He nodded to the servant who stood behind the table, looked down to the drinks and stifled a sigh that there wasn’t anything stronger than punch. He jumped slightly as he felt someone grab his hand and pull him. When he looked up he found it was Alyssum tugging him back inside the house. She pulled him to a stop behind the doors inside the townhouse. Robert’s heart was already beating faster, but it pounded when her hands reached up and unraveled his cravat. He swallowed visibly as he found himself wanting her to take off more than his cravat.
“You’ll never do this right, will you?” she muttered as she straightened it to perfection.
“Not when I have you,” he found himself saying. He smiled as he saw her smiling.
When she looked up, he exhaled slowly, calming his heart’s reaction to the sight of her.
“Then get your valet to do it for you.”
Robert shook his head with a cringe. “There’s something about a grown man dressing me that doesn’t sit well with me.” He smiled brightly as Alyssum laughed.
“Much better.” Alyssum surveyed her work. “Now you look like a gentleman and not a rake.”
“Pity.” He grinned.
“If you hadn’t noticed,” Alyssum spoke quietly, “this was my way of apologizing for stomping on your foot last night.”
Robert nodded with a grin. “Apology accepted.” He tilted his head. “So what am I going to have to do for you to accept my apology for being rude?”
“So you did notice you were being rude?” She placed her hands on her hips.
Robert laughed softly. “I noticed.”
“Well, then you can just apologize with your words.”
“I would much rather do it with my hands like you did.” The look in her eyes made his temperature rise.
“N-no, you don’t have to do that,” she stuttered nervously.
Robert’s grin widened as he noticed her stutter. He found himself stepping closer to her. The chatter of the people outside was drowned out by the sight of Alyssum’s wide green eyes staring up at him. Mesmerized, he reached his hand out and brushed her fringe aside, moving her hair away from her gorgeous green eyes. He stilled his hand as she flinched. With a quick flick of his fingers, he swept her fringe aside and revealed a bruise on her forehead. He snapped out of his dazed trance as he saw the bruise.
“What happened?” he demanded in concern.
Alyssum smacked his hand away and pushed her fringe back in place. “I knocked it on a cupboard in the kitchen. It was clumsy of me and I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone.”
“You knocked it on a cupboard?” he repeated as his hand moved to see the bruise again.
“Yes.” She smacked his raised hand aside. “Now excuse me.” She stepped around the door, left the shadowed area and walked out onto the terrace.
Robert stared after her until he lost her in the crowd. His hand rose to his own forehead.
He had iced his bruise quickly and had been lucky that it had faded the next morning. Holding the spot Scarlet had hit, he thought of Alyssum’s bruise and found it was in the right spot. Their bruises matched. Not possible. She couldn’t be…could she? She would never kiss him or sneak into a tavern to see him. Would she? It was mad, but a part him craved it to be real. He was stunned by how much he yearned for it to be true. But it couldn’t be. He had seen it with his own eyes. Scarlet had come to the theatre. She had stood down in the pit while Alyssum had been sitting in her family’s box.
Shaking his head clear, he stepped around the door and walked back outside. He grabbed a drink as he passed the table and walked back to the edge of the terrace where Harry and Tucker stood.
“Is Duke already mingling?” Robert asked and leaned back on the railing like Tucker and Harry were doing.
“Yep,” Tucker answered, his eyes watching the crowd. “Look at them,” he muttered as he watched the laughing crowd. “Scavengers.”
Harry laughed and shook his head.
While Harry and Tucker talked, Robert’s eyes wandered over the gathering until he saw Alyssum.
It was as he stared at her that he knew he wanted her. It struck his heart like a punch. Watching her smile and laugh softly, his whole body came alive. He wanted her. He always had, always would.
“If everyone would take their seats,” Lilly called out and everyone moved for their assigned seats.
As the men pushed off the railing and made their way to the tables, Lilly passed them and smiled at Harry. Robert frowned as he noticed the look. “Are you interested in her?” he asked while nodding back to Lilly.
