"Much better," approved Lady Belmont. She looked curiously out over the crowds. "Goodness, there is Mrs. Allenton, and she is waving at us. It wouldn't do not to speak to her. I only hope she won't ask about Brayleigh. If she does, Rowena, I don't want to hear a word out of you."
Rowena gave her an indignant glance. "As though I would rattle on about Brayleigh. It’s you who won’t let the subject rest, Aunt. I have had quite enough trouble absorbing the interesting fact that Malcolm is alive to worry about possibly murderous earls."
"Rowena, not another word!" Lady Belmont twitched nervously.
The carriage pulled abreast of Mrs. Allenton’s, and that formidable matron leaned toward them graciously, the enormous purple plumes in her bonnet nodding.
"Good afternoon, Louisa, dear, and Rowena, of course." Mrs. Allenton bestowed a thin smile on her prey. "I have been longing to talk to you. One has heard such interesting things about the Willoughby ball last night. I am desolate that I missed it."
"It was a lovely evening," said Lady Belmont, ignoring the innuendo. "Dear Diana always puts on exquisite entertainments. And the champagne was delightful."
Mrs. Allenton smiled pointedly at Rowena. "Did you enjoy yourself, my dear?"
Rowena pulled her eyes away from a surprised contemplation of the very tight riding dress a passing lady was wearing and turned her gaze politely on Mrs. Allenton. "Certainly, ma'am."
"I heard that you have attracted a new suitor," continued Mrs. Allenton, in a manner that, in a less formidable woman, might have been construed as playful.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am?" asked Rowena blankly.
"Why, Lord Brayleigh, of course," said Mrs. Allenton triumphantly. "I have heard of little else today. It seems that he is decidedly interested in Lady Rowena."
Lady Belmont twitched again. "Nonsense. You shouldn't listen to gossip, Flora."
"Did he or did he not dance with her?" persisted Mrs. Allenton.
"He did," admitted Lady Belmont, "But I'm sure there was nothing in it. Brayleigh is far too devoted to his collection and his mistresses to worry about young women. It was surely a passing whim, and not a very gracious one at that."
Mrs. Allenton raised an eyebrow and leaned toward Rowena. "And what did you think of the dashing Earl?"
"I barely noticed him," Rowena answered firmly, annoyed by Mrs. Allenton's question. "I suppose he dances well enough. He was rather tall."
Mrs. Allenton sat back, an amazed expression on her face. In a moment she laughed. "Well, that will be a set down for Brayleigh! I daresay there has never been a young woman uninterested in his name and fortune. He'll be more determined than ever to add you to his famous collection."
Rowena opened her mouth to respond, but Lady Belmont hastily stepped in. "Brayleigh cannot possibly be interested in Rowena. After all, he's much too old for her, and our families, as you well know, do not speak. He was merely trying to cause a sensation, and now he has succeeded. It is too bad of you, Flora, to try to read anything more into it than that."
As Lady Belmont spoke, she became aware that Mrs. Allenton's eyes had moved from her face and were fixed instead on something situated over her left shoulder. She glanced at Rowena and found that her niece, as well, appeared to be transfixed with whatever it was that lingered behind her. She turned abruptly and her words died on her lips.
Lord Brayleigh was approaching on a magnificent black stallion, a forbidding expression on his dark countenance. He sat the horse as though he was a part of it, and the simple elegance of his superfine riding coat and the mirror-like sheen on his boots contrived to make every other man in the park look either a bit overdressed or slightly shabby. He was heading directly for Lady Belmont's landau, and when he reached it he drew his mount to a halt. The spirited beast seemed inclined to mischief, but Brayleigh's fist tightened just slightly as he settled his seat almost imperceptibly, and the stallion's antics subsided. There was a moment's breathless silence as he gazed broodingly at the three women.
"Good afternoon Lady Belmont, Mrs. Allenton, Lady Rowena," he said finally, his voice cold. "I trust you are enjoying your drive."
Lady Belmont openly gaped at Brayleigh, and Rowena gave him a perplexed look, leaving Mrs. Allenton to fill the breach, which she did admirably.
