When a Rogue Falls
Page 72
“Let me reassure you, Lord Ailesbury—Jasper—is a kind man. I was well cared for while at Faversham Abbey, as Poppy and Maxwell can verify.” Why did she feel the need to offer such support in Jasper’s favor? Nothing untoward had occurred during her stay in Kent—not that Adeline hadn’t daydreamed of very inappropriate things; though that was something she would not speak of with her brother present. Maybe one day in the distant future, she, Theo, Josie, and Georgie would all chat about it in hushed tones as Adeline regaled them with tales from the Abbey. “Besides, I dare say you could learn a lesson or two from the earl.”
“Be that as it may,” Alistair said through clenched teeth. “As your guardian and the head of this family, I have a duty to keep the reputation of all under this roof above gossip and speculation—or risk seeing us all ruined.”
“Adeline, please understand the immense burden placed on your brother this past year—and even before that,” Theo said, coming to her husband’s defense once more. “With your mother in a persistent state of mourning, his responsibilities to Abel, Amelia, Adelaide, Arabella, Ainsley, Alfred, Adrian—and you—have been fairly crushing.”
“And I do not have the time to contend with your childish escapades and flights of fancy.” Alistair slammed the ledger closed and turned to return it to its place on the shelf to his left.
“Then it is advantageous for everyone concerned that I will reach the age of majority in a fortnight and will no longer be in need of a guardian,” Adeline snapped, her brother’s back immediately stiffening at her callous remark. “At that point, I will endeavor to remove at least some burden from you, dear brother.”
“You cannot mean that—“
“Oh, but I do, Alistair,” Adeline responded, pushing from her chair.
“Thankfully, I am still within my rights, for at least the next fortnight, to send you to your chambers.”
“I would like to see you try.”
“Come now, the pair of you are acting as if you loathe one another,” Theo cut in.
Adeline held her brother’s narrowed glare for a moment longer but sighed and turned to Theo. “I do not, nor have I ever, loathed my brother. However, his high-handed nature has resurfaced of late, and I find it trying on my nerves.”
“Trying on your nerves?” Alistair boomed.
“Stop!” Theo commanded, jabbing her finger at her husband and then toward Adeline. “The pair of you are so similar you fail to see you both have need to be in control.” Adeline blinked several times and refocused on Theo, shocked at the woman’s outburst. “However, allow me to tell you both something. Until Adeline’s birthday celebration is over—and it is deemed a success—I am in control. Josie, Georgie, and I have worked ourselves to the very bone putting together this grand event, and I will not have the likes of either of you ruining it. Do I make myself clear?”
Theo’s brow pulled low as she turned her glare on both Adeline and Alistair.
They both nodded in unison.
“Very good,” Theo said, the tension draining from her shoulders. “Now, Adeline, if you will kindly accompany me to the drawing room, I will show you what we have planned for your special day.”
Her friend did not wait for Adeline to answer but marched from the room, leaving the door open, as if fully expecting Adeline to follow.
Which she did, with all due haste.
Chapter 18
JASPER WALKED THROUGH yet another tall patch of grass. The dew and moisture from the early morning drizzle clung to his new Hessians and threatened to sully his freshly tailored trousers as he explored the far reaches of Regent’s Park for Adeline. He’d questioned his servants the previous night, and departed in the required time to arrive at the park with a bit of time to spare. Thankfully, he had because he’d been searching every grassy meadow and grove of trees in the blasted park for nearly a half hour.
Bloody hell.
His foot caught on a clump of roots, splattering dirt up his pant leg and knocking him off balance.
Jasper quickly gained his footing and stomped around another cluster of trees.
Why had he agreed to meet Adeline at all?
Though he’d made the decision and would uphold his promise, it hadn’t been necessary to request an appropriate shirt, trousers, and jacket for the outing—yet, request them he had. The tailor recommended by Lord Melton had been all too happy to assist his new client in preparing for his first ball in London—and rushing several other garments, as well. Jasper was little more than a debutante praying her new gowns arrived before her grand entrance into society.