Harry laughed. “I’m not getting in the way of one of my friends.”
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t seen it?” Harry arched a brow.
“Who?” Robert asked while looking to Tucker then Duke sitting over at the other table.
Harry laughed and sat in his chair while Robert grumbled and made his way over to the next table where he was assigned. He stepped up to his assigned seat and looked to see who was beside him. “Violet.” He smiled happily.
“Hello, Robert.” She smiled back.
“You look lovely.” He looked at her turquoise dress.
“Thank you. You look well.”
“Thank you.” He bowed his head. As someone stepped up on the other side of him, he turned his gaze to see who it was. He felt the pleasure down to his toes as he stared at Alyssum. She gave him a guarded look but smiled at Violet.
“I don’t get a smile?” he asked in mock hurt.
Alyssum twitched her lips at him then looked over to Lilly’s table. Lilly was already watching her and when their gazes caught she gave Alyssum a wink. Alyssum shook her head at her.
Lunch went quickly. Robert spoke to Violet while Alyssum kept to herself. Afterwards most people stood and moved around the terrace. Robert excused himself and walked over to Harry and Tucker.
“He did it on purpose,” Violet said as she watched Alyssum watching Robert.
“Pardon?” Alyssum turned her attention to Violet.
“He only spoke to me to annoy you.”
“Oh, I don’t mind.” Alyssum looked over the crowed and spotted Lilly. She smiled then stood from her chair and walked over to her friend.
“You are in so much trouble,” she muttered when she stood beside Lilly.
“Did you enjoy lunch?” Lilly asked with a sweet, innocent smile.
Alyssum shook her head at her. Lilly laughed then gasped as she caught sight of something behind Alyssum. “How dare he?” she whispered in anger.
Alyssum turned and found Jackson standing with Harry, Robert and Tucker.
“He declined the invite.”
“He does this sometimes,” Alyssum said.
“He’s not getting away with this.” Lilly marched over towards Jackson.
Alyssum laughed softly as she saw Lilly speaking quickly with an angry flush in her cheeks. Turning her gaze from the argument she walked to the edge of the terrace. With a look around she made her way to the stairs and walked down. The further she walked the quieter it became. She walked around the large hedge that blocked the party from her sight and found a beautiful white gazebo standing tall. She smiled and walked towards it.
Robert stepped around the hedge and stopped. Alyssum stood in the gazebo with her back facing him. He stared at the back of her elegant neck. Her black curls were pinned up, not a curl out of place. He remembered a time when she had always worn it out. Her nanny had run around the house trying to catch her and pin her hair up like a proper lady.
With a smile on his lips, he looked at the lady she had become. Beautiful, elegant, graceful, nothing like the girl he had once known and loved. But still loved. After all this time, he was still in love with Alyssum. The girl he had fallen in love with at eighteen.
Ten years ago
After the funeral of the former Viscount Lambert, Robert lounged on the chaise lounge in his father’s precious office. With his boot-clad feet up on the lounge and
a bottle of brandy in his hand, Robert was completely relaxed and happy for the first time in this house.
A scuffle outside the door had him turning his head.
“Sod off!”
Robert smiled as he heard Alyssum’s voice cursing on the other side off the door. There was a grunt then a yelp and then the door swung open. Herbert, his father’s butler, hopped on one foot as he held the other. Alyssum ran into the room and slammed the door shut.
“He wouldn’t let me in,” Alyssum said as she pointed her thumb behind her at the door. Still garbed in a black gown from the funeral, Alyssum shoved Robert’s feet off the chaise and sat down.
“What are you doing?” She looked at the crystal bottle in his hand.
“Want some?” He offered her the bottle.
Alyssum cringed and shook her head. Robert took a drink from the bottle.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly.
Robert groaned. “People need to stop asking me that.”
“Sorry.” Alyssum placed a loose curl behind her ear.