"Good afternoon, Brayleigh. I would say that I was surprised to see you here in the park, but after what I have been told today, that would be inaccurate. I imagine I can guess what brings you here!"
Rowena cringed at Mrs. Allenton's coy tone, and dropped her eyes hastily from Alaric's face, but not before he saw the flash of annoyance in them. He raised an eyebrow at Mrs. Allenton.
"Indeed. I thought I was merely exercising my horse and enjoying a lovely afternoon. I assure you there are no other discernible motives for my presence here."
Mrs. Allenton smiled archly at Alaric as he transferred his frowning gaze to Rowena.
"I trust you are well, Lady Rowena," he said.
Rowena started visibly and then her lashes fluttered up over her eyes. Alaric felt the now-familiar pang of desire as their violet gaze encompassed him.
"Quite well, my lord," she said calmly, although she flushed slightly. She could not imagine what game he was playing. But she had to admit to herself that London had become much more interesting in the eighteen hours since the Earl of Brayleigh had entered her life. "And you?"
Alaric allowed a tiny smile to curve his lips. Rowena was regarding him much differently than she had the night before, and he now had no doubt that someone had told her about the old scandal. It was a pity, he thought. He had enjoyed her ingenuousness so much.
"I am always well," he responded politely.
Lady Belmont returned to her senses with a little shake of her head. She looked anxiously from Alaric's calm face to Rowena's flushed one, and then finally to the look of avid curiosity which decorated Mrs. Allenton's. She launched hastily into speech.
"I am sure you are, Brayleigh. And now Rowena and I must continue on our way. It was delightful to see you again, Brayleigh. Flora, you must take tea with us sometime soon."
Lady Belmont prodded her coachman in the back with her parasol and the landau moved forward, leaving Alaric alone with Mrs. Allenton.
"What are you up to, Brayleigh?" she asked knowingly. "They'll never let you near that girl, you know. They haven’t forgotten what you did to her brother."
Alaric turned icy green eyes on Mrs. Allenton. "I will remember that, madam." His voice was stony. He turned his horse abruptly and rode away.
In a few moments he spotted Lady Belmont's carriage again, now drawn up to pick up a young gentleman. Alaric watched with a disdainful glare as the man seated himself next to Rowena and engaged her in conversation. His afternoon with Lily had gone far to assuage his physical discomfort, but he had found to his annoyance that thoughts of Rowena still filled his mind. There was something unique about her, he thought, something that set her apart from other women, like a rare work of art in a room full of forgeries.
He fought down an urge to approach the landau once again; to do so would cause more comment that even he was willing to engender. But he longed to seize the young man speaking to Rowena by the scruff of his neck, throw him out of the carriage, and then grab Rowena up and ride off with her.
He sighed in frustration. Obviously Rowena exerted some pull over him that made him behave in an irrational way. It had been years since he had lifted a finger to pursue any woman, much less a young, unsophisticated one. But if he wished to add Lady Rowena Arlingby to his collection, pursuit would be necessary. She was clearly not about to offer herself to him. A most unusual young lady, to be sure. But then, Alaric had always preferred the unusual.
He watched her more closely, noting the graceful way she held herself, the gentle movements of her long white hands, the quick intelligence in her face. It was a shame she was Malcolm Arlingby's sister, that she had to be so closely related to that rash young man. He frowned slightly at the memory of Malcolm
, who had dashed so recklessly to his fate. He had deserved it, he thought coldly, for his lack of caution and care. Unfortunately, Rowena would doubtless hold Malcolm's disgrace against him. It was a difficulty that would have to be overcome. He realized that he had wanted Rowena from the moment he had seen her, and he was not a man to allow small things like propriety and conventional behavior get in his way. She would, eventually, be his.
Rowena looked up from her conversation with Mr. Grantly, her eyes scanning the park. She had the most unaccountable sensation that she was being watched, and when her eyes fell on Alaric, she gave a small shiver. The Earl was gazing at her with a predatory expression that made her heart beat faster even from a distance. What did he mean by coming up to her today and staring at her so boldly, and then speaking to her in that cold manner? If he was going to cause gossip, the least he could do was be amusing. Her annoyance rose and was clearly reflected in her eyes, for Alaric suddenly smiled directly at her. Rowena paused, amazed by the change that came over his face with the warmth of his smile. Gone was the arrogant, superior Earl, replaced by a magnetically attractive gentleman.
