Scarlet Kisses

by Tish Westwood

  “Excuse me, Alyssum.” Duke bowed his head then left and followed after Robert.

  “You too?” Alyssum looked up to Harry, who smiled.

  “I’ll see you at dinner.” He patted her hand then disentangled his arm from hers.

  Alyssum watched as Harry and Duke walked towards Robert who stood beside a servant and took a drink from the tray.

  As Robert took the brandy from the tray, he tried to dull out his sudden anger at seeing Alyssum flirting with Duke. He had never seen her like that, smiling, grinning at another man. He now wondered how many men she had flirted with when he never even thought about Alyssum with men. She had always just been Alyssum to him. Simple, infuriating, beautiful Alyssum.

  “Robert, are you all right?” Harry asked as he and Duke appeared beside him.

  “I’m fine.” He took a sip of his drink. “Boring night, is it not?”

  “I’ve found it quite eventful,” Duke replied.

  “Robert, Lisa Knight is here tonight,” Harry informed him.

  “Great. Just what I needed.” He looked over to the doorway in time to see Alyssum leaving the room, probably on her way to view Lord Avery’s art collection. He drank the rest of the brandy in one gulp and set the empty glass on the table. “Excuse me,” he muttered and stalked away.

  Robert’s boots thudded over the floor as he made his way to the cause of his anger. Alyssum stood smiling beside Violet and Jackson in Avery’s gallery. Jackson’s gaze caught his as he approached and his friend frowned, obviously noticing the anger in Robert’s gaze. He stepped forward, leaving the girls to stand before Robert.

  “What are you doing?” he muttered, but Robert ignored him, stepped around him and stood before Alyssum.

  “Enjoying yourself?” he asked.

  Alyssum’s smile slipped as she looked up at Robert. “It’s a nice evening, yes.”

  Violet and Jackson both watched them carefully.

  “Enjoy speaking with Duke?”

  A crease furrowed Alyssum’s brow as she answered. “Yes.”

  “It seemed you did.”

  “What are you getting at?” She took an angry step forward, tilting her head back to look at him.

  “Nothing. You just seemed quite a natural at flirting with Duke.”

  Jackson groaned behind him, while Violet’s eyes widened as she watched intently.

  “Excuse me?” Alyssum whispered with wrath and took another step forward. “I was doing what?”

  “Flirting.” He nodded with a tight smile. “You did it quite well. Looking to become a duchess?”

  “Oh.” Alyssum breathed deeply and shook her head. “You’re one to talk. How many women have you flirted with?”

  “Lost count.” Robert shrugged.

  “How many women have you snuck out onto the terrace with during dinners, luncheons, balls?”

  “Why do you ask?” He took a step forward, almost brushing her chest with his. “Would you like to join me on the terrace?” he spoke quietly to her.

  “Oh, no,” Violet whispered and looked around to check that no one else was in gallery.

  Alyssum, no longer able to speak in her rage, raised her foot and brought it down hard on Robert’s boot. She smiled as Robert cringed and groaned.

  “Anything else you would like to say?” she demanded.

  “He’s done.” Jackson stepped in, grabbed Robert’s arm and dragged him out of the gallery and back into the parlor.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Jackson demanded as they walked through the parlor. “You want Harry to kick your ass?”

  Robert grumbled then stopped limping.

  “Well?” Jackson demanded. “What the hell happened back there?”

  “I didn’t like seeing her flirting with Duke,” Robert snapped.

  Jackson ran his gaze over the crowd and paused on a young miss with black hair. “There’s Lisa Knight.”

  Robert looked through the crowd then stared at the smiling Miss Knight. She was completely unaware that she was on a list that rested inside Robert’s coat.

  “Are you going to go talk to her?”

  Robert shook his head slowly. “Not tonight,” he muttered and looked away.

  “You do realize that could be Scarlet?”

  Before Robert could reply, a servant stepped into the room. “Dinner is served,” he announced.

  They filed into the dining room and took their seats. Robert’s gaze was on Alyssum as she sat on the opposite side of the table, farther up.

