“Open your eyes, Brother. Appears she is no longer a child.” Kit leaned an elbow on the mantle and crossed a booted foot over the other.
“My God. The hoyden has gone and grown into a woman.” Sam adopted an air of disbelief.
“When in hell did that happen?” Ben shouted.
“Boys, I’ll remind you of your manners, and curb your tongue in your mother’s presence,” James warned.
In unison, all three mumbled their apologies.
“You look lovely, Alexandria.” Cornelia delivered a glare to the outspoken brothers.
“Why, just today she paraded around in boys’ breeches,” Sam blurted.
“I did not parade,” Alex huffed. “Papa. Can’t you do something?”
“Stop. You are embarrassing your sister.” Mrs. Carmichael addressed her sons in a caring tone.
Alex stuck out her tongue.
He couldn’t keep from smiling. Nothing like this had captured his interest in months.
“After all, you boys have allowed her to hang on your coattails,” her mother continued. Obviously she’d not seen the girl’s rash gesture.
“Mama, surely you do not think I had a hand in Alex’s untamed ways.” Kit’s comical expression displayed a poor attempt at appearing outraged.
“Boys, I suggest you mind your manners if you want to join us for dinner,” James quickly interrupted.
All three straightened as if they’d had a good kick in the arse.
Knowing it was expected, Giles stepped forward. “Miss Carmichael.” He took her hand and pressed his lips in the vicinity of her knuckles. “May I say you are exceedingly captivating this evening.”
Which was an understatement. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the young lad wearing a gown—a very form fitting one causing him to take a second look—was definitely not it.
She must have noticed the glint in his stare, for her eyes widened and her brow furrowed in deliberation. Then she straightened her spine which made her chest puff out.
Giles appreciated a woman that was well endowed as much as any man. Glancing at those uplifted breasts, he had difficulty remembering this young woman, who obviously didn’t know how to flirt, was still in an early stage of her life.
“Thank you.”
Good God. Was she about to curtsy?
She dipped and stumbled. He grabbed the hand on his arm and steadied her.
A flush flamed her face.
He tilted his head slightly, leaning close for her ears alone. “It takes more than a dress to be a lady.”
Her lips stretched tight as if she would hurl an oath.
“Kit. You will escort Alexandria to the dining room. James, Sarah.” Cornelia, as befitting as any matron of the ton, issued instructions as though she were in a grand English home. Giles wondered how long he would have to endure Cornelia’s insistence on being addressed properly as a duke’s entitlement.
He offered his arm. “Mrs. Hargrave. If you will allow me.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” The matron beamed as if he’d given her the moon. Two steps behind him, he heard Alex’s brothers mumbling.
“Face the music, brothers,” Kit said.
“What?”
“Thanks to the two of you, we’re being served humble pie.”
Chapter 6
Carmichael took the seat at the head of the elegantly set table while his wife sat at the other end. Kit, Sam, and Alex proceeded around to the opposite side.
“Please, Your Grace. You will sit here.” Cornelia gestured with a nod.
Taking her hand from where it rested on his sleeve, Giles helped her to her seat, then took the chair next to her, directly across from Alex.
Giles noticed James and Sarah Carmichael displayed a mutual respect for one another, a shared affection. In contrast and to the outside observer, Giles’ parents were excessively handsome people gifted in commerce and conversation. Yet they never indulged in demonstrations of sentiment or warmth. Behind closed doors, the two shared no more than a dwelling. It was a wonder he had been born. But then, he supposed it had not always been that way. And a dukedom must have an heir.
“Our cook has excelled this evening in honor of your presence.” Sarah beamed with pride. “She has prepared roast pigeon, a kettle of fish, mince pies, sweet potato pudding, and syllabub with cocoa beans in a frothy dessert.”
“Sounds delicious. I shall be sure to thank her personally.” Giles bestowed a smile.
Through the first and second courses, Cornelia tried to keep generating interest on topics of England and his nobility. He had no desire to embellish on his private life, and steered her in other directions, all the while keeping up with the conversation and allowing his mind to drift to Alex. He darted short glances to better note her sparkling brown eyes, her high cheekbones, her sun-glistened blonde hair.
When Alex smiled favorably at him, Giles let his gaze linger on her full lips. With his strength of mind in diplomatic affairs and daring escapades, it astounded him that this bit of fluff disturbed him.
He held her gaze for long moments before Ben’s voice shook him free.
“Found something interesting today, Papa.”
“I’d say,” Sam added with a mouth full of food.
With a slight shake of her head, Sarah gave a look of reproach to her son.
“Pardon, Mama.”
“Sam and I rode out on the north meadow.” Ben leaned back in his chair, sending glances between Alex and his father.
“What was so interesting out there?” James stabbed a piece of meat with his fork.
“Well, we found something. Just wandering around on our land.”
“Yeah, Pap. Just grazing in the grass.” Sam attempted innocence, but his grin suggested tomfoolery. Same with Ben. The two were leading up to mischief. Being a curious sort, Giles’ ears perked up with interest.
