‘No one has spoken to me in this manner before – not even Alyssa!’ he exclaimed, a fierce rasp in his voice.
‘Perhaps if they had, you would not act as you do,’ observed Letty, offering a serene but knowing smile.
He glared and a deep frown gathered on his brow. He was about to voice a biting riposte but, observing Letty’s smile and charming features, Piers suddenly seemed unable to sustain his rancour. His sneer died away, his bellicose manner softened and his mouth began to curve in genuine amusement. Taking a step towards her, Piers laughed and said in a low, husky voice, ‘Why, Miss Ravenhill, you are the most—’
His reply was cut short by the door opening to admit Alyssa. She halted on the threshold, her surprised glance flicking between the two occupants. ‘Piers! I did not expect you so soon.’
Swiftly, he moved away from Letty and drawled, ‘Hello, Coz.’
‘When did you arrive?’
‘A short time ago. Didn’t Rowberry inform you?’
‘I asked not to be disturbed and came straight here from meeting Ennis,’ she explained.
‘I left London sooner than anticipated and wanted you to know I am in the area. Once it became known I could not settle my most pressing debts, it became a little uncomfortable there.’
‘No doubt an unpleasant experience,’ said Alyssa. She sat at the bureau and looked through the letters which had arrived earlier, adding, ‘You have clearly introduced yourselves. Has he made himself agreeable, Letty? Piers can be irascible or engaging, depending upon his mood.’
‘He has been tolerable, I suppose.’
‘My behaviour has been exemplary under the circumstances, Coz – Miss Ravenhill gave me the most appalling shock earlier and my heart almost required a surgeon’s ministrations.’
‘Oh, what fustian!’ cried Letty, laughing, ‘Sir, you are untruthful – your heart was never in danger when I appeared from the passageway!’
He shook his head. ‘I defy any gentleman not to be overset when confronted by such a charming spectre!’
‘I wish I had seen your face at that moment, Piers,’ said Alyssa, smiling. She put the letters on the desk, and looked into her cousin’s face. ‘Let me be frank – what do you hope to achieve by coming here?’
‘I’ve no clear notion, Coz. Before I left town, that dusty old scribe Bartley confirmed there are no substantive grounds to contest but, as I told you, I’ve a mind to cast an eye over things. However, I have recently discovered my visit may hold unexpected compensations,’ said Piers, his gaze resting momentarily on Letty.
‘But you may not meet Sir Giles for some time,’ said Alyssa, who thought it wiser to ignore this last, veiled comment.
‘I intend to call and introduce myself. Have you any objection?’
‘Several, but none you will regard. Please don’t engage in impolitic conversation with Sir Giles, Piers.’
‘Whatever my faults, you can’t accuse me of bad manners,’ he drawled. ‘I would never display such a lamentable lack of subtlety.’
‘Unlike Charles,’ murmured Letty.
Piers laughed. ‘Lord, yes!’ He raised his brows quizzically and added, ‘O-ho, has Charles been endearing himself to the locals already? Ah! No need to offer any confirmation – I see by Miss Ravenhill’s expression I am correct. Really, he employs the most cow-handed methods! What do you see in The Brook Bore, Alyssa? You, my favourite cousin, are above him in so many ways; consider carefully before throwing yourself into Charles’s dreary embrace.’
‘I am your only cousin, and I don’t think I should discuss my feelings for Charles with you,’ said Alyssa, colouring. ‘He has gone to London.’
‘Thank God!’ he said, with pithy disregard for circumspection. ‘At least I shan’t have to endure his company.’ He yawned theatrically. ‘You see, I find even discussing him soporific. Tell me, is the estate still lucrative?’
‘Well enough, it seems, but farming in general is not as profitable since the war. The countryside is in the midst of change and Hawkscote needs to adapt.’
‘What sort of change?’ asked Piers.
‘Mechanization is looming; more reliable machines are being developed which will alter the way estates like this are run,’ she explained. ‘The labourers are poorly paid and, when you add the fear of losing their jobs to machinery, their simmering anger is understandable. I have spoken to the labourers and they do not earn enough to feed and clothe themselves, let alone their families. I have promised to see if I can increase their pay.’