  He was staring at her again. Alyssum shifted in her seat and kept her gaze fixed on Lord Avery who was speaking. Her neck tingled with complete awareness of Robert’s gaze. She couldn’t believe the anger he’d displayed in the gallery. She had just been talking to Duke, and he had dared to call her a flirt.

  Taking deep breaths, she concentrated on Lord Avery who seemed very pleased to have her undivided attention. But even though her eyes were on him, her mind was on Robert. Her heart began beating faster as she remembered their rendezvous at the tavern. She could see his eyes as he stared down at her with passion, feel his body molding to hers as his hands clutched her to him. It had been so different. They had reunited in a fiery passion, wanting each other so desperately over the week that they had been separated. She didn’t know how much longer she could be around Robert as just Alyssum and not give herself away somehow. She found herself wanting to kiss him every time he stood near her. Even when he was angering her.

  After dinner, the ladies left the room and returned to the parlor while the men stayed to have their port.

  “You couldn’t keep your eyes off her,” a gentleman laughed as he spoke to Avery.

  Harry looked over and listened to the conversation.

  “Lady Alyssum is mesmerizing,” Avery replied, which caught Harry and Robert’s attention.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen.” Harry stood and walked towards the parlor. He knew to leave before Avery started fishing around at marrying Alyssum.

  He made his way straight to his sisters and mother. “Fifteen more minutes and we’re leaving,” he whispered.

  “Thank God,” Alyssum replied quietly. Violet laughed when their mother huffed.

  “Well, I’m enjoying myself,” she told her children.

  “That’s because you don’t have Avery drooling down your chest,” Harry said, which caused Alyssum and Violet to laugh and Caroline to huff louder.

  Harry looked over as the other men entered the parlor. He spotted Jackson, Robert and Duke. “Excuse me.” He nodded his head to his family and made his way across the room and out onto the terrace.

  “What’s going on?” he asked the men as they all stood out on the terrace.

  “It’s not Lisa Knight,” Robert announced.

  “And how do you know that?” Harry crossed his arms.

  “I’ve had Scarlet up against me aplenty. I know her body and Lisa doesn’t have the same curves.”

  “He’s trying to say her breasts are too small.”

  “Thank you, Jackson,” Robert said and Jackson nodded.

  “So it’s Katherine Jenkins. Congratulations,” Harry said.

  “There is still someone on that list,” Duke spoke cautiously.

  Harry glared. Duke shrugged and leaned back on the railing, pulling a cigar out of his coat pocket. “Is anyone going to say it?” he asked as he lit the cigar and took a long draw.

  “Alyssum Rosewood,” Jackson said with a grin.

  “You want another black eye?” Harry asked.

  Jackson sighed. “It just healed,” he muttered.

  “Alyssum is beautiful,” Duke said. He then held his hands out as Harry and Robert glared.

  “It’s a possibility you should at least check,” he mumbled around his cigar.

  “I’m with Duke, and I speak for Tucker as well,” Jackson said.

  “Where is Tucker?” Harry asked.

  “His father,” Duke answered and they all murmured in understanding.

  “A
nyone notice Alyssum’s new haircut?” Jackson muttered and Harry sighed for patience.

  “Scarlet,” Harry snapped, “is not Alyssum.”

  “We’ll see,” Jackson replied.

  “What about her new haircut?” Robert asked, confused.

  “It looks nice,” Duke said.

  “It’s covering her forehead,” Jackson said exasperated. “Doesn’t anyone see that? Robert, you told us when Alyssum saw you again she head clocked you. I think that would cause a bruise.” He stared at them like they were idiots then frowned as they all stared at him strangely. “What?”

  “You said when Alyssum saw him again,” Duke answered.

  “Did I? Huh. That’s just because I think it’s her.” He shrugged his shoulder then jumped back as Harry came for him.

  “Easy.” Duke grabbed Harry before he reached Jackson. “We’re not in the tavern.” He shoved him back.

  “When we leave this house…” Harry warned Jackson.

  “I’m shaking,” Jackson mocked, causing Harry to growl.

