by Wendy Vella
“Do any of you know that man?”
All eyes followed Alex’s finger, and at that precise moment the man turned and looked directly at him. Noting he was focus of their attention, he looked away and started to leave. Alex got to his feet quickly, intent on speaking with the man, but when he reached the street, there was no sign of him.
“Alex?”
“’Tis all right,” he told his brothers, waving them back inside. “I saw him outside Madame Alexander’s and thought his behavior suspicious, and to find him here seems more than a coincidence.”
“If he is here also, that would suggest it is you that he is following,” Finn said, looking worried. “Is there a reason for him too?”
“Nothing I can think of, but I shall take care, Finn,” Alex said, wishing he had said nothing. His eldest brother had never stopped worrying about him and Ben. “It is probably nothing.”
As the conversation flowed again, he thought about the man and why he had been in the same place as Alex twice, and could come up with no answer. The problem was that since that day in the park when Hannah received the first note, he had been unsettled, as if he were waiting for something to happen, and her reaction at Madame Alexander’s had not alleviated that worry; in fact it had increased it. He was certain she was in trouble, and the coincidence of having that man appear was disturbing. He needed to speak with her again and soon, and this time he’d sit on her until she gave him the answers if he had to. His eyes nearly crossed at the thought of straddling her slender body again. He wanted her, and that want had been steadily increasing since their first kiss, even though the majority of time he spent with her he wanted to howl in frustration or shake her.
What is going on with you, Miss Wooller? Alex wondered. He would find out; he would just have to be sneakier than her to do so.
Hannah had felt guilty before in her life, but never had she felt the heavy aching kind she carried now. She always tried to treat people with kindness, well, at least when they deserved it. She knew her temperament was, at best, termed agreeable and she would add to that, sometimes, but for the most she rubbed along with whoever she met. Occasionally she did things impulsively and regretted it, but this, what she had done to Alex, was terrible, worse than terrible. In the five days since their confrontation at Madame Alexander’s she had realized that their supposed blossoming relationship had become something of a runaway carriage.
Their friends and family talked of them as a couple now. People who she had simply passed an odd word or two with, and others who usually snubbed her, had also come to that decision, and suddenly after years of being ignored she was now someone worthy of their time. Hannah had never wanted to be popular, just accepted, and now she was because of Alex. It seemed all wrong. There is no pleasing some people, she thought.
Both she and Alex had been on their best behavior since the incident at Madame Alexander’s, and he had not mentioned the note again, but she knew he had not forgotten it and was simply waiting for the moment to present itself before he would question her once more. He had been kind and attentive since that day and not once had he shown the anger that must still be smoldering inside him over her behavior. She’d bitten him, for heaven’s sake, behaved no better than an animal, and she was still deeply ashamed.
“You look pensive, my sweet.”
“There is no need to act when we are alone, Alex.” Hannah looked across the carriage to where he sat. His dark hair was tousled and not, as usual, smooth and sleek. His white shirt and necktie were crisp and pristine, and the midnight-blue jacket molded to his broad shoulders. His waistcoat that evening was blue satin shot with silver. He was taking her to the Gemmell masked ball, and they were scandalously alone.
“Forgive me I find it hard to fall in and out of character.”
“Yes, well,” Hannah said as more guilt settled on her shoulders, “I’m sorry my father had last minute business to attend to and will meet us there.”
“I hope it is not serious, Hannah?”
“No, something to do with one of his buildings, I believe.”
Hannah could have happily stayed in her room this evening, hidden from society, and would have done so had Alex not insisted she accompany him. She would be forced to mingle with the guests, some of whom she knew and loved, but would rather not see at this precise moment in her life; others she did not. She had thought herself quite a good actor once, but not now, she realized that it took a great deal of skill that she most certainly did not have.
“I—ah, Alex, how is your arm?” Hannah said when the silence between them became uncomfortable, well for her at least. Alex seemed more than happy.
“Infected. Apparently your teeth can inflict the same amount of pain and disease as those of an animal. The doctor thinks I may lose it, but we are holding out hope.”
She went cold, and then realized he was telling her falsehoods, which would have been obvious had she been thinking straight. “I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did.” He looked out the window and she wondered why she had never noticed the determined line of his jaw before.
“Alex, I’ve been thinking.” She avoided his piercing blue eyes as he swung his gaze from the window and fixed it on her, instead focusing on his left ear. She’d known this man for years, and yes, she’d always been attracted to him, but never uncomfortable. Now, since the note, lies, and yes, the kisses, she was.
“I dislike it intensely when you start any conversation with the words ‘I’ve been thinking,’ Hannah. It does not usually bode well for anyone, most especially me.”
She swallowed the impulse to poke out her tongue.
“I think I should simply say I have realized I no longer care for you, and either accept another man to marry or leave society.”
“You cannot be serious?”
She saw the anger again as he moved to the edge of his seat, so close to her now that she could smell the scent on his warm skin.
