by K. Young
"Why?"
"Because I like you." He felt the heat rising to his cheeks before he even finished that statement.
To his immense relief, she didn't laugh at him. But, she wasn't convinced either.
"Be that as it may, I'm in London to find a husband."
"I understand." He said.
Derrick knew he didn't have the right to be jealous, hell he didn't even know why he was. He just knew that he wanted to help her. Maybe it was just his protective instincts as a man. Perhaps helping her find a husband would be enough to satisfy whatever it was he was feeling. But, the more he thought about that, the more he realized he would just as soon kill any man that dared court her.
Kristen was leery of his declaration. She appreciated the apology, and she wanted to believe that Derrick was sincere. She was attracted to him, despite the terrible things he said to her in that cave. But, she wanted him, and here he was. The trouble was he still wasn't offering to marry her. The only option she had to protect herself from Ashby was to get married. She supposed she could go to America, but that just meant she would be running her whole life. The best option was to settle down into a quiet life with an affable man who might not mind her background. They walked the rest of the way back to Mel's townhome in silence.
***
When Kristen reached the townhome, Mel was in a hysterical fit. She clutched Kristen to her so tight that Kristen actually began to black out. It took Chester and Derrick to pry her loose from Kristen.
"Don't you ever do that to me again, do you understand me?" Mel fairly screeched.
"I'm fine, Mel. Nothing to worry about."
"Bollocks and you know it!" Mel shouted, and then she rounded on Derrick. "And as for you, what were you thinking, walking with her by yourselves. You may have damaged her reputation."
Derrick flushed. In truth, he hadn't even thought of that. He had been more concerned with her safety. But, Kristen wasn't concerned about it, so that eased his mind a little.
"Mel, don't be angry with him. He helped me out a great deal when I sent you and the driver away. Where is he, by the way? I'd like to thank him."
"I dismissed him, of course. How dare he leave you there while taking only me."
Kristen frowned. "Then you will just have to rehire him. I threatened his life if he didn't take you and go, Mel. I'll not have him get into trouble on my behalf."
Mel sighed. She realized she was being quite irrational, but she would positively die if something happened to Kristen, and she had been sitting there for hours worried sick about her. She waved her hand at Chester.
"Go find him before he gets too far away and tell him to come back, that Lady Kristen wishes to see him."
Chester bowed and left to do as he was told. Mel grabbed Kristen's hands.
"Are you alright, love?"
"Yes, of course." Kristen answered. "I could use a cup of tea, though."
"Oh, good heavens, where are my manners? Derrick, would you care to join us?"
He smiled graciously. "I'm afraid I have some matters to attend to, but may I come by later to check on you both?"
Kristen nodded and smiled slightly. She liked the gentlemanly side of Derrick and hoped it wasn't a game. Her guard was still up, but she thought it best to be polite for now. She needed to make a good impression on society, and he could certainly ruin her chances for a match if he were of a mind to do so.
Derrick bowed and took his leave of the ladies, and they made their way to the parlor for tea. As they sat down, Mel pounced on her.
"I want every last detail."
Kristen smiled and leaned back in the chair. While they waited for their tea, she told Mel everything that happened. She left out the part about Guy having Derrick watch over Mel as she didn't know how to take that. Was Guy worried about her safety, or was he worried she might be taking lovers? Until she had a chance to ask Derrick about it, she thought it best not to say anything to Mel.
"Well, I certainly think he's entertaining the notion of reconsidering your contract, love." Mel pointed out with some happiness.
"Hardly. I think it's just a game for him."
"Why are you so cynical where he is concerned?"
"What reason do I have not to be?" Kristen challenged.
Mel conceded for the time being, but only because she knew Kristen was quite tired. But, there was the small matter of putting her out to society.
"We received an invitation to the Lauer's ball. I know you wanted to wait until the start of next week, but this is one of the most prestigious balls of the season. We should go."
Kristen sighed softly. "When is it?"
"Tomorrow night."
Mrs. Sterling knocked on the door and then entered with the tea. She set it on the table and then quietly left. Kristen frowned, noticing the housekeeper's quietness, which was unusual for her. Kristen looked at Mel.
"Just how bad of a mood have you been in since you got home?"
Mel blushed as she poured the tea. "It's not my fault. My best friend had sent me off so that she could face a bowman in the woods. A man, whom I'd like to remind you, killed one of my footmen. I was a tad upset when I got home."
Kristen grinned. "Well, I don't think I've ever seen Mrs. Sterling look so subservient."
Mel laughed. "I don't think any of them knew what to do with me before you arrived. I completely railed at the driver. I'll be handing out some much warranted apologies today it seems."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that. Perhaps it's best if I - "
"Finish that sentence and I'll pour the entire contents of the teapot over your head. Now, we've had this discussion before. You're staying here, and I'm helping you."
Mel looked so serious that Kristen had to laugh. She laughed until her stomach began hurting and then she laughed some more. It was so infectious that even Mel joined in, her tension at the whole situation subsiding now that Kristen was home and safe.
