Scarlet Kisses

by Tish Westwood

  “Mother told me you only attended for a few minutes and then left with a headache.”

  “Yes.”

  “So you never saw this Scarlet woman?”

  Stay calm. “No. It was very crowded I could hardly find anyone in the crowd.”

  “You didn’t see Lilly?”

  Lilly. Perfect. “Actually I did,” she said. “I spoke to her for moment before I left.”

  “Ah.” Harry nodded. “So she saw you, wearing…?”

  “A blue gown. Why are you asking me these questions?” she demanded.

  Harry shook his head. “No reason. I just missed the most popular event of the year and wanted to know what happened that night.”

  Alyssum nodded. “If that’s all?” she said after a moments silence.

  “Yes.” Harry stepped past, heading for the door. “Sleep well,” he said before leaving the room and closing the door. Alyssum frowned after him and then turned her gaze to under her bed. She gave herself a mental note to visit Lilly tomorrow. She needed her friend to do a huge favor for her.

  As Harry stood outside Alyssum’s bedroom door, he felt something wasn’t right. He and the others had gone over the list bit by bit and had eliminated most of the ladies. There were now only five ladies on the list. One of them was Scarlet. But what unsettled him was that Alyssum was on that list too. With a sigh Harry stepped away from Alyssum’s door and walked towards his own bedroom.

  “I’m here to see Lilly.” Alyssum smiled at the Darrel’s butler.

  “Come in, my lady. I will go inform Miss Darrel that you are here.”

  “Thank you.” Alyssum walked past him and straight over to the parlor, not bothering to be escorted. She had visited often enough that she felt she didn’t need to live by the laws of society.

  Sitting down on the white settee, she folded her hands in her pink gown and waited. Lilly walked in a moment later. Her black hair was bound, her white dress straight, not a wrinkle in place. Lilly and her parents had come from America with big money from her father’s perfume business. The ton had welcomed them, but still treated them like lower class behind their backs. It was why Lilly’s parents were strict with her. She always had to look perfect, was never allowed to have a hair out of place, never allowed to slouch, always had to hold her pinky out when drinking her tea. She had to act the perfect English miss. Only Alyssum knew how much she hated it.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Lilly gushed before grabbing Alyssum’s hands and pulling her up off the settee. She led her out the room, down the hall and through the glass doors. They stepped out onto the terrace but Lilly didn’t stop there. She took them down the stairs, around a hedge before coming to a stop with a happy sigh.

  “Are you well?” Alyssum asked with an amused smile as they stood in the quiet garden.

  “I’m well, just suffocating under the watchful eye of Rickton.” Lilly shuddered.

  Alyssum smiled, knowing the familiar name of Lilly’s chaperon. Old and strict, she was like a hawk watching its prey, and her prey was every man that approached Lilly.

  With a loud sigh, Lilly dropped down onto the grass and sprawled out.

  “Your parents would kill you if they saw what you were doing to that gown,” Alyssum said.

  Lilly laughed then sat. She patted the grass beside her and Alyssum sat beside her.

  “I need a favor.” Alyssum turned her head and looked at Lilly.

  “Anything.” Lilly nodded, her brown eyes staring at Alyssum with love and loyalty.

  “I have a feeling Harry may ask you a few questions about me and Lady Brook’s masquerade.”

  “But you weren’t there. I looked for you.”

  “I was there,” Alyssum admitted with a meek expression.

  Lilly frowned.

  “I was wearing a scarlet gown.”

  Lilly’s eyes slowly widened. “You?” she breathed.

  “Me.” Alyssum nodded.

  Lilly squealed and shuffled closer. “You have to tell me everything,” she demanded with eager eyes. “Where did you get that gown? Why? How?”

  Alyssum laughed at her excitement. “I bought it. Violet helped me. It was Jaz’s idea.”

  Lilly shook her head. “Trusting that little demon.”

  Alyssum gasped and nudged Lilly’s shoulder at Jaz’s defense.

  “Alyssum, why?” Lilly asked seriously.

  “I wanted to have fun.”