“I am serious. This has gone on long enough, and I will not allow you to continue with this lie on my behalf.” Added to that was the fact that she was uncertain what was going to happen at her meeting with the blackmailer, and she feared he was going to increase his demands. She did not want Alex involved in that.
“But I wish to continue with it, Hannah, as I am now able to walk through a ballroom without being set upon by woman of all ages, and men who want to extoll the virtues of their unmarried daughters.”
She had the ridiculous urge to trace the edge of one cheekbone and then test the texture of the skin on his chin where he’d been shaved.
“You are an honorable man, Alex. I hate that you are telling your family falsehoods.” And she hated lying to her father and Bridgette, and then there was Phoebe, who was excited about the prospect that one day they may be sisters-in-law.
“I’m not, actually, but thank you for saying so.” He was smiling at her now. “I once took a considerable amount of money off someone in a card game without a shred of guilt, and then stole his horse to ride away on.”
“I don’t believe you,” Hannah scoffed.
“Are you calling me a liar, Miss Wooller?”
“When did you do this dreadful deed?”
“Five years ago. Actually, Ben and I both did it.”
“You’re serious,” Hannah realized.
“Of course.” He looked affronted. “I would never lie to you.”
“Of course you would if it strengthened a point.”
“Perhaps, but only in business, never anything important,” he conceded.
“You should never lie to me!”
“Are you telling me that every word that spills from your lovely mouth is the truth? Because I will point out that you lied to me when you told me that note you received at Madame Alexander’s was from Bridgette.”
“I don’t want to talk about that.” Hannah felt heat fill her bones as he looked at her lips. He thought she had a lovely mouth. “All right, you win, not every word is the absolute tru
th.”
The look in his eyes made her heart start thumping. “Alex, we have to stop this now.” His face appeared calm, but that was something else she had learned about Alex since they had begun this charade: he could hide his feelings well, and there was also the matter of his temper.
For as long as she’d known him he’d managed to hide his temper from her. Hannah had certainly antagonized him enough in the past, but Alex had simply gritted his teeth, said a few cutting words back, and walked away. But she’d heard and felt his anger that day in the park when she’d fallen in the river, and again when she’d run from him. Then there was that moment when Lord McDonald had confronted her, trying to entice her into accepting a drive in his curricle. She’d thought Alex capable of punching the man.
“There is a great deal more to you, Alexander Hetherington, than I had originally thought. Furthermore, I’ve come to a few conclusions about you over the last few days.”
“Enlighten me as to what you believe you have learned then, Miss Wooller.” He still sat on the edge of the seat, hands resting between his thighs, face expectant as he looked at her.
“I thought you only a darling of the ton, the man with a ready compliment and a witticism, the man everyone loves—”
“I assure you everyone does love me.”
“You know what I mean, Alex. You’re hiding your true self.”
“I have no idea what you are alluding to, Hannah.” The change in his expression was subtle, but suddenly he was watching her intently, blue eyes now focused. She realized he knew exactly what she meant, but had perfected the art of looking as if his thoughts were no more taxing than ensuring his necktie was perfectly set.
“I heard you speaking to Will; you were discussing some kind of business venture. I heard the words shops and fashion establishments in the plural sense, meaning more than one.”
“I am aware what plural means, my sweet.”
“And now you’re trying to throw me off the subject with your endearments.”
His smile reached his eyes and showed off his white teeth, and she refused to acknowledge how handsome it made him look.
“You show the world this facade.”
“Surely not the entire world?”
“Offering kindness and empathy,” Hannah continued ignoring him, “as if nothing taxes you because you do not give much thought to anything but your social life and clothing.”
“All true, to be fair, and I am all that is kind and empathetic, ask anyone,” he added. However, his voice was not quite so relaxed anymore.
“You are a businessman, aren’t you? You have interests, and a temper, and in fact are nothing like the man you portray to the world. You’re more like Finn than any of us realize.”
“Unlike you, who is exactly as she portrays herself to be,” Alex said. “Belligerent, antagonistic, short-tempered—”
“Yes, yes, I get the picture, thank you, Alex, but we are not talking of me.” Hannah withstood his piercing stare, trying to keep her expression calm.
“I admit I do have a temper upon occasion, and sometimes it takes all my efforts to keep it harnessed,” he conceded. “Especially in the face of some of the idiocy that I am forced to witness upon occasion.”
“I hope you are not lumping me in with that idiocy?” Hannah found her first real smile in days. Alex was frowning. Instead of looking calm and composed as he usually did, he now looked grumpy.
“Why is it that you are smiling in the face of that admission? Do my many faults and sullen mood make you happy?”
“It makes you human,” Hannah said, still smiling.
“Whereas before I was…?”
“Complacent, immaculate. You always say the right thing to the right person.”
His eyes narrowed. “You make that sound like it’s a fault.”
“Don’t you get sick of it?”
“What?” He frowned, but Hannah knew he was aware of her meaning.
“Being nice to everyone but me. Being Mr. Hetherington—”
“I can hardly change that,” he interrupted her, “and I am nice to you when you do not make being nice extremely difficult.”