Nodding to two gentlemen on horseback, Jasper spotted the trail the man had come from and a clearing beyond. Certainly, he was close to reaching the far end of the park by now—and the ache in his feet from his stiff boots would make the return trek unpleasant, to say the least.
He should have requested a horse for the trip instead of his coach.
Or, at least insist that his driver, George, accompany him into the park. Though he knew the risks of leaving his coach and horses unattended.
From Lord Melton’s attitude the previous day, Jasper could not believe the man would allow his sister time in the park unchaperoned. However, the viscount had sent her to the country without benefit of a well-maintained carriage. Adeline’s elder brother was not capable of anything in Jasper’s mind.
He felt his temperature rise at the thought of the man’s reckless disregard for Adeline’s safety. She was a proper lady, after all, and to send her to Kent without a second thought was irresponsible and highly careless.
Jasper would speak with the man about holding Adeline in higher esteem. Either that or find a proper mate for her and allow that man to care for her properly.
If Jasper were to wed a woman like Adeline—
He shook his head to dispel the preposterous thought.
He would never wed Adeline…or any woman like her.
If his short time in London had taught him anything, it was that Jasper did not belong in her world. She was used to catering servants, fancy clothes, days spent shopping, and nights spent at the opera or in a crowded ballroom.
Jasper was more attuned to days at the plant, laboring over business, and nights spent finding his bed shortly after sunset and falling into fitful bouts of sleep—alone.
She was the beauty in every room.
He was the darkness that clung to the shadows.
There was little more Jasper deserved than to be shut away at Faversham Abbey.
Female laughter floated on the breeze, reaching Jasper as he arrived at a large expanse of meadow. Across the rolling lawn, he spied four women, Adeline among them.
His initial response was to turn around and flee. Hurry back to his carriage as quickly as possible, and send his regards to Adeline about missing her at the park.
Unfortunately, his mind did not convey the urgency to his legs, and Adeline spotted him before he could leave. She waved and began in his direction, her bow slung over her shoulder. As she grew closer, he noted the back of her skirts had been pulled through her legs and tucked in to a makeshift belt at her waist, making it appear as if she wore wide-legged pants.
Behind her, three women paused and stared in his direction.
These must be the women she’d spoken of while at Faversham, her schoolmates from Canterbury. He did recognize the dark-haired woman from the previous day, Lady Melton.
“Lord Ailesbury,” Adeline called as she grew closer. “Welcome!”
“Miss Adeline,” he bowed as she stopped before him. “It is an honor to see you again.”
She linked her arm through his and pulled him toward her waiting friends. “Do relax, Jasper. No one can hear us. I am glad you came, and I apologize for my brother’s impolite behavior yesterday.”
“Well, I am certain he was worried about you.”
“As a man watches over his prized livestock,” she said with a laugh.
Not a thing about her comment struck Jasper as comical.
No footmen or chaperones lingered within sight.
The foursome was all but alone in the park.
Lady Melton sent a smile his way, and Jasper nodded in greeting. Another dark-haired woman kept her stare trained on the ground as she slipped behind Lady Melton. The fourth woman, blond-haired with an upturned nose, inspected him from head to toe and back again. With a sniff, she seemed to accept what she saw.
“Lord Ailesbury,” Adeline said, her tone bouncing with merriment. “Allow me to introduce my dear sister by marriage, Lady Theodora Melton, whom you met yesterday. And the Ladies Georgina and Josephine.” She indicated each woman in turn. “Ladies, please welcome Lord Ailesbury to our morning archery practice.”
“It is lovely to see you again, my lord,” Lady Melton said, inclining her head.
“We have heard much about you,” the blond woman, Lady Georgina, all but purred.
“I certainly hope they were all positive things,” he replied.
