Lord Rose Reid and the Lost Lady

by Em Taylor

  “Aye, well, next time, consider it as a possibility. He soiled himself and I had to change him with a ripped-up nightshirt.”

  “You changed a baby?”

  “Aye. What of it?”

  “It just seems a little… domesticated for a confirmed bachelor.”

  “I am not a confirmed bachelor. I planned to marry last Season until… well, let us not discuss that.”

  “Oh, I remember now. I do recognise you.” She should have recognised his name. He had been cuckolded by that young debutante who had run off with some Indian fellow.

  Lord Rose-Reid gave her a withering look and she closed her mouth.

  “He hates discussing it,” said Lord Whitsnow.

  A thought suddenly occurred to her as she patted her baby’s bottom as she rocked him. “My lord what did you do with his clout?”

  “His clout?”

  “The covering for his bottom which was soiled.”

  “I threw it out the window.”

  “Oh I see. Well the snow will harden it and make it easier to remove, I suppose,” she said, trying not to laugh.

  “What was I supposed to do with it?”

  “Give it to a servant to wash.”

  “It stunk.”

  “I am sure, so does what comes out of your derriere, but some poor servant empties your chamber pot, does he not?”

  “She has a point, old chap,” put in Whitsnow.

  “Keep out of this, Robert.”

  “Good God, I am getting my Sunday name. Things must be bad.”

  “You shall be getting a facer if you are not careful.”

  “Gentlemen, please.”

  “I apologise, Lady Rutherford. Reid is not used to female company. Not of the genteel type anyway.”

  “Says the man who has been holed up in Cumberland for over a year seeing no one but his runaway sister.”

  “Talking of my sister, Lady Rutherford, do you know, is she well?”

  “She is. Has she told you any recent news?”

  “No. Is she increasing yet?”

  Sophia bit her lip. She knew Emily was increasing but did not want to tell Emily’s brother if the mother-to-be had not seen fit to write a missive yet.

  “I…”

  “Ah good. A child should keep her out of trouble. As long as she doesn’t drop the poor thing on its head. You know how clumsy she is.”

  “I thought you, my brother and she discussed you calling her clumsy.”

  “Well yes. It is only a little teasing.”

  “Not to Emily it is not, Lord Whitsnow. She gets very upset.”

  He sighed wearily. “I know. It is habit.”

  “One you must break.”

  He looked chagrined and she felt guilty for scolding him. “I agree. I will try harder, my lady.”

  “I apologise. I should not scold you, my lord. It is not my place.”

  “It is. You are Emily’s friend. She speaks very highly of you.”

  “I think very highly of your sister too. She is a wonderful person and I am so pleased that she and Gideon have found a love match.”

  “You did not have a love match with your husband?” She turned to Lord Rose-Reid who had asked the question and gave him a stony look.

  “That is none of your concern, my lord.”

  “Are you two going to bicker all of the time? If I was a betting man, I would lay my fortune on you wanting to tumble each other. I am going upstairs to change. Dinner is in one hour. Reid, you can show Lady Rutherford to the chamber next to yours. We shall fashion something to make-do as a crib until I can send a couple of servants tomorrow to bring things from the nursery. Lady Rutherford, it has been a pleasure.”

  He bowed and exited the room.

  “Does he always leave so abruptly?” she asked Lord Rose-Reid.

  “That was not abrupt for Whitsnow. Usually you get an ‘I’m off’ sort of grunt and he is gone.”

  “I see. And what did he mean when he said we want to tumble each other?”

  “My lady, Whitsnow does not speak in riddles. He is plain-spoken. Much like his sister of whom he makes much fun. He means…” He stood and walked over to her using one finger under her chin to draw her to her feet. He was standing so close to her, if you ignored the baby in between them. He bowed his head so that his lips were almost touching hers. His breath feathered across her skin. “…we are attracted to each other and we want to be naked and in my bed.”

  “Why your bed and not mine?”

