The Hellion and The Heartbreaker

by McNare, Jennifer

  As they reached the threshold of her room, Scarlett suddenly turned and launched herself against her brother, who staggered slightly at the force of her onslaught, and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. “I love you, Colin.”

  Colin quickly recovered his balance and folded her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “I love you too, Scarlett,” he said, his tone slightly bemused.

  When they left her bedchamber a moment later, Scarlett felt as if an enormous weight had just been lifted from her shoulders. Though she hated to admit it, she owed the Duke of Worthe a huge debt of gratitude. Perhaps Alec Weston wasn’t so bad after all. It was an unexpected notion.

  Chapter 2

  Lost in thought, Alec Weston idly rubbed his left thumb across the pliant flesh between the thumb and index finger of his right hand, along the four, faint white scars that permanently marred the top of his hand. They were barely visible, unnoticeable to anyone but himself really, but he had developed the unwitting habit of rubbing his thumb over the tiny ridges, most often when he was agitated. Eyeing his hand with an irritated glance, the unconscious movement of his thumb abruptly ceased. Rising from the chair behind his desk, he strode to the door of his study and summoned his butler.

  “Have the coach brought round,” he said, when Hensworth appeared. “I’ll be ready to depart within the hour.”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” his stoic butler replied with a sharp nod, before turning to carry out the request.

  He was about to pay another visit to Grey Oaks. He hadn’t been back since the day he had acquired Brutus, two years earlier, the day Colin’s sister, or the wretched little monster as he had dubbed her in his mind, had bitten him and kicked him in the shin for taking her horse. It wasn’t because of that of course, though the memory still rankled him to this day, but rather because he never seemed able to find the time. He saw Colin often though, for like him, Colin held a position in the House of Lords, which required his frequent visits to London. On his last visit, Colin had, like always, extended an invitation for him to visit Grey Oaks, insisting that a few days in the country would do him a world of good. Despite his busy schedule and the unpleasant thought of another encounter with Colin’s sister, this time he had accepted. He was long past due for a break.

  Alec was immensely relieved when the coach finally made its way up the graveled drive to Grey Oaks’ front door. He could have ridden and sent his luggage separately, for he generally disliked being confined for long periods, but instead he had decided to use the time to catch up on some much needed rest. Now, hours after his departure from London, his muscles were stiff from the less than ideal sleeping arrangements within the vehicle and the near-constant jostling from the weather-beaten roads.

  Disembarking, Alec ran his fingers through his tousled hair and did his best to smooth his rumpled jacket. Colin wouldn’t mind his slight dishevel of course, but his valet would have been horrified. Thankfully though, Thomas had remained in London, and wasn’t on hand to witness the sorry state of his appearance. Ahh, he thought with pleasure, an entire week without the tiresome ministrations of an exacting valet and the exceedingly stringent dress requirements imposed by Society, just one of the many perks of country life.

  Leaving the footmen to see to the unloading of his bags, he quickly made his way to the house and moments later the McPhearson’s butler was ushering him inside.

  “If you would care to wait in the parlor, Your Grace,” he said courteously, “I shall inform the earl of your arrival.”

  He nodded, feeling an odd sense of deja vu. “I’ll see myself in,” he said, hesitating for a moment as he watched the silver-haired butler turn and make his way down the hall toward Colin’s study.

  At fourteen, Scarlett had long since moved past the crocodile tears and occasional temper tantrums of preadolescence, but she was still very much accustomed to getting her own way. At present however, Colin was being annoyingly unaccommodating and she was beginning to fear that the fiery temper she had learned to control was about to ignite into full flame.

  “You are getting too old to continue dressing like a lad and gadding about with the stable hands,” he said, frustration evident in every word as he continued the lecture he had been delivering for the past quarter hour.

