Goodness. Just the thought of Lord James stripping off any clothing was enough to make Irene blush to her hairline. Truth be told, just his use of the word “strip” brought on another torrent of red. She prayed he would think her heightened color was caused by the cold and not by the lewd thoughts he had somehow forced into her head. “You are most improper, Lord James.” She tried for a light-hearted tone, yet, unfortunately, sounded rather breathless, instead.
“Thank you, Miss Wallace. I do try.”
They ambled along in a pleasant silence, with Miss Emerson between them. There were a few hardy souls about, though most of them were walking purposely with a destination in mind, rather than the three of them who strolled for the companionship.
Not that Irene was there for companionship. She had a mission to fulfill, after all. “I looked through my brother’s papers, but could not find anything of use. I was not able to go through my father’s accounts, so I have little information to add.”
“Did you ask him about it?”
“I was not able to. He has been ill.”
“Truly ill? Or is this merely an excuse to not discuss the matter further?”
Irene bristled. “Lord James, if you think I would be so conniving as to use my father’s illness as an excuse….” She stopped when she felt Anna slip her hand into hers. Irene looked down to see the little girl smiling at her. Then Irene caught Lord James’s eye.
“I believe my daughter does not like discord between us,” he said.
“I believe you are right. I am not particularly fond of it, myself.” She smiled at the girl and squeezed her hand. Then she turned her attention back to Lord James. She would be civil for Anna’s sake. “My father took ill after your visit.”
“I am truly sorry to hear that.” And he appeared to be sincere.
“Thank you. While I know he was overset by the conversation, his health has been in decline for several months now, since shortly before Cedric left for America. Though, I would ask for your discretion in not spreading that about.”
“You are assured of it. You have my best wishes for a full and swift recovery.”
“Thank you.”
They walked along in silence for a moment.
Then he spoke again. “Families can be a source of both great joy and great pain.”
Irene supposed that was true, although as of late she had not known much joy at home. “I can see that Anna is a source of great joy for you.”
“She is. And she has done an excellent job of keeping us on speaking terms.”
“She has, at that.” Irene squeezed the girl’s hand, again. “I am so glad to have a new friend, Anna. I am Irene.”
Anna said “Irene,” then looked at her shyly.
“I do not suppose I can call you Irene,” said Lord James, looking like a rake who used the word “strip” in polite conversation.
“Absolutely not, Lord James,” she said with a smile.
He sighed dramatically and shook his head. “Very well. Miss Wallace – if I must…”
“And you must.”
“Miss Wallace, as I mentioned before, I retained a solicitor to look into this matter.”
Irene’s heart sank. Was he moving forward with his legal suit? Her alarm must have shown on her face, for he smiled in response.
“Please relax, Miss Wallace. I fear if Anna were to detect any more discord between us she would have us on the next coach to Gretna Green for an elopement.”
Irene’s heart then rebounded and sped up to twice its normal rhythm. “That would certainly be…”
“Ludicrous, I agree.”
“I was about to say ‘unwarranted,’ but I do appreciate knowing your sentiments on the matter. They are flattering to the extreme. I would have to stop and use my smelling salts, but, alas, I do not carry them. Pray continue.”
He grinned at her in such a way that she found it difficult to catch her breath. Maybe she should carry smelling salts when she was around him.
He continued. “It is still my hope that we can settle this matter outside of court, but I did ask Mr. Olson to look into the matter. I received word from him this morning that he would like to meet. While it may not be the smartest strategy for me, I was wondering if you would like to accompany us to the meeting.”
The suggestion surprised her. And it made her once again question her initial impression of Lord James Emerson. If his intention had been to cause her family trouble, as her father and grandmother had asserted, he would hardly invite her to sit in with his solicitor. Perhaps he was truly intent on uncovering the truth – whatever it was. Mayhap his man had even cleared up the misunderstanding and this whole business would be put paid today. Then she’d never have to see Lord James or Anna again.
She was surprised to realize just how much that notion disappointed her. But if this would be the last day of their association, she might as well do what she could to extend it.
“I shall accompany you on one condition, Lord James.” He raised a brow waiting for her demand. “I should like to treat Anna to a cup of chocolate and a pastry at Gunther’s.” She had a feeling his finances would not allow for such an extravagance, but she wanted the little girl to have the treat.
“While the idea is certainly an excellent one, I cannot allow you to pay.”
“Then I cannot accompany you to your solicitor’s office. It is the price of my attendance.”
“Anna and I could see Mr. Olson alone.”
“Yet, you have already invited me. It would not be gentlemanly to retract your offer.”
“What makes you think I’m a gentleman?”
“Everything about you, Lord James. You cannot hide your true nature from me.”
*
James had faced many dangers on the American frontier. But he was beginning to think his greatest threat was the one facing him now, wearing a fine woolen cloak that looked warm but somehow still managed to hint at the curves which lay beneath. The cool air gave a pink tint to her cheeks, but not quite the bright red of when she’d blushed when he said he’d strip down to his shirtsleeves. Despite the cold, his cock had grown hard at her reaction, making him thankful for the concealing features of his greatcoat.