  “Harry, when did Alyssum cut her hair?” Robert asked dazedly.

  “I don’t know, I only just noticed it when Jackson mentioned it.”

  Robert furrowed his brow.

  “I’m heading home,” Harry muttered then turned and walked back inside the parlor.

  “He’s not going to consider it, is he?” Duke muttered.

  “There’s nothing to consider. Alyssum isn’t Scarlet,” Robert snapped angrily and walked back into the parlor as well.

  On the carriage ride back home, Alyssum noticed Harry looking at her strangely. When they arrived back home and entered the foyer she noticed him frowning in thought. Worried he was about to ask her more questions or ask about her new haircut, she excused herself to her bedroom and walked up the stairs quickly.

  After entering her bedroom, she sighed but then jumped as a knock came to her door. Taking a deep breath, she turned and opened it. She kept her face serene as she saw Harry standing outside the door.

  “Can I speak to you?” he asked, his tone low and serious.

  She nodded jerkily and opened the door wide. He walked in then looked around her room.

  “What would you like to speak to me about?”

  Harry took a deep breath before saying, “Lady Brook’s masquerade.” Alyssum made herself smile. “I must have missed quite a night.” She shook her head. “Everyone wants to know everything about that night.”

  “No.” Harry stepped forward. “We want to know who the woman in scarlet was.”

  Alyssum shrugged while her heart raced and her palms grew damp. “I don’t think I got to see her.”

  “The blue dress you wore that night, may I see it?”

  Alyssum frowned but nodded. “Of course.” She walked around him and opened her wardrobe. She reached in, pushed some dresses aside then pulled out a blue silk dress.

  She held it up to him.

  “It’s lovely.” He nodded.

  “It’s a shame I didn’t get to wear it for longer.”

  “What about the blue mask?”

  “It’s somewhere in here.” She pointed into her full wardrobe. She watched as Harry rubbed his forehead with his palm.

  “Are you all right, Harry?” she asked, worried about him. He was acting strangely.

  “I like your new haircut,” he told her.

  She smiled and touched her strategically placed fringe. “Thank you.”

  “Did Meg do it?” he asked as he stepped towards her and moved to touch her hair.

  “Yes,” she replied and stepped back. “It’s been a long night, Harry. I would like some sleep.”

  Harry nodded and took a step back. “Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  She closed the door with a deep sigh after Harry left. After putting the blue dress back in the wardrobe, she pulled her own gown off and laid it over the chair in front of her dressing table.

  Sitting on her bed in her undergarments, Alyssum frowned with worry. Harry was suspicious. She feared he would soon find out the truth that she was Scarlet.

  Chapter Ten

  He ran his smooth, soft lips over the sensitive skin at her neck. Her whole body shivered as his tongue licked the rim of her ear. Alyssum felt her body growing hotter by the second as Robert’s warm, naked body lowered over hers, pinning her to the mattress. She gasped as they touched skin to skin. He nudged her legs apart with his as he nibbled at her ear and smoothed his hands over her breasts. She arched and moaned into his touch. He held her breasts in his palms as he nudged his cock against her quivering entrance. She ached with need for him. Running her hands down his hard, muscled back, she moaned at the feel of him then gripped his buttocks in her greedy hands. Robert bit her ear then thrust his hips forward, plunging himself deep inside her wet, giving body. Alyssum groaned…then cried out at the sudden pain she felt.

  Sitting up in her bed, Alyssum looked around and found Violet standing beside her bed. The morning sun shone in through the open curtains. “What are you doing in here?” she demanded. “Did you pinch me?” Alyssum looked down to where her arm hurt.

  “You wouldn’t wake up,” Violet answered. She then tilted her head and stared at Alyssum. “You look a fright.”

  Alyssum sighed and pushed her fringe out of her eyes. Violet cringed at seeing the yellow bruise. “It’s fading,” she said as she inspected it. “But it still looks terrible. How hard did you crack him?”

  “Hard enough,” Alyssum muttered and stood from the bed.