  Scarlett sat across from him in one of the large, overstuffed leather chairs that were positioned in front of his desk, arms folded across her chest, long legs jutting out in front of her, ankles crossed, the toe of her tall leather riding boot twitching rapidly to and fro. She was doing her best to remain calm, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. “They’re my friends,” she countered indignantly, pointedly ignoring his remark about her choice of attire. She watched as her brother raked his fingers through his thick red hair, clearly exasperated.

  “I realize that, Scarlett, but you are a young lady now and it’s time you started acting like one.”

  “Humph,” she snorted, rolling her eyes.

  Colin took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly. “Briarwood is an excellent finishing school.”

  “I don’t need to go to some ridiculous finishing school,” Scarlett retorted obstinately.

  “Think of all the new friends you will make,” he said, his tone cajoling.

  “I have friends.”

  “Girls, Scarlett! You need girl friends.”

  “Bethany’s a girl.” Bethany was the stable master’s daughter, and Scarlett’s one and only female friend.

  “Yes, Bethany is a girl,” Colin admitted. “But she is hardly a proper influence. She spends nearly as much time in the stables as you do.”

  Not for the reason you’re thinking, she wanted to say, but didn’t. Bethany, one year older than Scarlett, had recently developed a keen interest in certain members of the opposite sex, and thus an increased interest in the stables, the hub of male activity on the estate.

  “You need to spend time with girls who, well… girls who do girl things.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but Colin cut her off, abruptly changing tactics.

  “Do you honestly think mother and father would have allowed you to go about like this, dressing and acting like a lad at your age?” he asked, gazing pointedly at her breeches.

  Scarlett ground her teeth at the mention of their parents. That was a low blow and it hit its mark, but even so, it wasn’t going to change her feelings about going to Briarwood. She knew that her parents most likely wouldn’t have approved of her unconventional behavior, but the fact was they were gone, and now all she had left were her brothers. In truth, that was the primary reason for her fierce aversion to Colin’s proposal. She loved her brothers more than anything in the world and the thought of being sent away to school, away from her family and away from her home, terrified her. Her life was perfect just the way it was and she didn’t want it to change, not ever.

  Colin eyed her curiously for a long moment. “Scarlett, you know I don’t want to send you away, don’t you?”

  She raised an eyebrow, her expression dubious.

  “You know how much we all love you, Minx.” His voice softened. “This isn’t a punishment, it’s an opportunity.”

  She eyed him skeptically. “An opportunity for what?”

  “Well…an opportunity to…improve yourself.”

  “What’s wrong with the way I am now?”

  “There is nothing wrong with you, Minx,” he said emphatically. “That is not what I meant at all. What I meant, is that it is an opportunity for you to enhance and refine the wonderful qualities you already possess. You are one of the kindest, most loving people I have ever known Scarlett. You’re smart as a whip, you’re spirited and courageous and you work just as hard at Grey Oaks as any us, probably harder in fact. But the fact remains, you are a young lady, and I have been far too lax in your upbringing.” He placed his hands flat on the desk, his expression earnest. “You have so much potential Scarlett, and Briarwood will teach you the skills you need to make the most of your future.”

&nbs
p; Her future! She snorted in disgust, her temper flaring to life once again. “You mean that they will teach me how to dance and pour tea, to paint watercolors and make polite meaningless conversation.” She rolled her eyes in revulsion. “And for what, all so that I can enter into Society and snare myself a suitable husband?”

  “You are the granddaughter of an earl, Scarlett. You were born a lady, whether you like it or not.” The frustration was back in his voice.

  They glared at one another for several seconds, the air growing fraught with tension.

  “You’re going, Scarlett,” he said, finally breaking the tense silence.

  Never, she vowed mentally. Rising angrily from her chair, she turned and marched to the door. Grasping the handle, she turned back to her brother, her eyes flashing with fury.

  Colin visibly braced himself.

  Scarlett stood on the threshold glaring mutinously at her brother. “I am not going, Colin,” she declared, her voice rising loudly. “Not now, and not ever!”

