“They left town. They went back to their country estate.”
“Oh.”
“Sir,” a maid called from the top of the stairs. Robert and Jackson both looked up. “Your traveling bag is ready,” she said, out of breath.
“Thank you.”
“Going somewhere?” Jackson asked.
“She thinks she can run from me.”
“Alyssum always seemed like a runner.”
Robert mumbled in agreement then frowned. He turned his gaze to Jackson and stared at him in question.
Jackson chuckled. “Took you long enough to figure it out.”
“You knew it was her?”
“I wasn’t sure until the night at the theatre.”
Robert shook his head, taking it all in. “But when—”
“Maybe we could talk on the way?” Jackson asked.
“On the way?” Robert frowned.
“I wouldn’t mind visiting the countryside, see what the fuss is about.” Jackson grinned.
Five minutes later, Robert and Jackson were galloping out of town, their horses leaving a dust cloud behind them.
“Alyssum?”
Alyssum looked up from her gardening.
“Are you being careful?” Violet asked as she approached Alyssum where she worked on the rose bush at the side of the house.
“Yes.” Alyssum smiled even though her finger still ached as it healed underneath her work gloves
“Mother said it’s time for you to come in. Dinner will be served soon and you should wash up.” Violet looked at Alyssum dirt-smudged face.
Alyssum sighed as she stood and picked up the basket of cut roses and her tools.
“How have you been?” Violet asked as they walked towards the back entrance of the house. “You’ve been quiet since our return yesterday.”
“I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
“Like a certain viscount?”
Alyssum laughed quietly as they stepped into the house and closed the door behind them.
“We’ve been back for a whole day and…”
“And he’s not here,” Violet finished for her. “He may have wanted to give you some time.”
Alyssum shrugged and placed her basket of roses on the kitchen bench.
“I have to go get ready for dinner.” Alyssum walked by Violet and up the kitchen stairs.
That night during dinner, Harry, Violet, Alyssum and Caroline kept turning their gazes to the gossiping maids in the corner. They spoke quickly and quietly, sometimes giggling.
When they both suddenly giggled louder, Harry exhaled and turned his gaze to them.
“What is it?” he asked them.
When the maids saw it was Harry who had spoken, they both fell silent and stood straight against the wall.
“Speak!”
“Ladies, if you please,” Caroline said gently.
The short one out of the two stepped up and bobbed in a curtsey. “Ah, there was news from the Lambert estate.”
Alyssum and Violet both shared a glance across the table then looked back to the maid.
“What is it?” Harry asked now appearing concerned.
“Viscount Lambert was spotted by the gardener riding towards his estate. Another gentleman was with him, but what caught the gardener’s attention was how fast they were riding.” The maid became louder and more excited. “He said it was like they were running from the devil himself.”
“Thank you, Bethany.” Caroline nodded. “So Robert has returned to the country. Any ideas on why?”
Harry shook his head while a crease furrowed his brow.
Alyssum looked up to Violet and watched as she smiled at her brightly. She felt like she was going to faint. Maybe Robert just wanted to visit the countryside. Maybe there was something wrong with his estate and he had to return quickly. Or was he here for her? That thought made her belly flutter with nerves and her body warm.
“I hope nothing’s wrong,” Caroline said. “Harry, did Robert say anything that would cause worry?”
“Uh, no,” Harry muttered then concentrated on the food before him.
Caroline frowned then took a sip of wine from her glass.
The table was silent and even the maids held their tongues. Alyssum ate mechanically while her mind pulled her to her room and under her bed where a white box lay hidden, taunting her.
That night, after excusing herself, Alyssum lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She felt her whole world spinning. She saw her masked gentlemen kissing her on the balcony, Robert revealing himself. She remembered how she’d wanted to kiss him every time she’d seen him or spoken to him, then finally kissing him at the tavern. Out of all those events, what burned in her mind the most was the afternoon in the gazebo at Lilly’s luncheon. There had been no masks, no hiding. They had just kissed, as Alyssum and Robert.
Chapter Twelve
Back and forth. Back and forth. Alyssum treaded over the soft grass beneath her feet in long strides. Her mind had been reeling but was now blank. All that her mind said was, back and forth, back and forth. Don’t think of Robert, just think of the grass beneath your feet and walking over it.
It was now midday and there was still no sign of Robert.
“Harrumph.” Alyssum stomped her foot and stopped pacing. The house was out of sight from where she stood in the trees separating the Leighton estate and the Lambert’s. She faced the house and thought of going back. He may have come. But he usually rode or walked through his estate and onto theirs. He didn’t take the main road. She took a deep breath, hefting her chest then exhaling loudly.
“Something on your mind?”
A wave of warmth and lust washed over her body and settled low in her belly. Robert.
Taking another breath, she turned slowly and faced him. His usual rumpled appearance caused her cravings to spiral out of control. His cheeks were darkened with stubble and she yearned to kiss his soft lips.
“Good morning,” she managed to say.
A grin curved his lips. He looked down as he took a step forward then brought his gaze back to hers. The amusement in his eyes slipped away as he stared at her. “Why did you leave?”