Just watching her walk hand-in-hand with Anna was making him like Irene Wallace more, though he liked her a lamentable amount to begin with.
He waved to his brother’s coachman who’d been watching them from the street, then handed Anna in when the carriage arrived. He held out his hand to help Miss Wallace, but at first she appeared reluctant to touch him. Good. He was glad he was not the only one affected by their close proximity.
But when she did finally place her hand in his, he almost wished she hadn’t. Once again, there was that damnable jolt of something that passed between them. It was becoming quite exasperating to be constantly reminded of his attraction to her. Especially when any budding friendship between them was bound to end when she learned of her brother’s true nature.
He climbed in and sat on the seat opposite Miss Wallace and Anna. Miss Wallace was pulling back the curtain so his daughter might see the sights. But when it became apparent that Anna was too short to see well, Miss Wallace placed Anna on her lap.
“Is that better?” she asked Anna.
His daughter grinned before turning her attention to the scenery outside their carriage with some fascination.
It may have been better for Anna, but it certainly wasn’t for him. James wasn’t sure he wanted Anna and Miss Wallace to become any better acquainted. It was obvious his daughter liked Miss Wallace and he hated to think of her becoming too attached when their association with the lady would end one day soon. It could happen that very afternoon, depending on what Olson had to report.
That thought was rather disappointing – for Anna, of course.
He watched as the two of them talked about the sights they passed. Miss Wallace kept up a travelogue as good as any tour guide. Anna seemed entranced by the buildings they passed, but just as fasc
inated by the people, carts and carriages.
“Papa,” she said. “There are so many people here.”
“Yes, there are, love.”
“I take it you did not live in a big city in America?” Miss Wallace asked him.
“Quite the opposite. Anna’s village was very small and the nearest town of any size to my farm in Buck’s County was half an hour away by cart.”
“You drove a cart, my lord?” Her eyes danced with surprise.
“Quite expertly, if I do say so myself.” He had to laugh at himself. The reality of his life in America wasn’t one he’d ever imagined. Becoming adept at driving a cart was only one of several skills he’d had to learn. “Actually, I was surprised that I adapted to country life as well as I did.”
“I envy you. Ladies don’t often have the need to learn anything new. As long as one is skilled at needlework, singing and keeping the household accounts, as well as being in possession of all the latest gossip, a lady has reached the pinnacle of womanhood.”
“But you do not agree?”
“Seeing as how I have no interest in needlework, am only slightly skilled as a singer and abhor gossip, I doubt I shall attain pinnacle status any time soon. However, I am reasonably skilled at keeping household accounts.”
“I am sure you’d be skilled at anything you put your mind to.”
“I shall not succumb to flummery, sir.”
He looked at her with heavy eyelids. “I am most curious as to what you would succumb to.” He was enjoying picturing her succumbing to him in any number of ways.
She must have sensed his thoughts, because she blushed again, then spent the next few minutes pointing out the notable sights to Anna. When he made no move to continue the conversation – he was having too much fun simply watching her – she spoke again. “Were you not ever lonely in America?”
He was startled by the question and by her perception in asking it. He had been damned lonely, though he didn’t want to admit it. “Before Anna, I was,” he said carefully. “But we have been good company for each other, have we not, sweeting?”
“Yes, Papa,” she said, smiling. “I like being with you.” Then she turned to stare out the window again.
That sweet admission knocked the wind out of James metaphorically. It also brought home the enormity of what it meant to be a father. It was the first time Anna had ever told him something like that. He’d hoped it was the case, but he hadn’t known for certain. Yes, she never questioned their journey together, but there was a very big difference between following where you were taken and wanting to go with the person leading you there. Perhaps, she liked her life with him after all.
It was validation he did not realize he’d been seeking. And now he was afraid he might cry in front of Miss Wallace.
The lady must have sensed his discomfiting emotions, for she chose that moment to occupy herself with straightening one of the many scarves around Anna’s neck. Perhaps he had overdone it with the scarves.
“I am glad you enjoyed country living, though it is not surprising with such a wonderful companion,” Miss Wallace said to him, though she was still facing away. “I have found that one can be lonely in the city, regardless of the size of one’s social circle. In fact, being surrounded by acquaintances but no true friends can be much worse than being alone. Look Anna! There’s a dancing dog.”
As she and Anna both laughed at the sight, James thought about what Miss Wallace had just shared. As bad as things had been with his father, James had always been able to count on his brothers and sisters. He doubted Miss Wallace received much comfort or support from her father and grandmother, which was a shame. He liked this woman. He hoped she would find a good man to take care of her.
But it would not be him.
They finally arrived at Olson’s office. As James helped Anna out of the carriage, he stole a glance at Miss Wallace to see what she thought of the slightly disreputable neighborhood. Fortunately, there were no prostitutes plying their trade on this occasion. Or at least they hadn’t seen any, yet.
“This is an interesting area for a solicitor,” said Miss Wallace diplomatically.