  Storming out of the room like a rolling thundercloud, she failed to notice the flustered butler who stood to the side, frozen in place. Mumbling under her breath, she stomped loudly down the hall and into the foyer, heading for the front door, her long fiery curls flying in her wake.

  As she neared the door, she looked up and saw with surprise that someone was standing directly in her path. The sight stopped her dead in her tracks. She recognized him instantly. Her former nemesis had returned. Colin had mentioned his upcoming visit, but with the threat of Briarwood hanging over her head she’d forgotten that he was due to arrive today. She stood now, rooted in place, staring mouth agape as he silently looked her up and down, his expression full of disdain.

  Alec could see that the little monster recognized him. “Hello brat,” he said, his voice caustic.

  Brat! She stiffened, and for a moment they simply glared at one another in silence, taking each other’s measure. Considering their previous encounter, she supposed she couldn’t really blame him for his present attitude. Truth be told, she deserved his contempt, but his flagrant dislike stung her pride nonetheless and she was already in a foul mood.

  “This discussion is not over, Scarlett!”

  She started. Apparently, Colin had followed her into the foyer, and the sound of his angry voice coming from behind quickly snapped her back to the matter at hand.

  “Alec,” Colin said in obvious surprise, halting in mid-stride as he noted his friend’s unexpected presence. “Forgive me. I didn’t realize you had arrived.”

  Scarlett grimaced as Colin quickly resumed his stride, the sound of his boot heels thudding loudly against the marble floor as he came to stand directly behind her.

  She turned toward him warily. His expression was far from pleased.

  “Scarlett, you may go to your room,” he instructed firmly. “We will finish our conversation later.”

  She bit her lip, struggling to control her temper. She longed to shove past the duke and dash out the front door, but she knew better than to disobey her brother in front of a guest. Colin would never forgive her. But oh how it rankled, being sent to her room like an errant child. It was infuriating and utterly humiliating!

  She glanced back toward the duke and caught his self-satisfied smirk. She felt the sudden sting of tears, but fought them back. Clenching her fists in exasperation, she turned on her heel and then marched up the stairs with as much dignity as she could muster under the circumstances.

  When she reached her bedchamber, Scarlett cast herself onto her bed. Lying there alone in the quiet of her room, she began to think. She soon realized that the Duke of Worthe’s visit might just afford her with the perfect opportunity to prove to Colin that she was entirely capable of displaying “proper” and “conventional” behavior when necessary. Considering her present options, she had little to lose, and so she began to devise a plan.

  Hesitating for a moment at the threshold of the dining room, Scarlett knew that her appearance would come as a surprise to her brothers, for she never joined them for dinner when they had guests. Colin refused to let her dine in her breeches when visitors were at Grey Oaks, so on those occasions she ate in her room or in the kitchen with Tess and the staff.

  She felt awkward and unsure in the pale green gown, one of the half-dozen dresses Tess insisted on having made for her each year, though until now not a single one of them had ever been worn. In fact, she couldn’t even remember the last time she had worn a dress. Apparently neither could Tess, for the poor woman had nearly fainted when she’d informed her that she intended to don a gown and join her brothers and their guest for the evening meal. Once she’d gotten over her astonishment, her governess had been beside herself with joy and had nearly sprinted across the room to the armoire that held Scarlett’s dresses, all resting pristine and untouched on their individual velvet hangers.

  The one she wore was a bit snug and both the sleeves and hem were half an inch too short, but it was the best Tess could do under the circumstances. She hated it of course. It was dreadfully uncomfortable, and made even worse by the ridiculous shoes that had already begun to pinch her feet. As if that weren’t bad enough, the tortoise-shell combs Tess had insisted on using to pin back her hair were digging unpleasantly into her scalp. But, if this is what she had to endure to convince Colin that she didn’t need to be sent away to Briarwood, then she would endure it. The plan she had come up with had been set into motion, and now it was time to execute it. Squaring her shoulders, she stepped into the dining room just as the men were getting ready to sit down.

