl said. “You will never set foot on my property again. If I hear even the slightest rumor that either of you have talked about this to anyone, I will ruin you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lord.” Ned helped Reggie to his feet and led him toward the house.
Reese and Jem straightened, his arm resting against hers. She was grateful for the warmth of his skin.
“Be here in an hour at your peril,” Gareth called after the men, the danger in his voice powerful. He shot Jem a quick glance. “Miss Clarisse, did they hurt you?”
“I’m okay,” Reese whispered. She needed to get up to her room, or she was going to lose it.
“And who might you be?” Gareth asked Jem.
“Jem Taylor.” He didn’t move.
“Ah. The cousin. Well timed.” The Earl’s gaze had shifted back the departing men. “I must see to their departure. Can I trust you to escort Miss Clarisse safely back to my house?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Gareth looked at her one more time before striding away.
Reese bent over to pick up her cloak, but her hands were shaking. She blinked back tears. Jem picked it up and gently placed it over her shoulders.
“Are you really okay?” Jem asked softly. He reached out as though to wipe something from her face. She jerked her head away, and he dropped his hand. “When I saw those guys jump you—” His voice broke.
As she looked into his blue eyes, so full of concern, a lump grew in Reese’s throat. Jem had come. How had he known? She reached up and touched his cheek.
“Thank you,” she said.
Jem covered her hand and held it against his face and said, his voice rough, “I’m just glad I got here in time.”
“Me too.” The adrenaline rush had gone, and Reese felt drained. She sniffed, wanting to be in her bed.
Jem must have seen it because he dropped his hand and picked up the lantern. He held the light to her face. The muscles of his jaw worked, and he brushed the place where Reggie had hit her.
“Don’t kill him. He’s not worth it.” Reese’s gaze was drawn to a dark patch on Jem’s palm. Her stomach twisted. She grabbed his hand and held it up to the lantern. It was blood. “Are you cut?”
“It’s just a scratch. I think it might have been one of his teeth.”
“Is your tetanus shot current?” Reese examined it more closely.
“Yes.” Jem gave a wry smile and touched her cheek again. “Now let’s hope no one thinks I did this, and you bit me.”
“That’s not funny,” she said, but an almost hysterical giggle escaped.
He said nothing but pulled her into his arms. Reese started to cry and pressed her face against his neck, her arms around his waist. She had no idea how long they stood there like that, but at the sound of heavy footsteps running toward them, Jem straightened. He didn’t release her.
“Is Miss Clarisse injured?” the Earl asked.
“No.” Reese straightened and brushed at her cheeks.
“That’s my girl,” Gareth said softly, his gaze approving. “However, if we wish to avoid a scandal, we must slip you inside, out of sight of the servants. Come.”
“You okay now?” Jem asked quietly.
“I think so.” He took her hand, and she clenched it tightly.
“When I saw what was happening, I bid my man to wait here,” Gareth said softly when they approached the front door. “I trust him to say nothing.”
Reese tried to lift the cowl of her cape over her head with one hand, and Jem helped with the other side.
The Earl gave the door a soft tap, and the valet opened it immediately. His gaze darted to her face for a second, but then he looked at his lord, waiting for instructions.
“Get her ladyship.” Gareth held a finger to his lips.
“Aye, my lord.” The man closed the door.
“Over here.” The Earl guided them into the shadows and blew out the lantern before putting it down. “I most humbly apologize that any woman who is a guest in my house should be thus treated. I never thought . .
.”
Reese decided he must have been thinking of his sister, and she patted his arm. “They thought if they compromised me, I’d have to marry one of them.” Jem’s hand in hers twitched.
“That has to be one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard,” he said. “Did they never consider trying to court you?”
“That’s what they do to women here,” she said. “My lord, you need to watch out for Sir Slimy, I mean Lord Howard. He’s just like Reggie and Ned.”
“Has he—” Gareth began, his voice a growl.
“Not yet, but he was watching Ellen the same way I’ve caught Ned watching me.”
The door opened, and her ladyship peeked out. “Clarisse?” she whispered.
“Over here.” Gareth guided his sister’s hand to Reese’s. “Miss Clarisse has had a fright, but I believe she will be fine. I need you to tend her. No servants.”
“Of course. I— Oh.” Ellen gave Jem a quick curtsy. “When did Mr. Taylor arrive?”
“I arrived in time to offer assistance to my cousin,” Jem said.
“While you see to Miss Clarisse,” the Earl said, “I will show Mr. Taylor to his room.”
“Jem, don’t forget your hand.” Reese reached for the one with the scratch. “You have to scrub it really well with that horrible lye soap because—”
“Because people can die of a staph infection here.” He brought their clasped hands up like he meant to kiss hers. The Earl gave a grunt that was part growl. Jem stopped just short of his mouth, but the corner of his mouth quirked up. His gaze met hers, and the tenderness there felt like one of Nellie’s potions, easing the hurt. “I’ll scrub it well. I have plenty of reasons to be alive.” He released her hand and bowed first to Ellen and then to Reese.
“Come.” Ellen put an arm around Reese’s back, and they hurried upstairs to her bedroom. Her ladyship slipped into Lulu’s little room and told her not to bother them. The maid tried to protest, but Ellen could put on the noble attitude as good as her brother when she wanted to.
“I thought you had retired early.” She lit the lamp and turned to help Reese remove the cloak. “Oh, you went outside to do your exercises? Did something—” She gasped. “Your face. Who did this?”
Against the Magic Page 19