The woman who cowered behind Lady Melton squeaked, and her eyes lifted, showing her wide stare.
Jasper cleared his throat, nervous that he’d made an unfavorable first impression. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. Adeline—errr, Miss Adeline—spoke highly of you all during her time at Faversham Abbey.”
At his side, Adeline’s stare dipped to the ground, and her cheeks blossomed with heat.
Had he caused her embarrassment?
“Adeline spoke of your skill with a bow, though, I must confess, hunting is not the same as target practice or competing before large crowds of spectators.” It was Lady Melton who spoke.
“My lady—“
“Please, call me Theo,” she said. “It is preferable among friends.”
With a bit of shock, Jasper realized this doubled his number of friends in London. “Theo, I can assure you, finding myself the center of attention is not so far out of a normal occurrence for me.” It had been the way of things every time he departed the Abbey and journeyed to the plant or into town. London was to be no different. He reached up and adjusted the collar of his jacket where it did an admirable job of hiding his scars. “While I have never plied my talents to target practice, I can assure you my people have never suffered a single day of hunger.”
“Hunting?” Lady Josephine clutched her neck as the color drained from her face. “I could never bring myself to harm a poor, defenseless animal.”
“If it meant you’d never enjoy duck soup or roasted pheasant again, I am certain you’d find a way to do away with your delicate sensibilities,” Lady Georgina retorted with a chuckle.
“Perhaps I will adjust well to eating solely from my family’s gardens.”
“And perhaps you will find you enjoy walking on all fours and nibbling at grass,” Adeline added at his side.
Lady Melton sucked in a breath and glared at Adeline as the young woman, Lady Josie, appeared to shrink into herself as her shoulders caved and she returned her stare to the ground, her hands clutched at her chest.
“My apologies, Josie, I did not mean…”
“There is no need, Adeline,” the woman mumbled. “I know you think I should be more daring; though I am uncertain that trait lies within me.”
“My words were still uncalled for,” Adeline said. “And I apologize.”
Lady Josie’s gaze snapped from the ground to Adeline, narrowing as if securitizing the sincerity behind her apology.
Glancing about, Jasper was confused to see Lady Melton and Lady Georgina doing the same. Certainly, Adeline hadn’t meant to be harsh and unkind to her friend. She’d never appeared such while at the Abbey.
“Ah, well, with the party fast approaching, I believe I was invited to see you all ply your skills at archery,” Jasper said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Adeline turned to him with a thankful smile. “I am much looking forward to your displays of marksmen—er, markswomanship.”
Finally, the peculiar cloud that had settled over them lifted when Lady Melton laughed at his word choice, Lady Georgina following suit as they collected their bows.
“We line up here,” Lady Melton said over her shoulder as Lady Georgina and Josie took their places and set their stances.
“Theo corrects and guides us as we practice,” Adeline offered as they stood a few paces away from the others while they prepared their arrows. “She is accomplished at calculations, wind speed, and angles.”
Lady Melton adjusted Lady Josie’s positioning, having her shift one foot so the toe of her boot faced the target on a straight line.
“Odd, but I’ve never considered my stance when shooting,” Jasper mused.
“You will find it increases the accuracy of your shot by twenty-seven percent.” He glanced at her, her brow furrowed. “Or at least that is what Theo always says.”
“On most occasions, I am hurried to release my arrow before the stag or pheasant catches my scent and flees.”
“Shhhh,” Adeline whispered, leaning close enough for him to catch the scent of vanilla that clung to her. “Take in this moment.”
The pair released their bow strings in unison and hit their targets in the exact same spot.
“That was a spectacular feat!” Jasper applauded, receiving smiles from the women and a wave from Lady Georgina.
“My turn.” Adeline took her place before her target and removed her bow from her shoulder. She looked as captivating now, in Regent’s Park, as she had during their turkey hunt at Faversham, though her hair was not wildly cascading down her back, but instead pinned mostly atop her head in what Jasper could only assume was the proper style for London ladies. He could nearly picture her in true trousers with her skirts tucked as they were, her trim waist leading to toned legs with delicate ankles.