  Gavin was the first to see her. His face clearly registered his shock as his eyes swept her from head to toe. Fearing that her brothers, Rory especially, might give her some good-natured teasing over her sudden transformation, she bit her lower lip nervously as she moved further into the room. As if on cue Rory noted her appearance, and as she’d suspected his jaw dropped. Fortunately, before he could speak, Gavin apparently recovered from his own initial shock, cleared his throat and nudged Rory, sending him a pointed look that clearly said; don’t say anything stupid! She owed Gavin for that one.

  “Scarlett, how pretty you look,” he said quickly as Rory turned from him and back to her, staring once again in wide-eyed, slack-jawed surprise.

  Suddenly all eyes were upon her, including the Duke of Worthe’s. He was standing next to Colin drink in hand, his expression unreadable as he took in her feminine garb. Colin was much easier to read. Though momentarily startled, he was obviously pleased. Setting his own drink down on the sideboard, he immediately walked to her side. When he stopped before her, pride and admiration were evident in his gaze. Bending down, he whispered in her ear. “Thank you, Scarlett.”

  She smiled with genuine pleasure, not only because her plan appeared to be working, but because it felt rather nice to make her brother proud.

  Offering her his arm, Colin immediately led her over to where the duke stood.

  “Scarlett, I would like you to meet my good friend Lord Alec Weston, the Duke of Worthe.”

  Of course, they had already met years before, but Colin didn’t know that. Would the duke say anything now she wondered with sudden trepidation?

  “Hello, Your Grace,” she said, while executing a polite curtsey as Tess had instructed her to do. She offered him a timid smile and hoped for the best.

  “Hello Scarlett, it’s an honor to meet you,” he replied with a nod, and a polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  The tightness in her chest loosened. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath.

  As they sat down to dinner Scarlett found herself sitting directly across from the duke; who was seated to Colin’s right. Conner sat next to him, while Rory and Gavin were seated to her left. Normally, when it was just the family, dinner was casual and relaxed. Tonight however, her brothers were all freshly shaven and wearing finely pressed white shirts and formal black dinner jackets and trousers, as was the duke. The table was set with their fine
st china, silverware and crystal, and the footmen stood regally at their posts. The setting was far more formal than she was accustomed to, and she was surprised at how grown up she suddenly felt. Despite the continual urge she felt to tug at the constricting neckline of her gown and the unending desire to kick her uncomfortable shoes off under the table, she knew that she had made the right decision.

  When the first course was set before her, Scarlett’s eyes drifted to the opposite side of the table, and for the first time she took a good hard look at Alec Weston. He was incredibly handsome; there was simply no denying it. There were several young men at Grey Oaks whom she considered handsome, but Alec Weston was in a league of his own. Even she, with her limited experience, could tell that much. She was certain her friend Bethany would readily agree. Almost as if he had read her thoughts, he turned toward her, his green-eyed gaze locking with hers. She noted the subtle lift of his brow and quickly turned her attention to her plate.

  “I heard Foxhaven’s bay broke a long-standing record at Newmarket last week,” Alec said, turning to Colin.

  “Bested the Earl of Ainsleigh’s grey by more than three lengths,” Colin replied, pride evident in every word.

  “Your racers are becoming the talk of the season.

  Colin nodded in agreement, his expression pleased. “The bay was the second two-year old from our stables to break a record on the Rowley Mile this season.”

  “And the thoroughbred we sold to Haverston last fall took several records at Nottingham just two weeks past,” Conner added.

  “Here’s to the McPhearson stables,” Gavin said proudly, raising his wineglass, “the finest in the land.”

  “Here, here,” Rory chimed in, grinning and nudging Scarlett as he raised his own glass.

  “Here, here,” Conner, Colin and Alec, echoed, raising their glasses aloft.

  Scarlett eagerly joined her brothers in the toast, following their example and raising her water glass to her lips, delighting in the cheerful mood.