"Lady Rowena?"
Rowena pulled her eyes away from Alaric's sparkling green ones, and turned back to Mr. Grantly, who was obviously somewhat affronted by her lack of attention. She set out to soothe his ruffled feelings as well as to demonstrate to the Earl of Brayleigh that his attentions meant nothing to her. It seemed she succeeded, for when she next looked in his direction, he was gone.
Chapter 6
Six nights later, on the night of the Shackleforth ball, Rowena decided that something had to be done about her situation. The incessant insinuations made to her over the past week about the Earl of Brayleigh, and her aunt’s constant state of alarm should the man so much as enter the same room she was in, had contrived to exasperate her. Thus, when Alaric strolled casually into the candle-lit ballroom and sought her out, a predatory look in his heavy-lidded eyes, she smiled at him welcomingly rather than turning away as she usually did. She noted with a certain amount of satisfaction the surprise and then pleasure that lit his emerald eyes, and steeled herself as he strolled towards her, willing herself to ignore the powerful attraction he exuded. But she could not remain entirely unaware of the breadth of his shoulders, the narrowness of his hips, and the glimmer of humor in the back of his eyes.
He reached her side and raised her hands to his lips, pressing a very real kiss to her fingers. She drew in her breath. She could almost swear he was laughing at her, daring her to say something.
"I am annoyed with you, Lord Brayleigh," she began promptly. "I must ask that you cease your ridiculous behavior."
Alaric's brows shot up and an expression of bemused innocence crossed his face. "You are admirably frank, Lady Rowena. What have I done to incur your wrath?"
"I am certain you know exactly what I mean." Rowena gave him a severe glance. "But if you insist on dissembling, I will tell you that you are making a spectacle of both of us, and, while I do not care how you present yourself to Society, I wish to be left out of the matter."
"Dear me." Alaric smiled, his sense of humor tickled by her direct method of attack. "How can my very proper attention to you cause a spectacle?"
"Because you are the Earl of Brayleigh and I am Rowena Arlingby. That alone causes a great deal of interest among the ton." Rowena's voice was tart. "And, when that is added to your famous lack of interest in young, unwed women, the result must be gossip."
Alaric smiled with delight. Rowena might be attempting to discourage him with her frankness, but he found it disarming.
"But I have done so very little," he protested. "I have danced with you once, spoken to you in the park, and I brought you a lemonade at Almacks last night. I don't believe any of those actions will compromise your reputation."
"I really don't care about my reputation," Rowena startled him by responding. "But I do object to being made a laughingstock, and your behavior is doing just that. The mere idea of the Earl of Brayleigh at Almack's is enough to cause comment. I have been told by no less than five people that you haven’t been seen there in ten years. Just because you had your differences with my brother twelve years ago is no reason to attempt to ruin my chances now."
A small frown appeared on Alaric's brow. He had not thought that Rowena would view his attentions in the light of further revenge for his feud with Malcolm. Indeed, he had spared very little thought to how his behavior might appear to anyone. He was not at all sure what he meant by it himself, only that he was drawn powerfully to Rowena and needed to be near her.
"I am not trying to ruin you, Lady Rowena." His voice was stiff. "And the unfortunate events of twelve years ago need have no bearing on our friendship."
Rowena laughed at that, her eyes suddenly twinkling. "What a ridiculous thing to say. I can think of no other reason why you might wish to spend time with me."
Alaric glared down at her, his face tight with frustration. Rowena's determination to believe the worst of him was aggravating, if understandable, and the nearness of her person, her gentle scent that reminded him of flowers after a rain, was deeply tantalizing and served to frustrate him further.
"I am sure I can explain all to your satisfaction, Lady Rowena." His voice was harsh with annoyance and other, deeper, emotions. "Perhaps you will accompany me out to the terrace." His strong fingers closed over her elbow and he attempted to steer her towards the open doors.
Rowena felt a sudden surge of emotion shoot through her that might have been alarm, or perhaps something more basic. She pulled her arm away from his hand and then looked around hastily.