  Lilly remained quiet then nodded. “I can understand that. Did you have fun?” Lilly laughed as Alyssum blushed. “My, my, what have you been up to, Alyssum?”

  “I’ll tell you everything if you promise me something.”

  “Done.” Lilly gave a curt nod.

  “If Harry asks you anything about me and the masquerade tell him we spoke for a moment before I left with a headache.”

  “Okay.”

  “And I was wearing a blue gown.”

  “Too easy. Now give me the gossip.” She leaned in.

  Alyssum took a deep breath then announced, “I kissed Robert.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Robert, Viscount Lambert.”

  “Holy hell,” Lilly breathed with widening eyes.

  “Lilly!” Alyssum scolded her.

  “You kissed Viscount Lambert?”

  “Yes.”

  “How was it?” Lilly whispered.

  Alyssum’s blush burned brighter.

  “I see.” Lilly nodded with a smile. “And what does he think of all this?”

  “He doesn’t know.”

  “Pardon?”

  “He doesn’t know who I am. We were wearing masks.”

  “Then how do you know it was he?”

  “He took his off.”

  “He didn’t want to know who you were?”

  “Ah, yes, but…I stopped him.”

  “How did you stop him?” Lilly asked curiously.

  “I kneed him.”

  “Kneed him? Where?”

  Alyssum cleared her throat then looked down to Lilly’s lap.

  Lilly looked down, then up and back down. With a gasp and wide eyes, she laughed. “You kicked his bollocks?”

  “Lilly!” she covered her friend’s mouth with her hand.

  Lilly brushed her hand away with a laugh. “He doesn’t know he kissed you?”

  “No, and I want it to stay that way.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “I know.”

  “People are talking about the woman who was wearing scarlet.”

  “I know. I’ve heard the talk. It’ll die down soon.”

  Lilly face twisted in thought. “So Viscount Lambert wanted to know who you were so much that you had to knee him?”

  “Yes,” Alyssum slowly answered.

  “Do you think he’ll look for you?”

  Alyssum looked to her hands. “I think he’s already looking.”

  Lilly’s eyes widened in excitement.

  “And I think Harry is helping.” Alyssum looked up to her.

  “Liss, you’ve gotten yourself into a pickle.”

  Alyssum nodded in agreement. They were silent for a moment before Lilly asked, “Do you ever think of seeing him again?”

  “How do you mean?”

  “As the woman in scarlet.”

  Alyssum began shaking her head. “It would be a bad, bad idea.”

  “But lots of fun.” Lilly arched a brow with grin.

  “It’s a bad idea.”

  “Alyssum, do you want to kiss Robert again?”

  Alyssum hesitated with her answer. “Yes,” she admitted.

  “Then see him again. Just wear the mask.”

  Alyssum couldn’t believe it, but she was contemplating Lilly’s idea.

  Chapter Six

  Lady Pamela Carrington.

  Lady Lisa Knight.

  Miss Lilly Darrel.

  Lady Katherine Jenkins.

  Lady Alyssum Rosewood.

  Those were the names that rested in Robert’s brea
st pocket. One of them was Scarlet. She had to be. As he walked into the Earl of Hopehill’s soirée his thoughts ran to the earl’s daughter, Lady Pamela Carrington. As he reached the top of the line, he bowed his head to the earl’s wife then the earl himself.

  “Good of you to come, Viscount Lambert,” Hopehill spoke.

  “Thank you for the invitation into your lovely home.” He saw Hopehill’s conceited wife smile happily at his compliment.

  He moved past them and into the gathering of people. He ambled around the room, looking for Harry. When he spotted his friend, he walked through the crowd, ignoring the people who tried to grab his attention.

  He felt the list in his breast pocket burn as he spotted Alyssum beside Harry. As always, she looked beautiful. Her green gown was respectable for society’s eyes. Not a curl was out of place from her coiffure. His gaze moved to the lady beside her. Miss Lilly Darrel. He felt his heart beat faster as he stared at two of the women on his list.

  “Robert,” Harry greeted him. He noticed Alyssum stiffen at his name.