“Mr. Olson is an interesting man,” said James, as he escorted Irene and Anna into the building.
They almost ran into a burly man who smelled like he worked on the docks. James placed himself between the man and the ladies. James was about to brandish the knife from his pocket when the man bobbed his head to Anna and Irene. “Ladies,” he said. “Milord.” Then he exited the building.
“Lord James,” called the muffled voice of Miss Wallace from behind him. “It is getting hard for Anna and me to breathe.”
James turned to see that in his zeal to protect them, he’d very neatly squashed them against the wall. He didn’t want to know what substances might be smeared upon it.
“My apologies, Miss Wallace,” he said as he stepped back. But he didn’t really mean it. The man had turned out to be no threat, but he could have been. James would never apologize for doing what was necessary to keep both of his ladies safe.
Both of his ladies? There was a thought that needed to be banished before it could take hold.
Irene gave him a rueful smile as she bent to put Anna’s clothing to rights. “Are you all right, sweetheart? Your papa was doing his best imitation of a charging bull.”
“I did not charge,” he said.
“Very well, a standing bull. Shall we see this solicitor of yours or shall we spend the rest of the day in the hall, getting pressed to that rather dirty wall each time a suspicious man walks by? Given this neighborhood, I daresay we would spend most of the day and certainly all of the night against it.”
“You can be a rather managing female, Miss Wallace.”
“I shall take that as a compliment, sir.”
“I rather thought you would. This way, if you please,” said James, as he escorted them the rest of the way to Olson’s office, hoping there was not another prostitute serving as his secretary.
As luck would have it, there was a young man at the desk who even looked like he might work there. He had ink-stained fingers and, from the way he jumped to attention when they entered, was eager to please. “Lord James?” he asked.
“Yes, along with Miss Wallace and my daughter Miss Emerson.”
The young man bowed to all of them. Twice. “Mr. Olson is expecting you, my lord. I’ll announce you at once.” He scurried away to the inner office.
Miss Wallace looked around the reception area, no doubt noting the general disarray and the disreputable client meeting with one of the clerks in the next office. Of course, for all James knew, the disreputable man might work there.
“Is this your family’s usual solicitor?” asked Irene, in a tone that was both doubtful and curious.
“I do not believe Colin has a usual solicitor. Olson comes highly recommended by Nick. I have no doubt Mr. Olson will prove himself invaluable.”
At that point, a prostitute exited Olson’s office. This one had bleached blonde hair and breasts that protruded to an extent that surely defied gravity. She winked at James as she walked by.
Irene and Anna both studied the woman as she passed, then turned to James once she’d left.
He cleared his throat. “I believe Mr. Olson will see us now.”
The clerk reappeared and bowed repeatedly while ushering them into Olson’s office. The man himself was standing behind his desk with a most quizzical look when they entered.
“Miss Emerson,” he said, bowing to Anna. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Anna smiled at him.
“Let me arrange for tea,” said Olson as he walked out of the office.
Anna turned to her father, lifting her arms in the universal signal to be helped out of winter clothes.
“I don’t know, sweeting,” said her father. “It’s not very warm in here. I wouldn’t want you to get cold.”
Anna turned to Irene with the same arms up signal.
Irene kne
lt in front of her and began unwrapping scarves, untying her bonnet and removing gloves. “Love, let’s try this. Then if you get cold, you can tell me and I’ll put these back on. In the meantime, I hope your papa does not worry himself too much about the threat of frostbite. I am confident that if a polar bear were to come out of that closet, he would fight it and win, though we would surely be squashed against another wall whilst he did it.”
“If a polar bear were to come out of that closet, Miss Wallace, I would simply allow you to talk it into submission,” said James. “Ah, Olson,” he said as the man entered the room again. “I have brought a visitor. Miss Wallace, may I present Mr. Geoffrey Olson? Mr. Olson, this is Miss Irene Wallace, Cedric’s sister.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Wallace,” said Olson. “Though I confess my surprise. Have the two of you settled matters?”
The eager clerk brought in a tea service, giving each of them a cup.
James nodded his thanks. “Miss Wallace and I are not in agreement.”
“Most definitely not,” said Irene. “But Lord James was kind enough to invite me here today to hear what you have discovered.”
“Are you sure that is wise, my lord?” asked Olson. “I would not want you to regret taking anyone into your confidence. No offense, Miss Wallace.”
“None taken, sir. I know you are only doing your best to represent your client. And I have no wish to thwart matters, only to bring them to their just conclusion.”
“Which you believe will be in your brother’s favor,” said Olson.
“I know my brother, Mr. Olson. I cannot believe him to be a thief.”
“An admirable sentiment for a sister. But I have found that one can only truly know oneself. Others tend to surprise us.”
“Does this mean you have found proof in my favor?” asked James, who sipped his tea, then winced at the sweetness.
“No, my lord. But what I have found is your Mr. Adams, who witnessed the agreement between Mr. Wallace and yourself.”
Always True to Her (Emerson Book 2) Page 7
