“Well, I suppose,” Greg rested his head in his hand and then raised a finger as realization struck. “How do you feel about your mother, Mary?”
“Now’s not a good time to ask…”
“I’m serious. All anger and frustration aside, how do you feel about her? Do you love her?”
“Well, yes. Of course I do. I love her very much.”
“And,” he continued on, “how do you feel about me? Do you love me?”
She sighed with a soft smile. The thought warmed her heart. “Of course I do, Greg. I love you very much. You know that.” She thought she saw the corners of his mouth twitch but he moved on before she had time to consider it.
“And does loving me change the way you feel about your mother? Or the other way around? Do you love me less for loving her?”
Mary shook her head. “Well, no. But it’s—it’s not the same. I love each of you—” She felt her lips curl up slightly. “Differently. Equally but differently.”
“And one does not make the other impossible or any less powerful?”
“No,” she whispered.
“No,” he whispered too.
Mary smiled and so did Greg and for a moment they sat in silence.
But then Mary thought of something else. “Then what of soul mates?”
“What of them?”
“Do you think it’s possible to have more than one of those?”
“I suppose it depends on what your definition of a soul mate is.”
She decided to open the box. “And what would your definition of a soul mate be?”
“Me again?” He laughed.
“Yes, you.” She smiled. “You were much better at the last question than I was.”
He raised his brow and sipped his tea. “I think I should like to hear your answer.”
“Alright then,” she conceded. “But I can’t promise anything!”
“You shall do just fine, my girl. Go on.”
“Well, I think my definition of a soul mate is very much the same as your definition of love. Soul mates are two people with a very strong connection.” She paused as an idea popped into her head. “In fact I might even say that ‘soul mate’ and ‘love’ are just two phrases for the exact same thing…”
“Meaning?” he prompted.
“Meaning that not only is it entirely possible to love more than one person in your lifetime, it is entirely possible to have more than one soul mate. And entirely possible to have more than one at the same time.” Mary was smiling again at the possibilities of this idea. “Under this definition soul mates can come in all forms: spouses, family, friends, even acquaintances could be soul mates as long as there’s a shared connection and a purpose to be served in each other’s lives. It’s whatever that thing is—that thing that connects the two people—that makes each bond special and unique. And then everything just varies in degrees. “
“How so?”
“Well, not only are all connections different but some connections are stronger than others. That’s the reason some soul mates are lovers and some are friends. But that doesn’t mean that either is less important in your life. Just like the difference between the way I love my mother and the way I love you.”
“So, what you’re saying,” Greg raised an eyebrow, as he smirked, “is that you and I are soul mates.”
Mary made a little hmph noise in her throat as she thought and then she smiled. “Well, yes, I suppose that is what I’m saying. Are you alright with that?”
“Of course.” Greg smiled warmly. “Are you?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Well, alright then,” Greg nodded.
“Yes. Alright.”
And sometime later that morning as The Dowager Countess of Glastonbury became the Marchioness of Brandon, Mary looked on lovingly as Greg stood by her side like always.
And that was also when Mary realized that the way her mother looked at Lord Brandon was not at all the same way that she had looked at Mary’s father. The looks were similar, yes, but only because both looks were looks of love. Mary had only thought they were the same look because she didn’t know what to look for. She never knew—well, she supposed on second thought, she did know, she just didn’t realized it—that love came in so many different forms.
Love was multi-faceted and multi-layered.
And it was everywhere.
Greg reached over and squeezed her hand, imparting in her some strength that she did not possess in her own right.
Everywhere. Like right here.
She was glad for this love.
And when she squeezed his hand back she knew that he was glad too.
Chapter 6
Summer 1817
It rained every day that Greg was out of town.
It was as if the universe knew of Mary’s good fortune and of her plans and had waited to open the skies until the exact moment that Greg left the city.
The universe obviously didn’t know her that well, Mary mused. And with that, she readied herself against the elements with sensible shoes and stockings and a heavy wrap to cover her head. It was going to take more than a little rain to stop her from doing as she wished.
She tapped her toe furiously as the carriage bumped along the road.
Mary normally waited until the stars were out before she left for a party, but when she stepped outside of the carriage the soft glow of the sun was still peeking through the rain on the edge of the horizon.
She was acting a fool. But not too foolish, she told herself.
Priscilla disagreed.
“Am I seeing things?” Priscilla put her palm against her cheek and looked around as if she was confused.
“Seeing things? Priscilla—”
Priscilla gestured towards the window. “Why yes. The sun. I thought I saw—” she walked over to the window and pulled aside a drape to look outside. “Why yes I did. It’s raining but you can still see it. The sun. You do see that, Lady Mary? The sun it still out.”
“Lady?” For a moment Mary forgot all but that word.
“Well, you certainly can’t be my dear friend Mary…” Priscilla clasped her hands in front of her as a mischievous look spread across her face.
“Since when do you call me ‘lady’?” Mary asked again.