Alyssum felt she couldn’t breathe under his dark gaze. His voice was low, alluring.
“Harry wanted to return,” she informed him.
“And you couldn’t stay with your mother and sister?”
“We all wanted to return.”
“Terrible liar,” he muttered as he dropped his gaze to the ground and took another step forward. As he raised his eyes and caught hers again, he asked, “Why…did you leave?”
He was getting too close. “I don’t like the city,” she answered.
“You should have come to me. I would have persuaded you to stay.”
“It was a sudden decision.”
“One that was made the same day you kissed me.”
“You kissed me,” she argued.
“You kissed me first.” His grin came back and he took another step forward. He now stood before her, the toes of his boots an inch from her walking boots. “Have you forgotten that?” he asked. “I haven’t. It was very sweet and not at all innocent.”
“If you’re trying to say I’m not an innocent then I suggest we go to the house and you can say that again in front of Harry.”
Robert laughed, his eyes lightening. “Well played,” he murmured. “How’s the forehead?” He raised his hand to move her fringe aside. Alyssum batted his fingers aside.
“It’s fine.”
“Knocked it in the kitchen, eh?”
“Yes.”
“You sure about that? Are you sure you didn’t sneak into The Dove at night, go into a room…and wait for me?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Tsk, tsk. Terrible liar.” He moved fast. His step took up the space between them and then his arms were around her waist, lifting her. He set her down on a fallen tree. Her face was now level with his. Hands on either side of her thighs, he leaned in, his face close to hers.
Alyssum sat frozen as she stared at him.
“I’m not letting you move from this spot till you tell me the truth.”
Her mouth remained stubbornly shut.
“You bought a dress. I assume that’s how it all began?”
Alyssum’s eyes widened a degree as he spoke.
“Tricked your family by faking a headache then came to Lady Brook’s ball in a scarlet gown. Am I getting close?” He moved nearer, his breath fanning her lips as his eyes burned into hers with the want for truth. “Turned my world upside down with a kiss then kneed me in a very unladylike manner.”
Alyssum swallowed.
“You want your garter back…Scarlet?”
Alyssum gasped then oh so slowly shook her head.
“Why did you do it?” he asked quietly. Alyssum’s mouth moved but no words came.
“Did you know it was me?” he asked.
She shook her head again.
“Why did you come to the tavern?” he asked in a low voice.
Robert had wanted the answer to that question ever since he had known it Alyssum was Scarlet, ever since he had kissed her in the gazebo.
“Why did you come to the tavern?” he asked louder, firmer. She remained silent.
At Lady Brook’s she had kissed a masked stranger and when he had revealed himself she had kneed him, not unveiled herself. But then she had come to The Dove. She had come to him.
He needed her to tell him why.
“Alyssum, why did you come to the tavern?” he asked. “Why?” he shouted when she remained silent.
“Because I wanted to kiss you again,” she shouted and then went silent. Her mouth closed, eyes wide in horror at the slip of her tongue.
Robert exhaled on a laugh. He raised his hand from the tree and gripped her nape, bringing her closer to him. “You could have just asked,” he whispered against her lips.
“You wanted Scarlet,” she spoke sadly. “Not Alyssum.”
Robert smiled. “Alyssum, you are Scarlet.”
Alyssum dropped her eyes to his lips.
“Do you want to ask me something now?” he asked.
“No,” she murmured while staring at his mouth.
“Liar,” he chuckled then moved in. He brushed his lips over hers then moved away. Alyssum swayed forward. Robert grinned and moved forward again, brushing her lips with his. He lost himself in her kiss. He tightened his hand on her nape and slanted his mouth firmly over hers. He felt her gasp then reach up her hands and hold his shoulders. She arched her back, pushing herself against him. Her mouth met his, ever demanding. Ravenous, they kissed with complete abandon.
“Aw, you two made up,” a voice reached them through the pleasure.
Alyssum shoved Robert’s chest and he moved back with a groan of reluctance.
Robert turned with a hard glare and stared at Jackson. “I’m so glad you chose to tag along.”
“Me too.” Jackson grinned. “Alyssum.” He winked at her flushed face.
Robert felt Alyssum squirming behind him as she tried to slip off the tree. He turned and helped her down and she took a step back while brushing off her green day dress.
“Or should I call you Scarlet?” Jackson asked.
“Jackson,” Robert warned.
“Alyssum it is. So did you accept Robert’s proposal?”
Robert’s eyes popped wide, as did Alyssum’s.
Robert glared at Jackson fiercely. His glare promised pain. Jackson smiled.
Robert had announced last night that he wanted to marry Alyssum. After a few drinks, Jackson had gotten him to slip out more information about how much he wanted and always had wanted Alyssum, even knowing Harry would kill him for lusting after his sister.
“What?” Alyssum asked.
“What?” Jackson asked with an obviously fake look of confusion on his face.
Robert turned to Alyssum and cleared his throat.
Alyssum’s eyebrows rose high. The man had jumped off a bridge and into the Thames half naked. He wasn’t scared of anything. And yet he was nervous about voicing his next words.
“Alyssum.” He cleared his throat again. “I would like to speak to you alone.”