“Does your father know you’re here?”
Alyssum shrugged, which caused Robert to smile. “Guess not,” he said and took a drink.
“Robert, why are you drinking?”
“I’m celebrating. My father’s dead.” He raised the bottle then took a large swallow before lowering it with a cringe.
Alyssum reached out and took the bottle from his hand. Too drunk to care, Robert just smiled.
Alyssum placed the bottle on the floor. “Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s still light outside.”
Robert turned his head behind him to the window. The sky was pink as the afternoon sun slowly faded. He looked back to Alyssum. “I can’t really walk,” he told her with a guilty look.
“Robert, I know your father wasn’t very nice, but you shouldn’t be behaving like this.”
“I shouldn’t, should I? Not a very nice man. You have no idea what kind of man he was.”
“I’ve lived next door to the man my whole twelve years.”
“Well, I’ve had eighteen years with the prick.”
“Robert,” Alyssum gasped at his language.
“Oh, you’re worse.”
“Am not.” She stood with her hands on her hips.
Robert smiled up at her, loving how cute she looked when she was angry.
“Come on, get up.” Alyssum reached out and grabbed his arm. She tugged on his arm until he grumbled and stood. He swayed against her and her arms dove around him to hold him up. Her hands smacked against his back.
“Oww,” he howled and pulled away from her.
“What?” Alyssum stared at him with wide, frightened eyes. “What did I do? I only touched your back.”
Robert turned white and sat back on the chaise. He only wore his black breeches and boots with a white shirt that wasn’t tucked in.
“Robert?” Alyssum sat beside him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “You can tell me anything.”
Robert smiled softly. Slowly raising his hands, he began unbuttoning his shirt. Alyssum took her hand back and watched him curiously. “What are you doing?” She arched a brow in confusion.
“Showing you something,” he muttered and pulled the shirt off his shoulders.
Robert stood from the chaise and turned his back to her. He winced as he heard her horror-filled gasp.
“What happened?” she demanded as she stood. “Who did this to you?” She stared at the raw, red whip lashes over the expanse of Robert’s back.
“Who do you think?” he turned back around and shrugged his shirt back on. He didn’t bother re-buttoning it.
“But…” Alyssum shook her head. “He was your father.”
“He believed in harsh punishments.” He leant down and grabbed the bottle off the floor. “Treading mud on the Persian rug in the foyer was not acceptable,” he slurred in anger then moved to take another gulp of liquor.
“Stop that.” Alyssum snatched the bottle from him.
“Give that back.” He reached for the bottle but she pulled her arm away, keeping him from it. “Alyssum,” he warned.
Alyssum stared at him with stubborn eyes then smiled.
“What are you thinking?” he asked cautiously. She raised the bottle high then threw it at the wall. It shattered with a loud smash. Robert stared at the broken glass then looked back at her. “Are you insane?” he breathed.
Alyssum laughed. “Join me,” she said as she stepped over to Robert’s father prized book collection. She grabbed the priceless books and threw them to the floor. She grabbed one, opened it then ripped out a page. She turned to see Robert staring wide eyed at her. He hadn’t even been allowed to touch those books. “Not even a little tempted?” she asked, then shredded another page. “What’s he going to do?” She ripped another page, throwing it carelessly behind her.
Robert slowly began to smile. He stepped towards her and took the book from her hand. Without words, they began tearing the office to shreds. Torn books lined the floor. His father’s mahogany desk was on its side and its contents were spilled over the floor.
They laughed while destroying the room. Robert turned his head to see Alyssum throw a book into the wall.
“Now what?” She panted as she surveyed the room.
“Dinner.” He looked down at her then laughed as he found them both breathless.
Alyssum shook her head. “It’s not enough,” she muttered and stepped over the wreckage.
“What do you mean, it’s not enough?” Robert asked laughing. He had thought to make himself happy by drinking, but in the end all he’d needed was Alyssum. “The place is a mess. My father would be screaming in rage and demanding punishment.”