‘You’ll bankrupt the estate if you’re too generous,’ observed her cousin, who had been listening intently.
‘There is room, I think, for a small increment, but before I take any action, I’ll give it further consideration. Draper, who is one of the labourers and seemingly their spokesperson, was forceful in his pleadings today, until Ennis told him to watch his tongue.’
‘Was he aggressive?’ enquired Letty.
‘No – not exactly aggressive, but he said he and his family would be better fed in the workhouse.’
‘He sounds an ungrateful sort! Constrain your good deeds to educating your deserving brats, Coz, and leave Ennis to manage the labourers.’
‘I intend to establish a school in Dorchester eventually, but I cannot ignore my workers’ plight.’ Alyssa sighed. ‘It would be sensible to ask Sir Giles for his advice, I suppose.’
‘I’ll be interested to hear his suggestions,’ he replied, with a sceptical look.
Later, Piers left for his dinner engagement after eliciting an invitation, against Alyssa’s better judgement, to call at Hawkscote whenever he liked.
The rest of the week passed quickly. Alyssa and Letty received several cards to attend summer events and, to Alyssa’s amazement, they were also invited, by virtue of a gilt-edged card grand enough to request an appearance at Court, to attend the Nashes’ annual evening party. As Saturday approached once more, Alyssa became preoccupied with meeting Sir Giles again. Even upon reflection, she did not regret telling Mr Esidarap’s story, but admitted to feeling nervous, and to offset this, allowed Letty to dress her hair in the newest fashion: swept into a careful disorder of curls, with several burnished ringlets allowed to fall loose. The knowledge she looked her best gave her extra courage.
On his arrival, she felt a shiver of feminine satisfaction at the frank admiration in his eyes, and, when they were once again plunged into the secluded aura of the diningroom, she blushed under his more obvious scrutiny.
Alyssa would have been gratified to know she presented an utterly delightful picture to her companion. His breath had caught in his throat the moment he saw her and now, seated opposite, her effect upon him was profound. The candlelight highlighted the copper and bronze hues in her hair, while dark expressive eyes gazed back with their usual hint of challenge mingled with humour. From under half-closed lids, he admired the alabaster skin of her neck and shoulders and the smooth swell of her breasts, tantalizingly just visible above the lace of her dress. Damnation! He felt as helpless as a callow youth, unable to contain his urges. Never before, he acknowledged somewhat bitterly, had he felt as attracted to any woman as he did to Alyssa Paradise, in spite of their fiery exchanges to date. But she was promised to someone else while he had Caroline to consider. However, try as he might to hold these dicta in his head, the feelings could not be annihilated. Struggling with his conscience and his desires, he curled his hand, which rested on the table, into a fist to control the gnawing compulsion to reach out and touch the slender fingers lying inches from his own.
Watching carefully from across the table, Alyssa discerned none of this from his urbane expression. While a coat of blue kerseymere showed his physique to advantage, he also wore a fine linen shirt and his neckcloth was tied with simple but exquisite style, the white fabric in potent contrast to the faint, dark shadow covering his jawline. Alyssa swallowed; Sir Giles exuded a heady mixture of masculine power, style and sharp intellect.
How long it would be befo
re he broached the subject of Mr Esidarap? Alyssa observed his hand curling into a fist and wondered if it was an indication of his inner fury. Whatever his opinions, she would prefer to discuss the issue immediately rather than have it hang over them.
She was to have her wish. As soon as the servants withdrew, he began. ‘Miss Paradise, I have to take you severely to task. You have, I understand, enjoyed an – er – unusual past, and stand in need of censure.’
Alyssa raised her brows. ‘Oh? By all means try, but I cannot promise to take note,’ said she, still trying to ascertain his underlying mood. Dear God, this man could be maddeningly inscrutable when he chose!
‘Let us be clear: you told Caroline and Mrs Nash how you took up the disguise of a man – a certain Mr Jack Esidarap – and travelled about town for some weeks under this guise, taking part in most unsuitable activities?’
She nodded.
He touched his napkin to his lips. ‘Caroline was greatly shocked – indeed, she told me so that same afternoon.’