***
When Derrick got home, his first thought was to dispatch some men to find out who it was that wanted Kristen
dead. She may not be willing to tell him anything, but he had always found money was an excellent motivator for most people to loosen their tongues. When he walked in the door, though, he was given some new that effectively derailed him.
"Sir, Ms. Alice is in your study, awaiting your return."
Derrick furrowed his brow in disgust. What the devil was his mistress doing at his house, in the middle of the day. He handed his coat and hat to Williams and frowned.
"Did she say what she wanted?"
"No sir, only that if I didn't let her in, she would make a scene the whole of the neighborhood would be talking about. Nasty sort of girl, sir."
"She serves her purpose, Williams."
"Yes, sir."
The butler bowed and took his leave. Williams had been with Derrick the longest out of the servants in the household. He was aware of the family secret that kept Derrick a confirmed bachelor, but he had always believed that Derrick could do better than Alice. There was something about that woman that made Williams sick to his stomach. But, it was Derrick's life to live, and Williams was just a servant.
Derrick headed straight for the study, hoping to dispense with whatever Alice required rather quickly. He opened the door and found her sitting behind his desk reading his papers. He slammed the door shut behind him and crossed his arms as leaned back against it, giving Alice his most intimidating glare. He didn't like that she had shown up, and he didn't like her going through his papers.
"Is there something I can help you with, my dear?"
Alice looked up, undaunted. "Yes. For starters, you can explain this marriage contract, and when you were planning on telling me about it."
Alice tossed the contract on the desk and leaned back in Derrick's chair. She regarded him coolly with a frosty glare of her own. How dare he stand her up, and then go and get himself engaged? It was unthinkable, and she wouldn't stand for it. She couldn't stand for i
t. Without Derrick, there was no reason to stay and she would have to go back home.
"I don't see how that concerns you." He replied simply, shrugging his shoulders.
His entire demeanor about the situation infuriated her, but she would not lose her temper. She had learned long ago that losing your temper with Derrick was a mistake. But, the man could make a saint lose patience, that's for sure.
"Derrick, if marriage is what you seek, I could assist you in that manner." She offered helpfully.
"I don't think so." He shoved off the wall and walked to the brandy table.
Alice watched as he poured himself a generous glass of the liquid that so often matched his eyes. "Do you love her?" She asked softly.
Derrick winced as he looked at her. "Don't be absurd."
"Then why marry her?"
"I'm not." Derrick took a drink.
"Then what's this contract about?"
"It's really not your concern, now is it? I've been patient enough, having come in to find you snooping around my things, but I'm fast losing my patience with you. Why are you here, in the middle of the day, without my invitation?"
Alice sighed. She had hoped they were growing closer, but she was beginning to see that Derrick still only saw her as a mistress. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, and the fact that the person he was betrothed to was her target only made her angrier. She stood up and faced him.
"You didn't show up last night - "
"I'm not obligated to show up, Alice. Our arrangement is such that I show up when I have need of you. Obviously I didn't have need of you last night." He gave her a cursory look before he returned his attention to the brandy in his hands.
Alice stiffened. She knew he could be cruel. Most men could, but she had hoped Derrick was different. He could be gentle and kind when he was of a mind, but men treated women like her different than the innocents of their class. She was expendable to him. She bit down on the inside of her cheek to keep from yelling at him. He wanted to use her and then leave her high and dry when it was convenient for him, did he? Well, she'd be damned if she would allow that to happen. She would make his life a living hell first.
"I see. Well, then I should take my leave."
"It would be best if you started to seek other arrangements for yourself, Alice. I'm becoming quite bored with ours."
She had been in the process of walking to the door, but stopped when he made that announcement. She looked at him, but he looked more bored than interested in what she had to say. If only he knew that she could rip out his throat right now. If only he knew how close she was to doing so. But, she was trained better than that. She had more control over her actions and knew that he was deliberately pushing her buttons. So, instead of responding at all, she simply left. But, Derrick Shane hadn't heard the last of her.
Derrick watched her over the rim of his brandy glass. He had been in the smuggling business long enough to know when someone was snooping. Alice may think she's smart, but he knew she wasn't who she said she was. That never mattered before now because she functioned in one capacity only, but he could read her better than she thought. Somehow, Kristen had just become her number one target. He had no doubt the woman would make things very difficult for him where Kristen was concerned.
But, the very idea that he should marry her was ridiculous. He had been perfectly clear on the terms of their arrangement, and he wasn't about to go back on that now. If things were different, he might consider marrying Kristen. But, between Charlie and Tristan, Derrick was sure Kristen would turn away in disgust, unable to tolerate their secret. He didn't think he could handle that, and it bothered him that he cared. He drained his glass and filled it again.
Chapter 11
The following day, Kristen was in a melancholy mood. What she needed was a few days respite somewhere away from her life, but she knew that wasn't possible, so she stopped thinking about it before it depressed her even further. That night was to be her first appearance to the ton, and she was understandably nervous. Mel had been so excited that she had received an invitation to the Laurer's ball. She said that anyone who was anyone would be at this ball, and it would be the single most influential event of the season. They simply had to go.