  “Harry. Alyssum.” He nodded curtly to her. She gave a small bob instead of a full curtsey. He couldn’t help but smile at her. “And Miss Darrel.” He bowed his head to her.

  “Viscount Lambert.” She curtseyed low. Robert frowned at her sultry voice. When she looked back up at him, she wore a mischievous grin. Robert’s heart jumped at the possibility he had just found his Scarlet. He felt himself fearing the notion instead of rejoicing. Miss Darrel was lovely, but his gaze kept shifting to the lady beside her—Alyssum.

  “Excuse us, ladies,” Harry said then nudged Robert to follow him.

  Robert took a step back while still looking at Lilly curiously. Could she be Scarlet? His gaze landed on Alyssum before he turned and followed Harry into the card room.

  He spotted Tucker, Jackson and Duke in the room, overlooking a game.

  “You ready, Lambert?” Jackson grinned with a lip bruised from Harry’s fist.

  “Lilly Darrel,” Robert said, after making sure no one could eavesdrop on their conversation.

  “The American, what about her?” Jackson frowned.

  “She grinned at me.”

  “Ooo, scary,” Tucker laughed.

  “She was acting out of character,” Harry said.

  “You think she’s Scarlet?” Duke asked casually. He had been nonchalant and unconcerned about Robert finding his Scarlet.

  Robert shrugged.

  “He doesn’t seem very excited about the prospect,” Tucker muttered to Jackson.

  “I’m going to go find out.” Robert turned around and walked back into the crush of people with a determined march. The others watched him leave.

  “He won’t cause a scene, will he?” Duke asked, now standing to full attention.

  They all pondered Duke’s question and then moved as one to follow Robert.

  “Miss Darrel.”

  Lilly turned as her name was spoken. She tried to hide her knowing grin as she raised her chin to look up at Robert. “Viscount Lambert.” She curtsied.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked, ignoring the other women that were around her.

  She looked around and spotted Rickton watching her with squinting eyes.

  “I would be honored.” She offered him her hand. He took it and led her to the dance floor.

  She stood in line with the rest of the ladies dancing and smiled as Robert stood across from her with the other men. He stared at her so intently, as if trying to solve a problem.

  As the dance began, they both moved in together.

  “Did you attend Lady Brook’s masquerade?” he asked as he took her hand and they circled.

  Lilly felt her eyes widen. He wasn’t even going to start with light chatter. The man was on a mission. Before she could reply, they moved apart. Lilly was ready when they came together again. “Of course I did. I wore a stunning green gown my father purchased for me.”

  Robert felt himself relaxing. He didn’t understand it, but he was happy that this wasn’t his Scarlet. She was still out there to be found.

  “Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked.

  “Yes. And it was good to see Alyssum. I hadn’t seen her in months while she was in the country.”

  “You saw Alyssum?” Robert tried not to growl in annoyance as the dance moved them apart.

  When they came together, she answered, “Yes, only for a moment though, she had a headache and left early.”

  “Could you tell me the color of her gown that night?”

  Lilly smiled sweetly at him. She took his hands and they turned. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?” She fluttered her lashes, trying to look the innocent.

  Before he could push her for more information the dance ended and they stepped back into their lines. Robert bowed low as she curtsied. They clapped lightly to the musicians and Robert stepped forward and took her waiting, outstretched hand. He led her back the group he had taken her from and the ladies fluttered their fans, hiding their smiles as he approached.

  “Thank you for the dance.” Robert placed a kiss on her knuckles and stepped back.

  “My pleasure,” she replied.

  He bowed curtly, ready to move away, but his eyes caught on a lady with midnight-black hair. Pamela Carrington.

  “Lady Carrington.” He bowed to her.

  She preened at his acknowledgment and lowered her fan. “Viscount Lambert.” She curtseyed low, giving him a view of her cleavage.

  Robert overlooked her display. “May I have this dance?”

  “It would be my pleasure.” She gave him her hand.

  Lilly watched Viscount Lambert and Lady Carrington walk out onto the dance floor before she looked around the room for Alyssum. Instead she spotted Harry with his cronies. Her brow creased as she noticed them watching Robert dance with Lady Carrington intently. They watched his every move.