“Since when do you arrive at a party before the setting sun?”
“Well, you’re here aren’t you?” Mary spouted defensively.
“It’s my party, Lady Mary,” Priscilla said with a wry smile.
“I knew that.” Mary crossed her arms. “And stop calling me… Lady.”
“Of course, Lady Mary,” Priscilla said playfully as Mary shot her a dirty look. “Just answer me one question.”
“And, what, pray tell, is that?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Priscilla teased as she leaned into Mary.
Mary felt her cheeks flush and instead of answering she crossed her arms defiantly and turned away.
“You’re here to see him, aren’t you?” Priscilla’s eyes sparkled as she gauged Mary’s reaction. “Oh, you are! Aren’t you? How marvelous!” Priscilla laughed devilishly.
Mary sighed and gave in. She thought she was a fool earlier but she was a real fool to think she could hide something like this from Priscilla. “You are too wicked.”
“Oh Mary. One can never be too wicked.” Priscilla winked and looped her arm through Mary’s, leading her.
“Where are we are going?” Mary turned her head and looked around as they walked. She was surprised that so many people were already in attendance, but then again, not everyone had motives of the night like her.
She scanned the guests more carefully. Who was she looking for though? Mary wanted to pretend that she didn’t know the answer to this question but she did. She very much did. Which lead to another, more interesting question.
Why? Mary asked herself. Why?
It was an important question, to be sure but Mary’s head and chest were too f
ull of heat and her belly was too full of butterflies.
“You’re not the only wicked, early bird tonight,” Priscilla said as they came to a standstill. She pointed across the room, and even through the immense crow, Mary’s eyes found him immediately.
Priscilla gave Mary a bold shove. “What are you waiting for… lady.”
***
“It appears I am not a complete failure after all,” Lord Hampton pondered.
“You’re braving this lot,” Mary gestured around the room. “No one’s a failure who can do that.”
“Why thank you, my girl. But that wasn’t what I was getting at.” He smiled at her.
Mary was warming up to that endearment as heard from his lips, but it still didn’t stop her from looking over her shoulder for another every time he said it. But she pushed off the feelings, determined not to let Greg intrude on her night from afar.
“Then what are you getting at Lord Hampton, if I might be so bold as to ask?”
“Oh, your boldness is always welcome around me, Lady Mary. In fact, I must say that I prefer it.”
“Prefer it?” Mary nearly choked on her drink but she felt delighted none the less. “You are a special one, aren’t you?”
“More special than you know.” Lord Hampton titled his head and looked at her through hooded eyes that made her flush. “Would you… like to know?”
“More than that. I’d love to know.” Mary set her eyes with his and her heart skipped. “But first I’d like an answer.”
“Green. Seventy-three. Tuesday.”
“What?” Mary laughed.
“You wanted an answer.”
“And?”
“Well, you didn’t specify a question.”
Mary playfully pushed against his arm and when she touched him they exchanged a look that gave her chills. She pulled her hand back. “I was referring to your own statement about not being a failure. Why aren’t you a failure, Lord Hampton? Besides the obvious that is…”
“Yes. That. Well, because…” Lord Hampton twisted his mouth. “Because of you, Lady Mary.”
“Me?” She laughed.
“You came back. To talk to me, I mean. And…”
“And what?”
“Well, the sun is only just going down…”
“That I did and that it is. But how do you know about my normal activities, Lord Hampton? Have you been spying on me?” she teased.
He laughed nervously. “Your friend. The… the… oh you know the one…”
Mary let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes. Priscilla is hard to explain isn’t she?”
“But not quite as hard to explain as you.”
Mary gasped.
“No, that’s a good thing. I assure you!”
“You flatter me too much, Lord Hampton.”
“Oh, well that would be impossible.” He smiled impishly. “And please. Call me Brad. My friends do and always have, and I wish for you to be my friend. That is—” He cleared his throat to hide the small crack in his voice. “That is if you would like to be. I know I’d like a friend who speaks as boldly as you do. It appears one needs a sharp tongue in this world and as I don’t have a sharp tongue of my own, perhaps I can make use of yours.” He pressed his lips together tightly. “Oh—oh, bollocks—that’s not what I—Do you see why I need help now?”
He laughed heartily. “Again, please forgive my manners… and my mouth that speaks ahead of my brain.”
Mary exhaled deeply as she set her eyes squarely on him. “No fear. I forgive your mouth. As for the rest of it,” Mary gestured her hand in front of her flippantly. “No need for that. If anything, it is I who should be asking for forgiveness…”
“Is that so?” He raised an eyebrow.
“The staring?” Mary winced. “We never resolved that the last time we spoke. Because of me you thought you had something on your face and you felt embarrassed…”
“Oh, yes. That.” Brad titled his head to the side and curled his lips. “I had forgotten about that but now… I fear my curiosity is peaked. Why were you staring if not for something on my face?”
