Whom Shall I Kiss... an Earl, a Marquess, or a Duke?

by Laura A. Barnes

  Chapter Five

  Alex followed the voices down the hallway. Lord Hartridge’s butler Emerson informed him he was to join them in the dining room as they finished their breakfast. As he stood outside the room, he tried to keep a tight rein on his annoyance. His title should have given the butler a reason to announce his presence. Instead, he wandered the unorthodox household in his search for the Hartridge family. When he came upon them, he found them in their normal chaotic routine. Everybody talked at once, each discussing a different topic. How anybody followed the conversations, he held no clue. He would have to grin and bear it while he courted Lady Sidney. Once he established her in his own household, his life would return to normal.

  As he stood in the doorway clearing his throat, the room quieted a bit. Once they noticed him, Lady Hartridge motioned for the servants to grab him a chair. Lord Hartridge bellowed out a greeting while the rest of the family went on with their conversations, which seemed more like arguments. Alex searched the room for Lady Sidney, to draw her away for their ride, when he noticed her head bent in a whispered discussion with Lord Beckwith. She paid him no attention, ignoring his appearance while she sipped her tea and buttered a croissant. Did she also ignore the look Beckwith bestowed her with? Surely, she was not immune to his glances. When she touched the other gentleman’s hand, Alex realized she wasn’t indifferent to his stares. His annoyance grew to anger the longer she didn’t direct her attention toward him.

  Rory wanted to chuckle at Sheffield’s dilemma but didn’t want to make life difficult for Lord Hartridge, or Sidney for that matter. For whatever reason, Sheffield held an interest in his friend, and he wouldn’t take this opportunity away from their family, even though a small part of him wished to prevent the courtship. There were small changes in Sid within the last few days that drew his interest. Subtle changes, but changes nonetheless that opened his eyes to her beauty. Oh, he always thought her lovely. He saw through her plainness ages ago. Their bond of friendship always meant more to him than his attraction to her. Now, he questioned if he should have courted Sidney before.

  He noticed that her smile softened and her arguments held less of an edge. Perhaps it was because of her new dresses, or her auburn hair being curled, or the gentle touch of her hand upon his that left him in doubt. He knew he could not provide for her, and it was unfair to string her along. However, when she released a husky laugh at his joke, he asked himself why not. He stood as much of a chance as the haughty duke in the doorway. Oh, he noticed the man standing there glaring at them. He smiled at Sid as he lay his hand over hers. When he whispered to her on the presence of her date, she met his eyes with a silent message that twinkled her awareness of the duke. With the sparkle in her eyes and her dazzling smile capturing him, he forgot about her agenda and his doubts.

  He sensed she pulled a prank of sorts and wanted to figure it out. Rory wanted to keep her out of trouble, but when she stared upon him as she did, his suspicions fled his mind. He transformed into an interested male and wanted to throw his hat into the competition. Rory decided right then and there he would also pursue Sidney. With the competition of Alexander Langley, the Duke of Sheffield, it would be no easy feat, but it would be one he would endure for her hand. He brought her fingers to his lips and placed a kiss upon her knuckles. He offered her family his good-byes and thanked them for the morning meal. While he would bow out gracefully for now, he would return later to start his courtship.

  “Good day, Sheffield. I hope you enjoy your ride.” Rory tipped his head to the duke on his way down the hallway.

  Sidney smiled as she watched the duke glare at Rory as he left. She could not believe her luck with this experiment. All the gentleman kept falling into her hands, giving her the research she needed without having to seek them out. She witnessed the anger Sheffield tried to hide under his cool demeanor, but she knew different. For she had seen his anger many times, mostly directed at her for her controversial viewpoints. He was definitely furious. She needed to soothe his ego, which was not something the old Sidney would do, but the Sidney who wanted results must appease him.

  “Your Grace, you are earlier than I expected. Please, won’t you join us for breakfast?”

  “My Lady, I have already partaken in breakfast with my grandmother. I thought you would enjoy the ride before it rained for the day.”