  “How’s your finger?” Violet looked to her bandaged index finger.

  “With the bruise giving me a constant headache I don’t really notice it.”

  Violet nodded with a smile. “You’re running late.”

  “How do you mean?” Alyssum turned as she stood before the water pitcher and basin, ready to wash her face.

  “You slept through breakfast and we have a luncheon to attend at the Darrel’s.”

  Alyssum nodded, remembering.

  “Alyssum, why was Robert so angry with you last night?”

  Alyssum was silent for a moment before answering. “I don’t know. Now please leave, I’ve got to get ready.”

  “You have fifteen minutes,” Violet told her as she walked towards the door, already dressed and ready to go.

  “All right. Send Meg up.”

  “I will.” Violet shut the bedroom door behind her.

  Walking through the Darrel’s townhouse, Alyssum couldn’t help but admire the richly furnished rooms. Alyssum looked at the white tables set out as she stepped onto the sunny terrace. She looked through the small gathering and smiled when she found Lilly surrounded by admirers while a stern-faced Rickton watched closely.

  “I’m going to go talk to Lilly,” Alyssum told Violet. “Come with me.”

  Violet shook her head quickly when she saw how many men were surrounding Lilly. “I’ll stay here.”

  Alyssum smiled in understanding then left her side to go to Lilly.

  Lilly spotted her walking towards her and smiled. “Excuse me.” She nudged her way through her admirers and reached Alyssum halfway across the terrace.

  “What do you think?” Lilly looked around.

  “You did a wonderful job.”

  “Thank you.” Lilly beamed. “My parents are still waiting for some disaster to happen.”

  At that moment, Lilly’s mother reached their side and whispered furiously to her daughter, “You invited him.” Lilly took after her mother in hair color, eye color and beauty. They were both short, petite woman.

  Both Lilly and Alyssum looked over to the doorway to the terrace and saw Robert step out onto the terrace. Alyssum felt her lips tugging into a smile as she saw his cravat was askew. Her body also warmed as she remembered her dream.

  “He will behave,” Lilly told her mother. “Plus, he is held very high in society.”

  “He is only regarded highly in society because of his scandals.”

  “
He has never harmed anyone. His scandals are riding his curricle too fast or…diving into the Thames half-naked.”

  Lilly’s mother gasped in mortification.

  “And at one time he climbed a very large tree to save a cat,” Lilly continued.

  “Enough. Just have the servants keep close eyes on him.”

  “I will.” Lilly smiled then gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.

  “Good to see you, dear.” Lilly’s mother smiled at Alyssum.

  “You too, Mrs. Darrel.”

  Mrs. Darrel bustled around the terrace, making sure everything was in order.

  “I invited him just for you,” Lilly whispered.

  “Hush,” Alyssum whispered back but watched as Robert walked around the tables and stood with Harry, Tucker and Duke.

  “I can’t believe the Duke of Linkinshire came,” Lilly said with excitement. “I thought he would reject the invite.”

  “Well, now it’s a definite that today will be a great success for you.”

  “It will.” Lilly smiled and relaxed.

  Alyssum smiled back, but she found her gaze wandering back to Robert speaking to Tucker.

  “You didn’t invite Mr. West?” Alyssum asked cautiously.

  Lilly smile dropped into an annoyed frown. “He rejected the invite,” she grumbled.

  “Well, that’s no matter, you have a duke here.”

  “Precisely.” Lilly’s smile returned as she looked over the terrace and watched her guests enjoy themselves.

  “Can’t you just try what your father asks?” Robert asked.

  Tucker gaped. “Did you hear what he wants me to do?”

  “Behave yourself?”

  Tucker grumbled. “He wants me to turn into a pompous, plain gentleman.”

  “Just stay out of trouble for a while and your father will loosen the purse strings.”

  “Maybe,” Tucker grouched and took a sip of the punch he was holding.

  “Where did you get that?” Robert asked.

  “Over there.” He pointed back to the entrance of the terrace where a table stood with drinks.

  “Ah.” Robert nodded to Tucker then made his way over to the table.