  “Hmm,” she hummed in interest. She excused herself from the group and walked around the dance floor to reach Harry. On the way, her gaze caught on Alyssum standing beside Violet.

  Alyssum watched the dancers while holding a glass of punch. Lilly noticed that she shifted her gaze away from the dancing couples as Lady Carrington’s laughter filled the dance floor.

  Lilly moved with purpose as she rounded the room. He stood with his back to her. She reached up, uncaring of watchful gazes, and tugged on the back of his coat.

  Harry turned quickly to see who had tugged on his coat. He looked down and a bright smile curved his lips as he saw a friendly face.

  “Lilly.” He bowed.

  “Hello, Harry. I was just curious as to why all you gentlemen are watching Viscount Lambert in such an…intent way.” She looked at each of the men who now watched her.

  “And how would you know we were watching him?” Jackson stepped forward and asked.

  Lilly kept her chin high as she looked up at the infamous Mr. West. She had been warned about him. “I have eyes,” she replied tartly.

  “So were those pretty eyes watching Robert or Harry?” He arched a brow.

  “Maybe they were watching you.” She arched her brow back at him.

  Jackson found himself smiling at the brazen minx before him.

  “Miss Darrel,” a stern, whip-lashing voice broke their gaze.

  Lilly groaned before turning her gaze to Rickton. Grey hair pulled back tight, stern lips twisted in disapproval and a grey itchy-looking gown, Rickton flicked her hand towards her, indicating for Lilly to come with her. Lilly took a deep breath then faced the men before her. She curtseyed and then strode over to Miss Rickton.

  “I’m going to get some air. It’s really crowded in here,” Alyssum told Violet.

  “Okay,” Violet replied, but Alyssum was already heading for the terrace doors.

  Outside in the cool air, Alyssum took a deep breath. Her chest had hurt as she had watched Robert hold Lady Carrington, dancing with her, making her laugh.

  Needing to be far away she strode down the stairs quickly an
d walked over the grass. She walked behind the rows of hedges. No longer able to see the house, she dropped down and lay out on the grass. The skirts of her green gown fanned out. She could hear the distant music and laughter. She sighed and looked up at the black sky. She missed the country. When she lay beneath the night sky at her family’s country estate she could see the stars. Seeing something so beautiful usually washed away her anger. Now, with no stars in the sky, she only wanted to go back in time, stand on Lady Brook’s balcony and knee Robert again.

  She sat bolt straight as she heard a giggle over on the other side of the hedge.

  Oh, please no. Please, please—

  “Viscount Lambert, you naughty man,” Lady Pamela Carrington gushed.

  Alyssum closed her eyes and groaned quietly.

  “This will only take a moment and then I’ll get you back inside,” Robert’s clipped voice reached her.

  Alyssum snorted in an unladylike manner. Only a moment? He had spent longer than a moment with her. Two or three at least. Alyssum stood with a huff as she heard Pamela giggle.

  “You are a skilled kisser,” Pamela breathed.

  Alyssum rolled her eyes. “Tart,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Let’s get you back inside,” Robert said.

  “No, let’s stay here,” Pamela urged.

  Alyssum waited, almost pressing her ear to the prickly hedge to hear Robert’s reply.

  “I’m going inside,” Robert said offhandedly. “You can stay out here if you want.”

  Alyssum felt a smile tug her lips as she heard his footsteps and Pamela’s huff of outrage. Pamela stomped over the grass as she returned to the soirée. Alyssum dusted off her dress and waited a few minutes before making her return.

  Robert walked straight over to Harry and the others when he reentered the gathering.

  “Report?” Tucker ordered then laughed. He lightly swayed on his feet and Duke grabbed his arm and held him steady. Robert arched a brow at Tucker’s drunkenness.

  “Not her,” he informed them.

  “So it’s not Lilly and it’s not Pamela,” Harry said.

  “Are you sure it’s not Lilly?” Jackson asked. “She seems like a minx under those prim clothes.”

  “I’m sure. When I was dancing with her she was too short to be Scarlet.”