‘I thought it would not be long before you heard,’ she said drily.
‘Indeed.’
‘Miss Nash and her mother were no doubt at pains to give you the sensational details,’ murmured Alyssa, blushing but defiant.
‘Every one,’ he acknowledged.
‘And doing so gave Miss Nash great satisfaction?’
‘Without question; her gratification was marked,’ he confirmed tonelessly.
There was a long silence. Alyssa felt obliged to apologize, even though she had felt no similar compunction towards Caroline Nash.
With the colour heightened in her cheeks, she said in a determined voice, ‘I will apologize – but to you alone, Sir Giles. It was wrong of me, but I assure you it was not done without severe provocation. Some devil prompted me to speak of Mr Esidarap in response to their atrocious arrogance and condescension. I am forced to speak plainly, but you should know the reasons for my behaviour and, indeed, I am only sorry I didn’t act in an even more outrageous manner. They might have been better served if I had.’
Alyssa concluded a little breathlessly and bit her lip, ready for his verbal onslaught and the ensuing argument; she would not give ground if he defended Miss Nash.
But Gil uttered no angry rejoinder. Instead, a smile played on his mouth at the sparkling fury in her eyes. ‘So, it isn’t true then?’ he said, quietly.
She looked up at the amusement in his voice and relief flooded through her. He had not taken offence and she was pleased. For some reason, she did not wish to lose any of his good opinion so far gained.
‘No, of course not! You are teasing me – you knew all along it was not, indeed you must have … didn’t you?’ she asked, with a chuckle.
‘I guessed almost immediately. There is no need to apologize because I can imagine the provocation offered – suffice to say I am aware of Miss Nash and her mother’s conduct on occasion.’
‘Then you don’t blame me?’
‘No,’ he said, a grin spreading across his face. He leant forward and said in a soft, accusing voice, ‘You are a mischievous imp, Miss Paradise! I had a devilish game to contain my amusement when Caroline and her mother recounted your story. Thank God I had a glass of wine to hand when they mentioned the orgy!’ He laughed. ‘Caroline is sceptical, but I doubt Mrs Nash will recover from the excitement for some time!’
‘Oh, I’m desolated to have caused you discomfort, Sir Giles,’ she said, her eyes dancing. ‘I don’t make a habit of inventing stories, you know.’
‘Next time, oblige me with prior notice: I would have given a great deal to be present during the first telling. You may be surprised to know I have a sense of humour.’
‘So I am discovering. It was amusing. Mrs Nash hardly knew whether to be appalled, or laugh hysterically, and she had difficulty smothering her gasps with her handkerchief,’ said Alyssa, a delicious dimple appearing.
‘Perhaps I shall have the honour of meeting Mr Esidarap one day,’ replied Sir Giles, giving a deep chuckle. ‘He sounds an intriguing character!’
‘There is one facet of my outrageous tale that is true: I am excellent at cards. I always won against Piers when we were younger, although we only bet halfpenny points!’ she said, laughing.
‘Then I must be on my guard when we play.’
‘I promise not to take too many vowels and relieve you of your fortune!’
‘Precocious wretch,’ he said, affably. ‘I am no sluggish player – we should pitch our skills against each other at the first opportunity; I’ve a mind to teach Mr Esidarap a lesson!’
She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes in mock horror. ‘Gracious, I am all of a quiver!’
He laughed and his eyes met hers. Suddenly, his laughter died away even as their gazes remained locked together. Tension crackled and arced between them. Alyssa could feel it … touch it almost. Her skin grew warm under his study, and she regarded him in some confusion, unable to comprehend the morass of feelings now unleashed within her. A spark of emotion – regret, resignation or perhaps even sadness – was briefly visible in his eyes until it was quickly hidden under lowered lids. Then, he gave a wry smile and reached forward. Alyssa consciously held her breath, thinking he was about to brush his fingertips across the bare skin of her arm, but he only took hold of the wine decanter.
‘I-I am in need of some advice, Sir Giles,’ she said, hurriedly. ‘Since we discussed it last week, I have looked more closely at the wages and the amounts do not even cover essentials. I spoke with some of the workers on Monday, and Jonas Draper urged me to increase the wages—’
‘I trust Draper was not offensive?’