“An animal?” James asked.
“Yep. And this particular animal belonged to someone,” Ben answered.
“Yeah,” Sam chortled.
“Well, what was it?” James raised a brow as though he tired of the game.
“A stallion.”
“Black.”
“Alone.”
“With no rider.”
Back and forth, taking turns, one brother started a sentence and the other one finished it. Giles swallowed a chuckle.
“Had a saddle, though.”
Of the three, Ben gave the impression of being the most outspoken. By his smug countenance and flamboyant gestures, he took great delight in teasing his sister. Alex shot him a spiteful look. Any moment Giles expected her to explode. With his long legs in close proximity, he only hoped he did not receive a kick meant for her brother.
“Can’t imagine why anyone would let a shiny black wander off like that.”
All eyes turned to Alex.
“What’s this?” James asked, his brow furrowed. “Surely this is not the same horse I purchased for Alex from Hudson’s.”
“Papa, I can explain,” Alex sputtered.
“We figure the black threw her,” Sam said with glee.
“He did not!” Alex shrieked.
Sarah gasped. “Alex, are you all right?”
“Mama, I did not—”
“He’s a big one, Pap. I think you should give him to me.” Kit joined into the fray.
“Now just a minute. That’s my horse.”
“Which evidently you can’t handle.”
Alex glared at her brother. Giles held back a chuckle.
“Young lady, I’m waiting for an explanation.” James’ gruff voice rang with chastisement.
“It’s his fault.” Alex jumped up and pointed a finger directly at Giles.
Silence filled the room.
Cornelia and Sarah looked like they were about to have apoplexy. Kit grinned in amusement. Sam’s mouth hung open and Ben looked incredulous.
“Alex,” James said in a low voice with a hint of embarrassment. “Sit down.”
Glances swung from Alex to Giles. After a gasp or two, silence hung heavy in the room. He might as well offer some sort of clarification. “I believe I should intervene.” He folded his napkin and casually placed it beside his plate.
“Giles, please forgive my daughter.”
“Papa . . .”
A glare from her father cut off anything else Alex wanted to say. She dropped her head and slowly slid back onto her chair.
“Allow me to enlighten you.” He studied each face at the table before speaking. “I was having a leisurely ride on my new steed. Following your directions,” he nodded to James, “at the appropriate landmark, I rode into a meadow bordered by a group of oaks. A black stallion bolted from the tree line. Immediately, I recognized the black you purchased from the auction. At first I felt admiration. I was pleased to see such a fine animal race across the open field. But, then, it dawned on me the horse was out of control, and the lad might be in trouble.”
He glanced at Alex. She fumed, tight-lipped and stiff-jawed. Angry eyes glared back at him.
“I had no idea your daughter was the rider on that horse. Fearing for the lad’s safety, I set off after him—uh, her.”
A choked laugh caught his attention. Kit’s shoulders shook.
“Gor, Alex,” Sam cried.
“Did you catch her?” Ben turned his sharp gaze on his sister.
“Of course.” Giles couldn’t keep his lips from turning up into a grin. “I rescued her.”
“You did not rescue me!”
Receiving a fulminating glower from her father, her eyes lowered to her hands, fisting in her lap.
“What happened?” Sam asked with excitement.
“I only recently purchased Gent. The steed’s owner declared the horse powerful. Quite worth the purchase price. Not only did I catch up with Alex, I snatched her right out of the black’s saddle.”
All three brothers burst out in loud guffaws, and so did their father. However, Cornelia fanned herself, and Sarah hid a smile behind her fingers.
“That explains the missing rider.” Ben leaned an arm on the back of his chair. “But not why the horse was alone when we found him.”
“My guess, the black kept running.” Kit turned his amused grin on Alex.
“You are correct. Your sister was afraid the stallion would run away.” Giles turned to James. “I apologize earnestly for my rash actions, as I apologized to your daughter as soon as I found out the lad was a girl.”
“Papa, there is nothing to be concerned about. I did not—” Alex began, only to be cut off by her father.
“Nothing to be concerned about? Not only did you lose your new horse, but a gentleman had to come to your rescue. And he thought you a boy.”
“Not the first time,” Sam piped in.
“Dear God. Sarah, do you have smelling salts?”
“Aunt Cornelia, are you going to faint?” Kit leaned forward in his chair.
“Cornelia is fine, dear.” Sarah raised her crystal wine glass and gazed at him over the rim.
“It’s easy to mistake Alex for a boy,” Ben said. “Why, my own eyes nearly bugged out of my head when she walked in here in that dress.”
This time the urchin did kick, and sure enough Giles felt the ramifications. He flinched and swallowed a grunt of pain.
“Alex. One cannot behave foolishly in front of others and not expect it to spread like wildfire,” James scolded. “From this day forward, there will be a new set of rules put in place. Your mother and I, and Cornelia, will discuss the matter after dinner.”