"If you are seeking to guard my reputation, sir, I hardly think dragging me out to the terrace is the best way to do that. Please leave me alone."
"What makes you think I will do your bidding? After all, if I mean to ruin you, I am hardly likely to obey your orders. And if I am to explain myself to you, we will need privacy. I do not wish to share this discussion with all of this excessively overcrowded room." Alaric towered over her, his saturnine face masked by a remote expression, and Rowena looked up at him anxiously.
"Explanations are no longer necessary, sir." Rowena's long golden lashes fell over her brilliant eyes, but not before Alaric saw the hint of uncertainty in them. "Please do not bother me again."
"I am afraid I cannot grant that request, Lady Rowena. After all, you surely do not expect proper behavior from the man who drove your brother from the country and now intends to ruin you." Alaric had regained something of his self-control, but his pride still smarted from Rowena's sharp words. He needed to talk to her alone, but that was an obvious impossibility now.
Rowena gave him an exasperated look. "This conversation serves no useful purpose, sir."
"On the contrary, it would do you good to learn something about me other than the constant gossip which your aunt and her friends have no doubt been feeding you," said Alaric. "If you will not speak to me now on the terrace, we must arrange to meet at some other time."
Rowena felt a tingle of excitement shoot down her spine at his words, but she resolutely shook her head.
"I hardly think that is likely, sir. My aunt will certainly not allow us to be alone together."
"Then we shall have to do it without her knowledge," Alaric pointed out.
Rowena peeped up at him through her lashes. "What are you suggesting, my lord?"
He smiled. He had hoped that the prim front Rowena had been presenting to him was an act, and now he was sure of it. Rowena clearly had an adventurous streak in her.
"Meet me in the garden behind your aunt's house tonight," he ordered. "I'll be there at two-o-clock."
Rowena started. She was not sure what exactly she had expected Brayleigh to propose, but this was not it.
"That would be quite impossible," she said firmly.
"Really?" Alaric smiled encouragingly at her. "I thought you had more determination that that. Surely slipping out of doors late at night would not be too muc
h of a challenge to you?"
Rowena was offended by the aspersion cast on her ingenuity. "It is not that I am unable to do so--" she began.
"Very good. I will see you at two-o-clock," interrupted Alaric.
"But I do not think it would be the proper thing to do," finished Rowena, flushing.
"Ah, you have become proper." Alaric grinned casually. "Coward."
"I am not a coward," she said heatedly, her pride pricked. "I simply don’t choose to meet you."
"I will be there. I will wait fifteen minutes for you. If you do not come out, I will know that you prefer gossip to truth and are too frightened to face what I have to tell you. You will miss a fascinating story, Lady Rowena."
Rowena looked at him doubtfully. She wished more than anything to hear Lord Brayleigh's account of the long-ago scandal. She was certain that he would have information that might help her in trying to puzzle out what had happened. And, though she was reluctant to admit it to herself, she was more than a little intrigued by the Earl. She found it impossible to believe that his character was as black as it had been painted.
Alaric's eyes strayed past her charmingly confused face and he grimaced. "And now I will be going. Your dragon of an aunt is approaching, and I wish to spare myself her conversation. Until later, Lady Rowena." Alaric raised her hand to his lips with extraordinary grace, kissed it, and made good his escape just as Lady Belmont swept down upon Rowena. She glared after him angrily.
"Drat the man! Can he not leave you alone for one day?"
Rowena shrugged. "We merely talked, Aunt. He is amusing himself, and there is little I can do about that."
Lady Belmont opened her fan with an audible snap. "I do wish Malcolm were here to teach him a lesson for his behavior. He would doubtless call Brayleigh out."
"Isn't that the sort of behavior that started this whole mess in the first place?" asked Rowena coolly. "I believe we have had enough of masculine pride and foolishness."
Despite her words, Rowena watched Alaric's tall figure as he made his way gracefully across the ballroom. Suddenly aware of her behavior, she tore her eyes away and turned her attention resolutely back to her aunt. Lord Brayleigh would have a long, lonely wait tonight in the garden. She had no intention of keeping their assignation.
A Collector's Item: Rowena's After Dark Regency Romance (The Arlingbys Book 1) Page 4