  Sidney looked outside and noticed the sky clouding over. “An excellent idea. I shall fetch my bonnet and maid, then we can be on our way.”

  “No need for a maid. I trust Sheffield here with your care. I see no reason to drag Rose away for an uncomfortable ride, considering how she hates horses,” Lord Hartridge instructed.

  “If you’re sure, Papa. I will return shortly, Your Grace.”

  “I am at your convenience, My Lady,” Sheffield replied, his temper calmed at her behavior. She seemed to want to please him.

  Sheffield made small talk with her father while her mother ushered the younger children to the nursery for their studies. When Lady Sidney returned, she went to her father’s side, kissed him on the cheek, and wished him a pleasant day. At that moment, Alex took full notice of her. Her relaxed attitude and affection toward her family highlighted her grace more fully. Her smile was genuine as it lit her face, displaying her beautiful features. It surprised him that he had never noticed her charms before. She put on no airs. This was her true self. Captured in staring at her beauty, she caught him unaware as she stood before him, waiting patiently for his attention. Only when she spoke did he notice the smug glint in her eyes, which she masked with serene indifference. When she gifted him with an innocent smile, he dispelled any hidden agenda. He must have imagined the look.

  “I will have her back within an hour,” Sheffield addressed Lord Hartridge.

  “Whenever, Sheffield.” Lord Hartridge waved them off as he engrossed himself in a newspaper article.

  Sidney laughed as her Papa ignored them. She clutched Sheffield’s arm and guided him outside. When they stood on the sidewalk, she looked above to notice that the sky had darkened. Not wanting to lose out on this opportunity to spend time alone with the duke, she continued onto his curricle. Once she reached the vehicle, Sheffield helped her to sit on the high seat. As she spread out her skirts, Sheffield climbed upon the rig, taking the leads. With a command to his horses, they soon hurried on their ride toward Hyde Park.

  Neither one of them spoke, but smiled at each other when their eyes met. Conversation would have been difficult with their swift pace and the other carriages on the road, unless, they wanted to shout. Soon Sheffield had them trotting along Rotten Row at a much slower pace, negotiating his horses in position behind the other riders. He attempted to hold a private conversation many times, but the other visitors in the park interrupted him. When he tried for the fifth time to engage her with small talk, only to be disturbed again, he steered them off the path toward the exit. It would seem their ride in the park would end sooner than she thought. Instead, Sheffield turned toward a deserted path and pulled his curricle to a stop. He jumped off and came to her side, pulling her down into his arms before she questioned his intentions.

  As she slid along his body, she became aware of his physical strength. Her hands gripped his arms so she wouldn’t fall. His arms were tight, hard muscles. His jacket had no padding, unlike most men of the ton. He held her in his embrace for a few seconds longer than he should have, long enough for her to take notice that the rest of his body was as firm. It seemed the duke was no lightweight dandy, but kept himself in top physical condition. Another strong point in his favor. Sidney admired a man who took care of himself and didn’t waste his time on the pursuits of the unsavory. She knew him to be a man with a scholarly mind but didn’t realize he was one of the physical sorts too.

  Her hands lingered on his forearms as her fingers traced the cords of his muscles through his coat. Unaware of what she did, Sidney became lost in her thoughts. She tried to understand the chemistry she felt toward Sheffield when she heard h
im groan. Startled, she raised her head to see that he watched her hands. They were no longer on his arms but had wandered to his chest and slid across his stomach. Aghast at herself, for her forward nature, she dragged her hands away and stepped out of his grasp. Flustered, she turned away and wandered farther along the wooded path. What had come over her? She pressed her gloved hands to her face to cool off the burn of embarrassment. Rushing away, she stumbled over a tree root, only to have her elbow grasped and righted again. Sheffield stopped her and spun her toward him.

  “Sheffield ...”

  “Alex. Alexander, if you’d like the more proper form. Only my grandmother refers to me by my full name.”

  “Your Grace,” she began again.

  “Alex. Say it, Sidney,” he stressed in the arrogant tone he used when he expected his demands to be granted.