  He smiled. “Because you have not seen your bed yet, so you cannot yet imagine us there.”

  The wail that erupted from Oscar at that moment made Sophia start and try to take a step back, but the chaise she had been sitting on was right behind her and she started to stumble backwards. Lord Rose-Reid’s hand was at her back steadying her and his concerned gaze comforted her as he made sure she was fine.

  She gave him a weak smile.

  “Come, I shall show you to your bed… chamber,” he said in a low, husky voice.

  She could not stay here. She had to think of an alternative plan. But what?

  She would concoct something after dinner. She could stay here one night. They were gentlemen. She was not in any danger. It was just that Lord Rose-Reid was… well he was dangerous in a different way. She could easily fall in love with him. Those blue eyes had such a strong pull for her. And he smelled delicious. As she lay her baby on the bed, she gave him a little sniff. He had on Lord Rose-Reid’s cologne. It was very endearing.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  A knock came at the door and a maid entered.

  “My lady, Lord Whitsnow suggested that you may want a bath and has ordered one for you. I have been assigned to you as a lady’s maid, if you wish. My name is Maggie.”

  “Thank you, Maggie. A bath would be lovely and I would appreciate your help as my lady’s maid.” She wondered if the girl had ever been a lady’s maid before. She wrung her hands nervously. Sophia would not be here for long, so it mattered not and her hair could be styled simply this evening.

  However, by the end of her bath and once she was dressed, Sophia was extremely happy with Maggie’s work. She had even changed the baby and promised to arrange some bread and milk if he had to be fed during dinner. She was sure they could find an acceptable bowl downstairs. Cook and she had discussed how to feed a baby before she had come up, and cook seemed to know exactly what was required.

  Maggie would do well for the time being.

  Chapter 3

  Jason was very aware of Sophia’s presence throughout dinner. And more importantly, of the smirk that lay just beneath the surface of Whitsnow’s benign smile throughout the meal too. Jason had gone to Whitsnow’s room to confront him once he had led the lady up to her room, but either Whitsnow had performed another vanishing trick, or the man had ignored his furious thumps on his door.

  Jason had not liked the way Whitsnow had embarrassed Lady Rutherford even if he’d had the right of it. Jason wanted nothing other than to take Lady Rutherford to his bed and sink into her warm body. Perhaps it had just been too long since he had been inside a woman and he needed a little relief.

  Or perhaps it is her—a little voice in his head called out. He ignored the little voice. It could go to the Devil. She was just a typical widow of the ton. And a relatively new widow. From the way she reacted to him, it seemed she was not terribly well-versed in the ways of the world. She had not parried with him or flirted. She was definitely not looking for a lover. Perhaps it was too soon after the birth of the babe. He had no idea how long women took to recover from these things.

  They had spoken about all the mundane things, the weather, the failure of the crops over the summer, Emily’s wedding, Emily’s impending happy event, Christmas at the Beatties.

  “How long do you think until there shall be a thaw?” Jason asked Whitsnow.

  Whitsnow shrugged. “The sky is still heavy. It has stopped snowing for now, but I think it may snow overnight. Who knows if the tempe
rature drops.”

  “I want to get Lady Rutherford and Lord Rutherford to my estate as soon as possible.”

  “Your estate?”

  “My father’s.”

  “Why would you take them there?” enquired Whitsnow.

  “This is far too close to Rutherford land. Benson will find them here.”

  “And we can defend them.”

  “It is too risky. They are better in the West Ridings of Yorkshire.”

  “And your father?”

  “He lives in the East Wing with servants doing everything for him. There shall be no difficulties there.”

  “And your mother?”

  “She will be delighted to see a baby to fuss over.”

  “She will think you are marrying Lady Rutherford.”

  “She can think what she damn well pleases.”

  “And what does Lady Rutherford think of this?”

  Lady Rutherford put down her knife and fork and wiped her mouth with her napkin.