She practically wilted under the table.
“Perhaps what your father is trying to say, is that you are of an age now. A young lady is expected to behave a certain way.” Cornelia tried to retain the ambience at the dinner table. Maybe save some embarrassment for Alex in the process.
“I find her spirited behavior quite amusing.” Giles watched Alex’s face as he spoke. Sure enough, signs of a temper flared. He discovered he liked baiting her as much as her brothers. He ground his lips together to capture the chuckle bursting inside.
“Spirited?” Ben grumbled. “She’s a big pain in my—”
“Ben!” Sarah cautioned. “I remember a time when Alexandria worshiped the ground you walked on. She tagged along behind you like a shadow. You had no problem with her then.”
Ben cleared his throat. “She was a baby.”
“Your Grace, I apologize for my children’s outspokenness.”
“Please, Mrs. Carmichael. I’d rather you not address me so formally. And I am not offended by the dinner conversation.” He offered a heartfelt smile. “I find their quibble enjoyable, in fact. The dinners I normally attend have traces of pompousness about them. Thinking to put on airs, so to speak. I much prefer normalcy. A more relaxed gathering where one might breathe easy and not be subject to decorum.”
“How kind of you to say so, Your Grace,” Cornelia said from beside him.
“Please, Lady Hargrave. You call your brother James. Would it be so difficult for you to call me Giles?”
She gasped aloud. “I could not.”
“Surely speaking my name is not as horrible as all that? How about, Nethersall?”
“Well, um, if you insist.”
“I do.” He softened his command with a smile.
The dear lady blushed. Giles relaxed his tense shoulders. This family welcomed him into their home, and he fit. How refreshing, their banter and their mirth. A long-awaited sense of home and contentment, of ease, spread through his body.
He lifted his wine goblet and glanced across the table—straight into a pair of livid brown eyes.
Chapter 7
Giles normally rose each morning at the crack of dawn. This morning had been no different. He’d been closeted in James’ office for the last hour, getting an idea of the man’s sizable holdings.
Such a lordly plantation. Carmichael had acreage down to the river's level. His cane-field contained about five hundred acres, which just last year produced a crop of three hundred eighty-four tons of sugar. He housed a variety of stock. A numerous herd of cattle delivered fresh butter, cheese, and cream for all who lived on the land with enough left over to send to market. And then there were the thoroughbreds.
Good God, the plantation was a world of its own, filled with culture and all the refinements.
James had a special love of horses, one thousand acres set aside just for the creatures to roam. And he’d promised a special surprise.
Giles inhaled the rich steam rising from his coffee cup. Tea may be the drink of his ancestors, but he preferred the black brew. He’d developed the taste during his wild and free days, and lived on the stuff during the course of many missions.
“Good morning.”
Giles lowered the paper he’d been reading and glanced at the girl who’d taken up entirely too much time in his head. As the night before, Alex had donned a gown. A twinge of regret darted through his thoughts, seeing she wore a skirt instead of the curve-revealing breeches.
“Good morning.” Applying his gentlemanly manners, he stood, waiting for Alex to settle in the chair opposite him.
A sparkle in her eye, she gave him a huge smile while she smoothed her skirts.
As he lowered his frame back to the chair, he wondered what the minx was up to. The cook came in before he could dwell on the idea.
“Good morning, Missy.”
At his raised eyebrow, Alex quickly explained. “She’s always called me Missy.” She turn
ed to the cook. “Good morning, Phibe.”
“Here you go.” Phibe placed a plate of eggs and ham in front of Alex.
“Thank you, Phibe. Ummm. Looks delicious.” Alex smiled at the older woman.
“More coffee, Mister Giles? The cream is fresh and rich.”
“Yes, please.” He held up his cup with a smile and a nod. She poured black brew from a white, china pot.
“I’ll have coffee too, Phibe.”
The woman gave the girl a sharp look, and then ignored Alex as though she had not spoken.
Sitting back, he observed the exchange between the two women.
“Do you have everything you need, Mister Giles?”
“This is perfect, Phibe. Thank you.” Giles shared a wink.
A beaming Phibe strolled back to the kitchen.
He took in the delicate features of the female across the table from him, a blush in her cheeks. It had been a while since he’d paid much attention to a woman. How easy it would be to get lost in her natural beauty. He narrowed his gaze, drinking in every detail, including her pert, rounded nose and full lips. With a silent groan, he shook away the uninvited thoughts and concentrated on his paper.
“You seem to be occupied with the Louisiana Gazette.”
“By that, if you mean am I reading current events, the answer is yes.”
“Papa says there is very little space devoted to current events since news happenings are common knowledge long before the sheets are off the press. But he still takes the paper. Mama likes to look at the clippings, and there is poetry printed as well.”
Beautiful and keen? An unusual combination in a lady, let alone one so young.
She lifted her fork and hesitated. “Have you already eaten?”
“I have been with your father in his study.”
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