  “As I was saying, Sheffield,” she tried for the third time, but he interrupted her when he drew her into his arms.

  “I don’t think you were saying anything as much as you were touching me, my dear,” he whispered.

  Alex reached to untie her bonnet from under her chin. He swept the hat off her head, and stray curls caressed her face as the wind blew around them. He reached to tuck them behind her ears, his fingers sliding over the silken tresses. When her hands had caressed his body, he felt comfort from her touch. It was no blinding attraction, but it felt nice. He could work with nice. Her hands were gentle, and he sensed her curiosity as she explored. He also realized her reaction embarrassed her, and he wanted to put her at ease. If, along the way, he were able to sample a taste of her, to finalize his decision on her being a perfect match for him, all the better. If her kiss satisfied him, then he could proceed with making arrangements with her father and call off the rest of her suitors.

  He ran his fingers along her cheek and tipped her face under her chin with his knuckles, for their eyes to meet. He began to lower his head for a kiss when he heard his name being called in the distance. She heard it too, for her eyes grew large, and she tried to pull out of his embrace.

  “We will finish this another time,” he informed her before releasing her from his grasp.

  “Sheffield, where are you, old chap?” shouted Wildeburg.

  Sidney gasped when she heard the marquess shouting for Sheffield. She was beyond mortified. The Duke of Sheffield almost kissed her, and another one of her subjects nearly caught her in another man’s embrace. Her research would have been over before it even began. While today she made more progress than the night of the ball, she still needed to gather more evidence. Not only were they almost caught, but they were alone in a wooded area. This would not have been good for her reputation if someone discovered them in each other’s arms. She didn’t wish to be saddled with the duke for a husband. While his touch provided comfort, it did not hold the kind of attraction she desired from the man who would be her husband. She wanted sparks and an undeniable attraction that would never be fulfilled no matter how hard they tried. No, Sheffield wasn’t the gentleman for her.

  Sheffield bent to lift her bonnet from the ground as he ushered Sidney into the clearing toward Wilde’s voice. While he didn’t wish to damage Sidney’s reputation, he wanted Wilde to witness her in his presence. He needed for him to see they spent time alone together. With that, Wilde would realize he didn’t stand a chance with her.

  “Over here, Wilde. We were chasing Lady Sidney’s bonnet. It became loose in the wind and needed rescuing.” The lie easily slipped from his mouth.

  “Who is this Lady Sidney? A delightful creature, I’d imagine, if you are off alone in the woods with her.”

  After his remark, Sidney’s cheeks turned a brighter red. The wrong opinion had already begun to form about her. Furthermore, why did Lord Wildeburg pretend ignorance at the mention of her name? She supplied him with her name in the park yesterday. When she raised her head, she caught Wilde’s eye, whereupon he sent a wink her way.

  “Forgive me, Wilde. I thought you exchanged names when you danced at the ball. Let me introduce you to the lovely Lady Sidney Hartridge. Lady Sidney, my good friend, Marquess Noah Wildeburg.”

  Wilde bowed before her. “A pleasure, My Lady. Sheffield is expressing a tale, for I asked your name at the end of the ball. However, my good friend kept your identity a secret as he tried to beat me in the chase for your hand. I notice he has the lead, so I will have to make a move to pass him soon.”

  “As I remember, you were not interested in courting Lady Sidney, only trifling with her. As a friend of her father’s, I felt it best to protect her from the likes of your attention.”

  “Trifling? Surely not, I would never want to damage a lady’s reputation, especially one of Lady Sidney’s high esteem.”

  “So, you are saying you wish to court her?” inquired Sheffield.

  “Of course. Anything else would be too low for the lovely girl.”

  Sidney’s head swished back and forth as she witnessed the exchange between the two gentlemen. While Sheffield’s patience wore thin by the tone of his voice, Wildeburg’s charm oozed out of him. Clearly these two weren’t fighting over her, were they? The duke’s eyes narrowed as he stepped toward Wildeburg, sending him a silent message. However, the marquess paid no heed to the threat, as he smiled and raised an eyebrow in achieving what he set to accomplish. She kept an eye on the two men as she tied the bonnet on her head. They appeared as two rams ready to lock horns, one tempting the other into a fight.