  “I am not sure. Part of me thinks moving south is a good idea but another part thinks he shall not look for me so close by.”

  “You agreed in my bedchamber.”

  “I did not agree. I did not say anything, my lord.”

  “I thought it was settled.”

  “You thought wrong then, my lord. I need to consider the options.”

  “This is the best option.”

  She stood then and addressed him. “My lord, I shall decide what is best for my son and me. Not you.” She looked at their dinner companion. “Excuse me, Lord Whitsnow. I fear I have lost my appetite. Good evening.”

  “Devil take it,” Jason growled.

  “Leave it,” Whitsnow warned.

  “Why should I? I offer her hospitality and protection and she throws it back in my face.”

  “She is a proud woman. She has been ordered around by men her whole life and now she is free to choose her own path. Allow her to choose you.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Exactly what I said, Reid. Think of her like a skittish horse. Hold out some oats, but don’t force the issue and she shall eventually come right over to you.”

  Jason glowered at his friend.

  “Ridiculous.”

  “No, it will work. Believe me.”

  “Says the bachelor.”

  “Bachelor by choice, dear man. Bachelor by choice.”

  Jason nodded and sipped his wine. She shall eventually come right over to you. It was not bad advice.

  “I shall take her up some tea after and apologise.”

  “Good plan. Always say sorry even when you do not think you have anything to apologise for. They seem to like that.”

  “They do not feel patronised?”

  “Not if it is heartfelt enough.”

  “Hmm. I shall work out what I am sorry about so that it is at least genuine.”

  “Being heavy handed in your dealings with her? Trying to remove her choice from her?”

  “Yes, that will do for starters.”

  “Remember that she must also be scared, and she does not know us. She is merely hoping that because I am a peer, you are the son of a peer and because she knows my sister, that we are honourable. That is a lot of trust to put in two large men who could very easily harm her and her child in the blink of an eye.”

  “I suppose I just assume because it would never cross my mind to harm a woman or child that people know I would not. It doesn’t occur to me that my height, my stature and my very maleness would frighten someone.”

  “You can also be rather dour.”

  “As can you.”

  I blame our masters at Eton. I was a delightful child.”

  “As was I.”

  They both laughed.

  They finished their meal then had their port. When he asked for a tea tray and asked the butler to give it to him, so he could take it to Lady Rutherford, the butler did not raise so much as an eyebrow.

  He was very careful as he climbed the stairs and walked to the door of her bedchamber. Once there, he was not sure how to knock on the door and keep the tray steady.

  “Lady Rutherford?” He called through the door.

  “Yes?”

  “I brought you some tea.”

  “Ask the maid to bring it in then.”

  “I, uh, I can’t. I brought it and I cannot open the door.”

  A moment or two later, a confused looking Lady Rutherford opened the door. Her eyes widened at the sight of him holding the tea tray.

  “Good Lord, you are going to drop it. Give it to me.”

  “I… yes, I am.”

  She removed it from his hands and carried it inside. He followed and then realised she was only in her chemise.

  She turned from laying down the tray and looked at him, then down at her clothing. When she looked back at his face, her cheeks were a delicate shade of pink.

  “I did not bring a nightgown. I could only carry a small bag on the horse with Oscar. A nightgown seemed extravagant.”

  He licked his lips. He could see her nipples through the thin material and the shadow from the nest of curls at the apex of her thighs. He could feel himself hardening.

  “Perhaps I can get you a dressing gown. It will be a little large but it might do. We could have a maid shorten it.”

  “That would be very helpful. It will be cold when I have to get up in the night to feed the baby, when all the fires have gone out. I have a shawl, but it is not quite warm enough and does not cover my arms.”

  “I shall arrange that immediately and hopefully a maid can make sure it is at the bottom of your bed before the entire household is asleep.”

  “It does not matter if it is shortened tonight. I am well acquainted with clothing that trails along the ground. You should have seen the length of my train the day I made my curtsey to the Queen.”