“Oh, I—” Mary cleared and cursed herself for bringing up the moment again. “You had nothing on your face.”
“We have established that. But there must be some reason. The free-speaking Mary is suddenly tight lipped.” He paused and considered his next words, smiling greatly as he spoke them. “Is it because I’m so devilishly handsome? That must be it. It’s because I’m just so irresistible, is it not?”
Mary threw her hands to her mouth to catch her laugh. She had no such luck. “My—my lord—”
“Brad. And you didn’t have to laugh. A simple ‘no’ would have sufficed.” He smirked and his eyes began to twinkle.
“Brad.” She nodded as she smirked as well. “I shall call you by your given name, if you wish. But all the same… we’ve only just met! What a thing to say!” Normally she wouldn’t have cared but right now, she felt like being difficult.
“Yet, staring at me until your face turns red and flushed is an appropriate thing to do?”
Mary’s jaw fell and she did not answer. She hadn’t expected him to want to be difficult as well.
“I may be green and new but I am a man…”
“My lord!” Mary couldn’t believe her ears. She loved this type of game play but it was oh so rare that her sentiments were returned.
He pinched his lips together. “Forgive me, Lady Mary.”
“Mary.” She gave him that.
“Mary. I do whole heartedly apologize. I am too green for my own good. And I don’t know how these things work.” His voice was a low murmur now.
“These things?” Her spirit fell a bit as she began to realize that just because he was new did not mean he was unaware. He must have heard something. Something about her. She still hadn’t figured out yet just exactly where she wanted this venture with him to go, but then she remembered the look on his face when she told him her name. Perhaps he had his own ideas of where they were headed…
“Oh, I—I didn’t realize that you—what have you heard?” she asked bluntly. She wanted to make absolutely sure.
“Heard?” He raised a brow in clear confusion. “About what?”
“About me,” Mary fished. “What have you heard about me?”
“About you? Well, I—” The space between his eyebrows scrunched together tightly. “Whatever do you mean? What is it that I should have heard about you? Is there—”
“Oh, nothing at all!” Mary interjected quickly as she tried to cover her tracks. “It was just that the way you approached me, and the way you spoke just now, I feared some sort of rumor was spinning around about me. I didn’t wish you to get the wrong idea…”
Brad moved closer to her now. “A rumor? Are there rumors following you about, Lady Mary? I must admit that I have a secret weakness for a good scandal…”
“Just Mary, please,” she added off handedly. “And it was just a pondering. An idea…”
“And what idea would that be?” He paused and looked at her rakishly. “Mary.”
She liked the way her name sounded when he said it. It rolled off his tongue smoothly. He was clearly English but her acute ear detected an old influence of Scottish. The letter “r” in her name vibrated in his mouth and it made her feel as if she was vibrating too.
“That you would like it very much if there were rumors following me,” she finally said.
“Oh dear lord, why ever would I want that?” He let out a loud breath that was mixed with a chuckle.
“Well, isn’t it obvious?” she asked.
“There’s something obvious about all of this?”
“Oh.” Mary lowered her head in embarrassment. “If someone didn’t know it would look as if I am the green one.”
“What is it?” Brad prompted.
He obviously hadn’t heard anything about her, and so Mary sighed deeply as she sought a way to move the talk of rumors from her to him.
“Well, beca
use of your title and the—the—the controversy surrounding it,” she finally said. “Perhaps you’d love to have some company in scandal… I wouldn’t blame you. I’d have to say that—”
“Ah. So forward. There’s the Mary whose presence had me so enthralled…” Brad shook his head quickly and gestured his hand in dismissal then. “But I don’t care about that. I cannot control what others think. And truth be told, I would say the only thing scandalous about this situation is that people care so much about it! It’s just idle gossip that makes for a good story: rags to riches, an unexpected title gain. Everyone loves a good tale. But I imagine I will fade into obscurity in no time at all, just as soon as something more ‘scandalous’ comes along… Anyway,” he cleared his throat as he set his eyes back on her and his original train of thought. “My intentions are slightly less scandalous…”
“Only slightly?” She smirked and so did he.
“I simply want—” He paused and pursed his mouth.
“You want what?” Mary threw her hands over her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. You don’t have to say…”
“No, don’t worry. It’s fine.” He smiled at her as he gently brushed a hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.
She shivered and he smiled. She hoped the two were connected.
“I simply want a companion. Is that too much to ask?” he inquired.
“Well, I suppose that depends on what you mean by a companion. There are many types of companions…”
“That is very true…” Brad stepped in closer and breathed deeply.
His exhale sent a wash of warm breath across her face that caused her to tremble. She could not deny what was happening even if she didn’t completely understand exactly what it was.
“I should like a companion to help guide me through this strange new world I find myself in. Do you know anyone that could do something like that?” Brad asked her.
Mary swallowed a lump in her throat. “Oh, I should think that any of the older lords would be more than delighted to take you under their wing—”
Wicked Game 02 - Something Wicked Page 9