  “While I am flattered from the attention of the two most sought after bachelors of the ton, I must insist that both of you withdraw your intentions. I would hate to come between two friends. Now, I enjoyed visiting with you again, Lord Wildeburg, but I must get home to Papa. I promised him help on his research today.”

  “Surely, your father can do without your help. I hoped you would take tea with my grandmother this afternoon,” Sheffield said.

  “Perhaps another time. My work with my father is very important to me.”

  “Yes, but once you marry, you cannot aid your father with his research.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, my dear girl, you must take care of your husband and your new home. Your schedule will not permit you to work,” explained Sheffield.

  “I don’t consider it work, but a passion of mine.”

  “Well, your husband will be your new passion.”

  Of all the pompous attitudes, but then again, he was a duke, wasn’t he? Another reason why he would not be a perfect groom for her or Sophia. If Phee were here, she and Sheffield would be in a full-blown argument. Of all the traits Sophia had no interest in, it was a demanding attitude. Sidney would scratch him off her list for both of them; however, he was good material for her research. Sidney needed to rein in her own temper and not comment on his opinions. In the end, it would not be worth it.

  “I disagree, Sheffield. If any woman made her husband feel as loved as I’m sure Lady Sidney would, then what harm would it do for her to enjoy her own hobbies?” interrupted Wildeburg.

  “Research is not a hobby,” Sidney emphasized as she tried to make them understand how important her work was to her.

  “All the more reason you need to chase your dreams,” Wildeburg declared with a charming smile.

  Sheffield noticed that he had lost ground with Lady Sidney. Wilde was displaying his full arsenal of charm. If he didn’t backpedal soon, then he would lose her to a man who only set out to charm her in order to ruin her. There was nothing he could do that would prevent her ruination if Wilde desired her. No lady was immune to him, even one as practical as Lady Sidney. It was best if he kept quiet about his opinion on her research with her father for now. He would demand her devotion once she became his duchess. As his wife, she would have to obey his every command. If Wilde declared his intentions to court her, he would have to press his suit with her father as soon as possible. The time had come for him to return her home, where he would request a private word with Lord Hartridge.

  “If
you will excuse us, Wilde, I need to return Lady Sidney home.” Sheffield offered his arm to Sidney, but Wilde blocked him.

  “It was lovely to make your acquaintance again, My Lady. Until we meet again.” Wilde lifted his hand to tuck a curl behind her ear. “Sorry. A stray curl came loose.”

  “Thank you, My Lord. The pleasure is all mine.” She stepped around Wilde and lay her hand on Sheffield’s arm, where he led them back to his curricle.

  Once Sheffield took off, Sidney recalled their brief interchange. Lord Wildeburg surprised her with his remarks on her research. In truth, every one of his comments confused her. First, he pretended he didn’t recognize her name, and second, his views on a woman’s activities after marriage dumbfounded her. For those were not the views of most men—well, all men really. In society, women were meant to make a home for their husbands and to wait for their attentions. Her father was one of the few men who thought differently. Therefore, in her family, you were raised to follow your dreams. Her own mother did and taught her to do the same. It was the third and final action that flustered her the most.

  When Wildeburg tucked the curl around her ear again, she felt a heat of attraction toward him. Luckily, Sheffield waited for her, or she would have done something as foolish as hold Wildeburg’s hand to her face. Both men today performed the same action, yet she only felt a pull toward one. When Sheffield tucked her hair behind her ear, she felt nothing. Truth be told, she felt annoyed at his audacity to be so familiar with her, even though she had just caressed him. Still, he should have kept his hands to himself. But when Wildeburg completed the same action, his touch ignited a warmth in her that she craved more of. It reminded her of a scene from one of her romance novels. Sidney wanted to release a sigh at the romantic gesture but did not want Sheffield to question her. So, she rode in silence until they arrived at her townhome. As they walked to her front door, Sheffield stopped them on the stoop.