‘He was forceful but still polite. Do you know him?’
‘Only by reputation. He is a good worker but renowned as a firebrand, and something of a troublemaker. He is relatively new to the area. From what I hear, I do not trust him; neither, I believe, did your uncle. General Paradise planned to dismiss him but was taken ill before he could do so. I strongly advise you not to be dragged into discussions about wages with a malcontent.’
‘But I—’
‘Do as I ask, on this one matter at least,’ he interjected. ‘Let Ennis handle it.’
‘He works for me, Sir Giles – I cannot avoid him altogether.’
‘You are the stubbornest woman I have ever met!’
‘I can’t help it,’ protested Alyssa. ‘I’m sorry if I displease you.’
‘You do not displease me; on the contrary—’ He hesitated, sighed heavily and rubbed his palm along his jaw before adding quietly, ‘Please, Miss Paradise, promise you will avoid Draper wherever possible?’
‘Very well,’ she agreed, seeing he was in earnest. ‘I give you my word not to seek him out. Is that sufficient?’
‘I suppose it must be.’
‘I have made notes on the wages and the expenses of one labourer and his family – would you be kind enough to look at them?’
‘You are still set on this?’
‘Yes, perhaps even more so having spoken to the labourers.’
He nodded and said, ‘Very well. Do you have your notes to hand?’
‘It will take me but a moment to fetch them.’ Alyssa was gone from the diningroom only a short while and returned in a rustle of silk, a single sheet of folded notepaper in her hand. She passed it to Sir Giles who skimmed his gaze over the page.
‘I will study your figures, but it would help if I came to Hawkscote and looked through the accounts before giving my final opinion,’ he said. ‘Would that be acceptable?’
‘Perfectly.’
He raised his brows. ‘No disagreement this time?’
‘No.’
‘Miss Paradise – you surprise me!’ he observed, with a grin.
Later, as Alyssa sat at her dressing-table unpinning her hair, she mused over the evening and saw her smile reflected in the mirror. Sir Giles was an engaging dinner companion and, despite their clashes, she found his company exhilarating. Too much perhaps, for w
hen he suggested looking at the accounts, she had readily agreed.
Sir Giles seemed genuinely concerned about Draper. Surely there could be no other reason than wishing her not to become embroiled in discussions? And yet, for a moment, she believed Sir Giles was anxious for her personally. No, she must have imagined it. Draper’s discontent was unlikely to extend beyond grumbling, but she resolved to keep to her promise and not ask his opinion again when there were other, less combative labourers she could speak to.
There was a tap at the door and Alyssa murmured, ‘Come in,’ to which request Letty entered, carrying a candle.
She sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘I saw your light was still burning and wondered how your dinner had progressed. Was Sir Giles angry about Mr Esidarap?’
‘Quite the opposite, love: he found it amusing.’
‘Famous! I knew he wouldn’t ring a peal over you – he has a healthy appreciation of the ridiculous, I think.’
‘It seems so. He even understood the provocation I received.’
‘Did he?’ said Letty, astonished. ‘If he realizes how odious Miss Nash can be, why is he going to marry her?’
‘I-I don’t know – that is not my concern,’ faltered Alyssa, closing her jewel box and placing it in a drawer. ‘He will be condemned to a miserable marriage, to be sure.’ Alyssa finished unpinning her hair, and turned around to continue, ‘I must tell you I have received two letters from Charles. His business in London is going well and it seems he has met, quite by chance, some old friends of his parents. They have a son and a daughter of whom Charles speaks highly and they have attended several functions together now the Season is underway.’
‘At least his megrims have ceased and he is willing to wait.’
She nodded. ‘I will give him my answer when he returns.’ Smiling, she asked, ‘Now, what do you think of Piers?’
Even in the subdued light, Alyssa could see the faint blush that rose to Letty’s cheeks. ‘I-I thought he was diverting and handsome, if a little moody.’
Alyssa looked at the glow in her companion’s eyes and thought Oh, no! Poor Letty!
The Paradise Will Page 9