“He’s never going to hurt you again.”
Robert raised his brows at how angry she sounded. She was practically growling. He frowned as he watched her lean down and pick up a match box.
“Alyssum,” he warned.
She turned and shook the box in her hand with a smile.
“That’s not funny,” he said, but laughed at the same time.
Walking to the corner of the room, Alyssum picked up another bottle of liquor and dropped it on the ripped pages. The liquor spilled from the bottle and ran onto the paper.
“Alyssum,” Robert snapped. “Don’t.” He pointed a finger at her in warning. “We’ve done enough.”
“If he thinks he can hurt you and not be punished in return, he’s got another thing coming to him,” she said and pulled a match out of the box.
“Alyssum, the man’s dead. That’s his punishment.”
“Not good enough.” She whipped the match over the side of the box and lit it.
“Alyssum, put that out.”
Alyssum looked up to him and smiled as she dropped the match onto the floor.
Robert jumped forward, but it was too late. The match hit the liquor-coated paper and it went up in flames. Alyssum jumped back with a squeak of surprise. Robert reached her side and yanked her to him.
“Wow, that was quick,” Alyssum said as the flames suddenly grew. Robert watched them travel over the rest of the pages. He looked down to his feet and saw he and Alyssum were standing on paper.
“Robert.” He could hear the fear in her voice as she noticed the flames were moving too quickly. She jumped as the late Viscount Lambert’s mahogany desk went up in a blaze. She grabbed Robert’s hand and clutched tight. He held her hand as he moved them backwards. He looked through the flames and saw the door. “Herbert!” he shouted over the roar of the fire.
Soon enough the door opened and Herbert jumped back with fright as flames came towards him. “Fire!” he shouted and ran for help.
Robert looked down and saw the fire was getting closer. “Shit,” he whispered.
“Don’t swear,” Alyssum muttered as she also stared at the fire approaching them.
“Now’s not the time to scold me, Alyssum.”
“It’s always a good time.”
Robert
turned as they bumped into the window. He released her hand and pushed against it. He cursed when he found it was jammed. Robert turned and scanned the room quickly. He saw a large book untouched by the flames lying on the floor. Running over, he scooped it up before the flames caught it. Alyssum brought her arms up over her face as he threw the book at the window and shattered the glass.
Without thought, he grabbed Alyssum and threw himself along with her out the window.
They landed in a hedge below. Robert rolled out of the hedge then pulled Alyssum out. They both looked up and saw the flames billowing out the window.
“Oops,” Alyssum said while staring up.
Robert rubbed his forehead in shock. He was still reeling over what had just happened.
Turning his gaze down, he looked at Alyssum then laughed.
“What?” Alyssum looked at him.
“You’re a mess,” he laughed and pulled a twig from her unraveling hair.
Sudden shouts turned their gazes.
“Father,” Alyssum said to herself and moved around the house.
Robert followed after her, his shirt still hanging open.
“You can’t go in there,” they heard Herbert yell.
“Alyssum,” her father shouted.
“Liss,” Harry called out after her father.
She ran along the house, came to the front and called out to them. They turned their heads towards her voice and sighed in relief. Harry then looked behind her at Robert.
“I’m going to kill you.” Harry charged at Robert.
Robert moved backwards and held his hands out.
“You two,” a commanding voice froze Robert, Alyssum and Harry. “What in the world happened?” James Rosewood demanded. His usual smiling face was stern, his blue eyes livid. He planted his hands on his lean hips. “Well?”
“It was my fault,” Robert spoke up. “I was drinking. It was stupid. I lit a fire and it got out of hand. I’m sorry.”
Alyssum chewed her bottom lip. Her father turned his gaze to her and saw through the lie.
“Home. Now,” he spoke quietly to Alyssum.
Alyssum nodded.
Robert watched Alyssum retreating over the grass, her father following behind her.
Scarlet Kisses Page 13