“Being the perfect Mr. Hetherington who always looks exactly so,” Hannah added, ignoring his words. “The man who compliments women as easily as others draw breath. I once told Phoebe you should be renamed Mr. Charming.”
“Is there a reason I’m under attack? Correct me if I have this wrong, but I’m doing you a bloody huge favor!” He was growling now, as a large dog would. “You’re an ungrateful wench, is what you are. I should simply walk into the ballroom this evening and announce to the world what a fraud you are!”
Hannah knew it was wrong of her to enjoy seeing him this way, but she did, because it was the real Alexander Hetherington.
“I will state that you manipulated me and I, a complacent and immaculate man with obviously little else to recommend me, could do little but submit to your cunning plan.”
“A touch dramatic, but worth it just to see you lose your temper again.” Hannah smiled. “In fairness, Alex, you probably should do as you say; it is no more than I deserve.”
“You provoked me just to see me lose control, didn’t you?”
He moved so quickly she couldn’t defend herself and seconds later she was in his lap.
“Alex, let me go!”
“You poked the beast, Miss Wooller, now pay the price.”
She struggled against him, but he simply wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. Seconds later he was kissing her. It was hard and their teeth clashed and Hannah, who had come to realize just how much she loved his kisses, fisted one hand in his hair and held him closer.
“God, Hannah, your mouth is wonderful,” he rasped against her lips before kissing her again. There was no room between them, her chest now pressed to his while they kissed each other furiously. They dragged in air whatever way they could. Seconds, minutes, Hannah lost all thought but this man. His scent, the feel of his strong body beneath hers. Her head swam as he touched her neck, his finger toying with the edge of her bodice, tracing the swells that rose above, and heat filled Hannah’s body. He slipped a finger inside and touched her breast, just inches from the tight bud of her nipple.
“Alex.” Hannah sighed. She could almost feel the delicious heat of his palm cupping her flesh, and wanted it desperately.
“We have to stop, Hannah.” His words were spoken into her neck, and she felt him inhale deeply. “Your lush body and delicious mouth incite me.” She shuddered as his tongue licked the lobe of her ear. “So we have to stop before I cannot.”
“Must w-we?” She tried to think, but dragging in a breath only pressed her closer to him.
“Yes, loath as I am to stop, we cannot continue.” He lifted her and placed her on the seat opposite, and Hannah could not drag her eyes from the passion she saw blazing in his eyes. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. It was a heady thought.
“I won’t apologize.”
She listened to the steady clip-clop of hooves for several tense seconds before she answered him. “I would not ask you to, when I-I enjoyed the kiss as much as you. But I am sorry for provoking you. I fear that of late I am not myself and have turned even more shrewish. Forgive me, Alex, I seem to be either antagonizing you or in a sullen mood, and it is not like me. In fact, I wish I could take back those words I said to my father about our relationship, and we were once again the people we were.” Because I fear we never will be again, she added silently.
His breathing was ragged, his hair mussed, and those small imperfections in a man who rarely had them told her how much he, like she, was affected by what they had shared.
“Forgive me for my actions also, Hannah. It seems you are correct, I do have a temper and you tweaked it. It will not happen again.”
“The fault is mine, not yours, Alex, and I shall endeavor in future to be better behaved.”
His lips tilted upward. “The perfect lady? Somehow I doubt you are ca
pable of that, Miss Wooller.”
“Alex, I said earlier that we should stop this, and now more than ever I believe that. I am making you unhappy, and I never wanted that. And now this.” Hannah waved her hand around. “After tonight I will put a stop to this, because I fear it will soon be too late to minimize the damage that has already been done between us and in the eyes of society. People are already talking of us in marital terms and that will not do.”
“You will not. We will see this out until the end of the season, and I want to hear nothing more on the matter, Hannah.” His jaw was clenched. “We have an agreement, and I expect you to honor it as will I.”
“But—”
“It is done, and I do not wish to speak of it again.”
Hannah said nothing further, but in her heart she knew that she had to stop this soon, before it was impossible to do so without a scandal. She was not concerned for herself, but Alex deserved more. He was one of society’s favorite sons and she had no wish to be responsible for changing that.
When the carriage drew to a halt, she prepared to leave, but Alex’s hands stopped her.
“You would create quite the sensation arriving like that, my sweet.” His hands adjusted her bodice, tugging it higher.
“You did not think to tell me that before now?” She looked down to where his hands were adjusting a band of lace.
His eyes were wicked, but he remained silent, simply releasing her to step from the carriage before holding out a hand for her to follow. She attempted to sail past him, but he simply took her hand and rested it on his arm, and together they entered the house.
“I hate wearing masks.” Alex moaned as he bent so she could tie a black one to his head minutes later.
“I quite like the anonymity,” Hannah said, selecting white and handing it to Alex for him to do the same.
“Gemmell must always outdo everyone,” Alex whispered to her as they entered the ballroom and skirted the room. There was a tower of champagne glasses before them, and beneath were servants dressed in gold-and-black livery.
“Do you remember last year they attempted to make everyone remove their footwear and sit on the floor on large silk pillows?”