Kristen thought Mel was rather poetic about it, but couldn't dredge up much interest herself. It wasn't even the need to find a husband with all due haste that bothered her, it was that she simply didn't care for the social scene, and she never had. Kristen much preferred the quiet of the country, or an adventure around the world. She couldn't help feeling rather cooped up in London society, feeling as if there was more to life than this boring tirade of balls and social niceties. But, truth be told, she had Derrick Shane on her mind entirely too much since they had met. She sighed to herself again, thinking she ought not to like him. The bounder had suggested she be his mistress, for crying out loud. The very thought both enraged and delighted her, which absolutely made no sense.
And, then there was the rescue. Well, it wasn't truly a rescue since she could have handled the situation herself. But, he had apologized for the mistress comment, though he still hadn't offered to marry her. He did want to help, though, which utterly baffled her. And, what did it mean that he "liked" her? Was that some sort of polite brush off? Was she not worthy of marriage? And, why should there by anything the matter with her? Perhaps the issue was entirely him. Yes, that seemed far more likely as far as she was concerned.
Oh, but he was everything she wanted and knew she shouldn't. He was a cad and a rake, to be sure. Nothing but misery awaited her down that road, at least that's what her mother used to say. But, he was devilishly handsome with those eyes the way they lit up from within. She had been sure it was the firelight playing tricks on her that night in the cave, but she decided that his eyes must be that glowing amber color whenever he was in an extreme mood. And they had haunted her dreams every night since she'd seen them. Deciding she needed to relax and take her mind off all things Derrick Shane or marriage related, Kristen went for a stroll through Mel's garden.
But, it was no good. She had gotten no further than the rose bushes and thoughts of Derrick assaulted her again. She caught herself wondering what it would be like to take an evening stroll with Derrick in just such a place. And, as if by thinking of him she made him appear before her, he was suddenly there. She stopped abruptly and took in the sight of him. Even her memory, clear as she'd thought it was from the day before, didn't do him justice.
"Derrick, you startled me."
“Really? I didn't think a woman so skilled in combat could be startled.” He arched one of his finely shaped brows in mocking question.
Kristen chose to ignore his tone for he certainly cut a dashing figure, one that wreaked havoc with her senses. His clothes looked as if they were made for no one but him. His shoulders filled in nicely to his black coat and the cravat he wore loosely around his neck revealed the strong cords there. She allowed her gaze to travel down the length of him, greedily taking him all in, afraid this would be the last she would see of him. His legs molded perfectly with the black material of his breeches, and those were tucked into shining black Hessian boots. Kristen decided that black suited him perfectly; it gave him an almost sinister look, but a devilishly handsome one nonetheless. When she had looked her fill, her eyes returned to his and she immediately blushed for she'd just been unforgivably rude.
“Forgive me, I seemed to have taken leave of my senses, a circumstance that happens a great deal when you're around.”
Derrick wanted to laugh, for she was quite funny in her honesty. She was so different from the other ladies of his acquaintance. Detached and calm, even aloof when the need arose. But, underneath that calm was a storm as violent as any the sea could produce. Just watching her assess him caused his libido to rise, and he had to breathe deeply to keep from attacking her there in the garden. He needed to keep his wits about him if he was to get through this meeting with her. So, rake that he was, he began to look her over wi
th the same casual perusal she had given him.
She wore a light blue day dress with a low neckline, though it was still modest by the ton's standards. It seemed to fit her quite snugly, particularly around the breasts, which he let his eyes linger on for a moment more than was proper, and then it flared slightly at her hips and fell in loose folds to her toes. And while he couldn't see her legs just now, he remembered how shapely they had been when she had tucked her dress into her belt. He smiled wickedly, a gesture that gave Kristen the distinct impression he was undressing her with those amber eyes. But, he was most pleased to see that the bruises he was sure she received in the cave had cleared up. He had been certain that if he even glimpsed a mark on her beautiful skin, he might have killed Peevely and not thought twice about it.
Other sensations assaulted Kristen as she stood there, watching him as he looked her over. Her body tingled everywhere his eyes strayed. She was losing sense of herself with him so near, his heady male scent lingering in her nostrils with each inhale. She breathed deeply, desperately trying to commit his smell to her memory.
“My lord, now you're staring.”
“I know.” He grinned at her.
Kristen's heart skipped a beat. He made her feel...strange, like nothing she had ever felt before. Since she wasn't entirely sure she liked his answer she tried again.
"I didn't get a chance to apologize for punching you yesterday. I'm glad there wasn't any permanent damage."
Derrick laughed huskily. "No, nothing permanent, though my nose is still quite tender to the touch." He teased her, watching her tongue dart out to wet her lips as she blushed.
"Well, as I said, I apologize."
"Apology accepted."
He continued to stare at her, not speaking, just watching her. It was making Kristen uncomfortable. She didn't know what to say or why he was there.
"Why are you here?" She blurted out.
Kristen bit back her embarrassment at the question. It was a perfectly logical question, even if its delivery was rather blunt. Derrick didn't seem to mind, though. He smiled, his eyes glowing merrily.