Alyssum looked over to Jackson who winked and nodded.
Robert placed his arms behind his back and hid the fact he was clutching his hands for dear life.
Alyssum felt dizzy. First his kiss then a certain proposal. How could they expect her to stand? Was the proposal marriage? What else would it be? He wouldn’t dare offer her to be his mistress, not if he liked bedding women.
“Um,” was all she was able to say. She was stunned.
“Robert,” Harry shouted, suddenly appearing over the lawn.
Robert swung around and watched as Harry approached them. “Harry.” He nodded to his best friend.
“Jackson,” Harry said surprised as he saw him. “What are you doing in the country?”
“I thought I would get some fresh air.”
Harry frowned but nodded. “Alyssum, Mother’s looking for you.”
“Oh.” She skirted her gaze to Robert then back to Harry. “Now?”
“Yes.”
Alyssum nodded then slowly walked by Robert and then Harry on her trip back to the house.
“I was on my way to see you,” she heard Harry tell Robert.
Alyssum closed the front door and fell back on to it with a puff of breath.
“You look utterly flushed, my dear,” Caroline announced as she walked out of the front parlor and into the foyer. “Long walk?”
“Yes,” Alyssum exhaled then stood away from the door. “Harry said you were looking for me.”
“Yes, you were nowhere to be found. I was worried.”
“I woke up early and decided to go for a walk. It’s good to be back in the country.” She smiled.
“I’m sorry I interrupted your walk.”
Alyssum shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
Caroline smiled then walked back into the front parlor. When her mother was out of sight, Alyssum walked quickly towards the library. She entered and closed the doors behind her.
Hearing the library door close, Violet poked her head over the first shelf.
“Alyssum.”
Alyssum turned around and frowned when she could not see Violet. She looked up and found her.
“Come down,” Alyssum waved impatiently.
Violet made a noise of irritation but disappeared behind the shelf as she walked down the ladder.
Alyssum waited with a franticly beating heart until Violet reappeared.
“What’s the matter?” Violet asked as she walked around the bookshelf and sat on a leather high back chair. “You’re all red,” she said.
Alyssum exhaled and sat herself beside Violet. They turned in their seats to look at one another.
“What have you been up to, Alyssum?” Violet asked suspiciously.
“I was walking, then I saw Robert.”
Violet nodded.
“He definitely knows.”
“That you’re Scarlet.”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s about time,” Violet gushed and leant back on her seat.
“We…um…we…” Alyssum chewed her bottom lip.
“Did you kiss him again?”
Alyssum nodded.
“Is that why you’re red?”
“I don’t know,” Alyssum exclaimed frantically. “I just am.” She placed her hands on her burning cheeks.
“Okay. Calm down.” Violet urged her.
“Mr. West saw us.”
“Jackson?”
“Mr. West.”
Violet rolled her eyes.
“Don’t do that. It’s rude.”
Violet rolled her eyes again and Alyssum exhaled sharply.
“Alyssum, deep breaths,” Violet recommended. “Now tell me what’s wrong?”
Alyssum took a deep long breath then exhaled. “Mr. West mentioned something about a proposal,” she excl
aimed.
Violet stared at her, looking confused.
“After he caught me and Robert…” Alyssum was at a loss for words so she decided to skip that part. “He asked if I’d accepted Robert’s proposal. What could that mean?”
“It could mean many things. First of all, remain calm.”
Alyssum nodded quickly.
“I see by the look on your face you’re thinking marriage.”
“Well, what kind of other proposals are there?”
“Business.”
“Business?”
“Yes.”
“Why would Robert want to propose a business deal with me?”
Violet shrugged. Alyssum calmed down and frowned as she thought about different proposals.
“What if he does want to propose marriage?”
“Violet, you’re not helping.”
“Well, would it be so bad to marry Robert?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Violet demanded.
“You know Robert. He would want to live in London and I want to live here where it’s quiet. Robert loves crowds and soirées. I hide in quiet spots at soirées. And we all know his reputation with women. He would never remain faithful to one woman.” Alyssum huffed in anger.
Violet stared quietly. “But we don’t know what he would do for love.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted your reading,” she said before she stood and walked from the library.
Alyssum dragged her feet as she climbed the stairs and made her way to her room.
Sitting on the edge of her bed slowly, she stared ahead at nothing as she thought about Violet’s question. What if he does want to propose marriage?
What if he did? Would she say yes? No? Maybe?
Did she want to marry Robert? He drove her insane. They fought constantly. They would kill each other.
Alyssum dropped back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. She thought about the times they snipped at each other. She had always felt exhilarated and alive while insulting him. He was able to make her feel happier and more beautiful than anyone had ever tried to accomplish. She loved him.
Alyssum sat up bolt straight. “Blimey,” she gasped. Yes. If Robert proposed marriage she would say yes. And she would keep him forever, for herself, never to share him with another.
Alyssum exhaled then stood. Her gaze lowered to under the bed where the white box filled with the scarlet gown lay. With a small smile tugging the corners of her lips, she walked over to the bell pull and called Meg.
Scarlet Kisses Page 15