  “But you shall have the baby in your arms.”

  “He shall be fine.”

  “I shall get it now and we can shorten it tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  He hurried out of the room and into his own to find one of his dressing gowns. They were all very manly but he picked a woollen one to give her extra warmth. He hoped that she would like the gesture. He took in to her and laid it on the bed.

  “I hope it is acceptable.”

  “That will do nicely. Thank you,” she said, lifting it and slipping her arms into it. It almost drowned her but once the belt was tied, Jason had a grim sense of satisfaction seeing her in his attire. It was also a little arousing, he realised. There was a certain feeling of having claimed her when he saw her in his dressing gown. Even though she had covered up her beautiful legs and arms and those dark, enticing nipples, he did not mind. Because she was in his clothing. She lifted the collar and sniffed.

  “It smells like you.”

  “It does?” Was that good or bad?

  “Yes, of your cologne and of your… scent.”

  “What is my scent?”

  “I do not know it jus…. mmm it is nice.”

  Damn, the skittish mare was holding out roast pheasant to him. His cock was hard as stone and he could only hope she did not look down at his breeches.

  “I should go.”

  “Are you not staying for tea?”

  “No.” His voice was almost strangled. If he stayed for tea, he would pounce on her and that would not make her feel safe. Damn, his cock was killing him. He needed to be out of here.

  “I shall bid you goodnight.”

  “Oh, yes. Good night, my lord.”

  He wished he could tell her to call him Jason.

  Chapter 4

  Why would he not settle? Weary and distressed, Sophia paced her room again with Oscar, patting him on the bottom. She pulled down the top of her nightgown and offered the fussing baby her breast again. He latched on, took a couple of sucks and then gave a milky cry of disgust.

  He clearly was not hungry.

  A knock sounded at t
he door.

  “Now see what you have done,” she whispered to her crying son. But she was so tired. It was nearly time for the servants to wake. “Come,” she called without thinking about the state of her dishabille.

  “I came to see if all was well.” It was Lord Jason Rose-Reid, looking deliciously mussed and sleepy. Another of his dressing gowns covering his tall, muscled frame, his hair messy and his blue eyes heavy with sleep.

  “I do apologise that Oscar woke you. I am having trouble settling him. He is not hungry, or dirty or wet. He is not hot. I do not think he is cold. Nor is he feverish. I have run out of ideas.”

  “Perhaps his teeth are coming in. My mama says I had teeth coming in when I was three months old. What age is he?”

  “Three months old.”

  “Then perhaps it is that.”

  “I… Well I know that some babies get their teeth at six months. I did not know they could get them earlier.”

  “Apparently. I know not much about babies, but my mother said I was gnawing on things to relieve the pain.”

  “Thank you. I may have to look at ways to help him relive the pain.”

  “A linen soaked in cold water for him to bite on may help.” She raised an eyebrow.

  He chuckled. “My mother did not ever explain how to change the clout on the bottom of a baby. She may not even have known herself, but she did describe in great detail my teeth coming through. I screamed the house down, according to her, my father and half of the household staff. Would you like me to get a handkerchief for you to try?”

  “No, I have one in that drawer, if you would not mind getting it out.”

  He moved to the drawer and it was only then she remembered there were stockings and chemises in that drawer. Oh well, he had seen her in her chemise last evening.

  It was then she glanced down at her son and realised her breast was still exposed. She wanted to groan, but held it in. If Lord Rose-Reid had noticed, he had been gentlemanly enough not to mention it. And she supposed he had seen her breasts before.

  How very lowering.

  He arrived in front of her with a wet handkerchief and touched the baby’s cheeks.

  “That side feels a little warmer. It may be the warmer side where he is suffering. Sophia took over, knowing how to get Oscar to open his mouth, then sliding the wet piece of linen along his gum. He started to chew down on it and though he still grizzled a little, he seemed a lot more settled than he had been.