Lady Melton joined her with her own bow and quiver at the ready, and Jasper pulled himself from his scandalous musings.
Jasper watched as the women breathed deeply, exhaled, and then took another, far more shallow breath—and then loosed their arrows.
When both hit—and stuck—dead center of their targets, Jasper exhaled, not realizing he’d been holding his breath in anticipation of Adeline’s shot.
The women embraced at their victory.
“Marvelous,” Jasper called once more, applauding their talent.
The women were supremely talented with their bows and would likely best any man who dared challenge them.
Pride surged through him, though it was not his pride to feel.
“Good morn, ladies!” a man called from behind them. “I see you have attracted a crowd.”
Jasper turned to see a smartly dressed man striding toward them, lanky but not overly tall, and dressed in garb finer than Jasper’s. He was certainly born to an elevated class, and the man knew it. His hair was combed with precision, and his boots shone in the morning sun.
He did not stop when he arrived but went straight to Lady Georgina, wrapping her in a tight embrace before setting his lips against hers. “I have missed you, my lady bug. Must you be away from me all these hours? If I were a less confident man, I would doubt your love and devotion to me.”
Lady Josie’s cheeks flamed red at the intimate nature of their conversation.
“Oh, Felton, if I were not so in love with you, I might declare that you are smothering me with your neediness,” Lady Georgina countered.
“You wound me, as always, my lady.” The man sighed dramatically.
“Is it not better for words to wound your heart than my arrow, my dear Mr. Crauford?”
Jasper watched the couple with envy. What exactly he coveted about their relationship, he was uncertain. Perhaps it
was simply having another person to be close with in all regards: mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Finally, Lady Georgina pulled from the man’s embrace and turned toward Jasper.
“Lord Ailesbury, may I present my preening, indigent, lovingly committed husband, Mr. Felton Crauford.” Lady Georgina swept her arms up and down in front of her husband as if showing off a prized statue. “Felton, this is Lord Ailesbury, a friend of Adeline’s from Kent.”
“I do hope you did not fall prey to their womanly charms and accept a challenge of skill,” Mr. Felton Crauford said. “Because, I assure you, they will best you…and take their purse prize without a second thought.”
Jasper instantly liked the man—his warm smile and wit were likely a fine match for Lady Georgina’s daring tongue.
“It is a blessing my bow remains in the country, or I’d likely have been swindled out of anything not entailed to my Earldom,” Jasper countered with a chuckle. He hadn’t felt so light and unburdened in years, and it all revolved around Adeline. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Crauford.”
“And you, my lord.” Crauford pulled his wife close to his side. “Will you be joining in the celebration tonight?” He cringed and glanced at Adeline.
Lady Georgina patted his chest. “Do not fret, Felton, Adeline has already discovered the details of her party. You have ruined no surprise.”
The man exhaled. “I am relieved it is not I who let the cat out of the bag.”
“I will be attending,” Jasper said.
“Very good.” Felton placed a quick kiss to Lady Georgina’s forehead. “While I would relish another chance to best Lady Melton with a bow, I must be getting my wife home to prepare for our evening.”
“Are you certain it is not you who needs time to ready themselves?” Adeline teased, her eyes lighting with merriment once more.
“I can neither confirm nor deny your question,” Felton responded with a wink.
“It is time we all return and prepare ourselves,” Lady Melton said. Two footmen stepped from the shadows of a tree and began collecting the targets. Ailesbury had as yet not noticed the footmen keeping watch over the women, but it satisfied him greatly to know Lord Melton did not leave Adeline—and her friends—unprotected. “It was lovely seeing you again, Lord Ailesbury. My husband and I look forward to gaining an increased acquaintance this evening. I hope you will see Adeline home safely?”